Noah’s been spending more time with Matt and Dane while I’ve been working. He hangs out with me at the library on Monday evenings for Reading with Dogs, but he gets bored easily.
I try to only be here on Tuesday through Saturday. Tuesday and Thursday are practice for Noah, and Saturday mornings are games, which works perfectly because they open later on Saturdays. Sundays are my days with Noah.
It seems like there are never enough hours in the day. I never thought my twenties would be spent shuffling a kid to soccer, working two jobs, and trying to make sure that I slept somewhere along the way.
Mila’s been after me to take Matt up on his offer for a date, but when would I have time? I already agreed to a hockey game, but he hasn’t brought it up again yet. I feel like the best years of my life are passing me by, and I’m just watching them go.
“Go ahead and see Cora. She’ll get you settled up, and don’t forget to use an unscented lotion on that. Here’s a sample of the brand we recommend.” Kash walks up with his most recent client.
I can’t hide my excitement when I take in the 3D design the guy has. It’s not my thing, but he has a giant spider on his neck. It’s notflat, though. It looks like it’s standing on tall legs at the top of his shoulder. It’s both creepy and cool at the same time.
“That looks amazing! It looks so real, I almost want to touch it,” I gush. “You’d better take care of that,” I say with a smile. “Kash does some really cool work.”
A big grin splits his face. “You’re right. He really does. I don’t remember you from the last time I was in. You wanna touch it?”
“I’m new,” I explain while running his card. “And honestly, I probably shouldn’t. Fresh ink and all.”It’d be weird for me to touch him, right?
“I don’t see any ink on you yet,” he says, his dark eyes moving over my body.
“Don’t have any. Haven’t found anything I want to be permanently on my skin, ya know?”
“So, there’s no boyfriend that you’d get a matching tattoo with?”
Before I can answer his question, a hand slams down on the counter. I didn’t see Atlas walk up with his client, but he has a harsh look on his face.
“There a problem?” he asks with a quirk of his eyebrow.
“No, no problem,” the guy tells Atlas. “Just talking to your pretty new receptionist.” He takes his card back from me and smiles. “Let me know if you decide you need someone to match ink with. I’m here frequently. I’m James.” He winks and turns around. “Later, Atlas.”
I watch as he walks out the door, then steal a glance back at Atlas. He’s glaring at James’ retreating form and once he’s out of eyesight, he turns his attention to me.
“That lousy fucker,” he mutters, an angry expression marring his face.
“Excuse me?”I can’t believe him.
“Nothing. Don’t let him flirt with you. Actually, don’t let any of these assholes flirt with you.”
I think he’s joking until I see how serious he is.
Atlas’ dark hair is shoved under a beanie, and between the scowlon his face, the dark swirls of ink that wind around his neck, and his dark sweatshirt, I suddenly wonder if it matches his soul.
“That’s not what happened. I wasn’t flirting.”
“Good. Keep it that way.”
“Um… can I check out now? Thanks again, Atlas. My girl is gonna love the colors.” His client looks between the two of us.Shit, I forgot he was there.“I’ll see you later, man. Nice to meet you, Cora.” He grabs his card and then quickly turns to leave.
Taking a deep breath, I try to think of one of the many mantras I repeat. I don’t know what it is about Atlas, but he seems to push all of my buttons. Nothing I do is ever right in the eyes of that gorgeous jerk.
I brought the guys coffee the other day after visiting Mara. He glared at everyone, then took all the drinks for himself to his station. I don’t know how he consumed that much caffeine without getting sick.
“Look here, Map Boy, I was not flirting with him. If you had paid attention, you would have heard me being friendly with him, as I am with most people. Well, everyone except you. Kash did a cool tattoo, and I was complimenting him on it—that’s all. I was being nice. Maybeyoushould try it,” I push out. No one has the right to talk down to me, boss or not.
“I can be nice,” he says after a moment.
“Could have fooled me.” I cross my arms over my chest. I don’t miss the way Atlas’ eyes travel to my chest briefly before snapping back to my face—typical man.
“Maybe you could—” He stops when my phone goes off. Matt’s name pops up on the screen, stealing my breath.Shit.He should still be at practice, so this can’t be good.
