But if I couldn’t find a proper artist to cover up my abomination, I’d bake to death in this heat. Spring had just started, and all of summer loomed ahead... Was I stuck wearing long-sleeved shirts forever?
“Are you done window shopping?” I asked Kiara, whose face was glued to the toy store window.
Kiara sighed dramatically. I wonder where she got that from.
“Yeah,” she said, pulling herself away from the giant teddy.
I took her hand and smiled. She was a smart kid and mature for her age. After splitting with her alpha father, I was on my own financially. We had food and a roof over our heads, but we didn’t have enough for frivolous purchases. Although I never told Kiara about our changed financial situation, she must’ve figured it out on her own and chose not to beg for toys she didn’t need.
But that didn’t mean we had zero spending money. As Kiara skipped by the toy store, she stopped and gasped at the shop next door.
“Daddy, look! It’s so pretty!” she cried.
I gazed into the window. Huge live plants decorated the front bay window, surrounding a small, delicate water fountain. I couldn’t see much beyond the green leaves except a few massage tables.
“Looks like a spa,” I commented.
Kiara grabbed my hand and gave me her best pair of puppy eyes. “Can we get our nails painted? Please?”
I smiled at her. She never asked for much, and we could definitely afford a couple manicures. After all the stress, a father-daughter day at the spa sounded perfect.
“Oh, what the heck.” I shrugged. “Why not?”
Kiara’s face brightened. “Yay!”
I cast a quick glance at the shop’s sign before heading inside. There was a coat of arms featuring an animal, which was odd for a spa, but I paid it no mind. As soon as we stepped in, it was obvious how clean and professional the store was. Soft, unobtrusive music played in the background, and the air smelled fresh because of all the plants. An instant sense of peace and calm washed over me.
The spa looked empty. If that was the case, it was my and Kiara’s lucky day. We’d have the place all to ourselves.
There was nobody at the counter, so I called out, “Hello?”
“Just one moment!” a male voice called gently from behind a divider.
Kiara tugged impatiently on my sleeve. “I wanna get pink. Ooh, or purple! Or blue... Can I get both?”
“You can get all three if you want,” I said.
She beamed excitedly.
“Sorry for the wait,” the man said.
Then he appeared at the front counter, and I went breathless.
He was a tall alpha with messy black hair. He wore a simple black T-shirt that showed off his biceps... and his double tattoo sleeves. They ran all the way from his shoulders to his wrists. I stared at them in awe. Unlike my unattractive blob, his tattoos were pure works of art.
And so was he.Damn. He might’ve been the sexiest man I’d ever seen in my life. I couldn’t believe such a gentle voice came from this movie star hottie.
The man paused, looking me over. He blinked slowly, as if dazed.
I must’ve looked so stupid standing there gawking at him. I needed to say something.
“H-hi,” I said.
That seemed to remind the hot guy how to speak. “Hello,” he said, smiling at both of us. “What can I do for you?”
I could think of a long list of things...
The dirty thought came to mind unbidden. I shoved it aside. “We—my daughter and me—we’re here for, um...”
