“Well, that…that is what the tattoo typically symbolizes. Rebirth,” I mutter.
Charlie and Hank give each other a look that I can’t, nor want, to understand. At the end of the day I need Hank’s signature, and Charlie provides my place to live, but each comewith expiration dates. I just need to be smart enough to make sure one doesn’t fuck up the other.
“Well, this sure is something.” Blake, the other artist in this shop comes up behind me.
Now, Blake, I like. He’s never once crossed over into creepy territory. No insults imaginarily tattooed on his forehead. He even covered for me a few months back so I could tattoo some turtles on Lucie’s arm.
“You know, I hate to steal Jensen, but I believe her time is officially fulfilled, and I’ve got someone up front wanting a nose piercing.”
Thank god. Thank god. Thank god.
I hold myself back from completely jumping out of the stool. “I’ll go take care of that, then loop back for that requirement form.”
Blake gives me a nod to lead the way to the front, and I gladly go because I know what he’s doing—he’s blocking the two withpervtattooed on their foreheads from checking me out as I walk away.
“Saved by the rebellious teenager wanting to disappoint her parents,” Blake whispers.
I wave him off. “A nose piercing is mild. They could do much worse.”
“God knows I did.” Blake keeps his voice low. “Just know, I’m betting she’s going to be a crier.”
“Joy,” I mutter, but I’d take an indecisive, low-pain-tolerance client over sitting for a second longer with those two.
And that is exactly what I get. Half an hour ofyes, thenno, then finally convinced the poor girl to just get her second ear piercing as a compromise.
“Think she’ll be back for more?” Blake turns slow circles in the office chair behind the desk tossing a ball mindlessly in the air as he goes.
I glance at the entry door where the freshly eighteen-year-old, parent-pleaser just walked out of. “Eh, another bad breakup or two and she might be back. Didn’t seem like she gets to make too many choices on her own merit, so I gotta give her some credit for at least following through with something.”
“Heads-up.” Blake shrugs then tosses the ball to me when the front door chimes again. “Well, double heads-up, Tally’s going to offer you a spot to work here. She’s coming up.” Blake hurries to stand as he whispers quickly. “If you don’t take it, I understand, but if you do, I’ll help run interference.”
“Jensen,” Tally sings behind me. “We’re officially up on your apprenticeship. I should’ve brought champagne!”
“Yep, all done.” I turn around with the best customer service, happy to see you, bullshit face I can manage. My smile bares a little authenticity when I take in Tally’s outfit. Cheetah print tank top, tight leather pants, and truly kick-ass boots. She ties it all together with oversized hoops, and chunky brown highlights in her bleach-blonde hair.
Her outfits are always over the top and tacky, but she loves it. And, in an odd way, it suits her so well that I don’t think any other style of clothing would look right on her.
“Here’s that letter stating you completed your requirements. You can just take your cute ass down to the health department so you can be all legal and what not. I was thinking you could start next week, maybe match your walk-in hours to Hank’s in case you need any help.”
Wonderful. Not a job offer, a job told. With Tally’s blunt personality, I can’t quite tell if this is just her being her, or a form of bullying to get me to stay here, but it’s not happening. I refuse to work next to Hank a second longer.
“I appreciate the offer, Tally. I really do, but I’m going to have to pass on this position right now.”
Tally’s overdrawn eyebrows pull together. “You don’t want to work here? After all the time you just put in?”
“Not what I said. It’s nothing personal.”To her, technically…just her husband.“I think it would be good for me to branch out, that’s all.”Not a complete lie.“You all have fully booked clientele—I’ve been here two years and the only walk-ins we get are for piercings and the occasional drunk who stumbles in with a random tattoo idea.”
Tally starts to nod in an overly exaggerated way. “I hear you, I hear you—don’t want to work here, that’s fine. You got what you needed. Enjoy figuring it out on your own.” Tally walks toward the back, not giving me any option to respond.
Not that I was going to. I don’t need her approval, I just need this paper and my “cute ass” is out the door.
I click my tongue and bend down to grab all my files. “Could’ve gone worse,” I say, because I know Blake was listening.
“Yeah, could have told her you hated her outfit.” Blake sits back down in the office chair. “What’d you do with my ball?”
I let out an amused huff as I bring my plastic file organizer up on the counter, then toss his ball back. “I’m sure she’s telling him everything now, so I’m going to make a quick escape before it gets worse. If you find anything of mine, can you?—”
I trail off as Blake waves me off. “I got you, now go on. Run while you still can.”
