I kind of wanted to ask them about Elio, but I knew that I couldn’t put that sort of energy out there at this point. They were gossips, even if gently when it was something harmless, and I didn’t want to sound… desperate.
Because I realized it now: the way I was feeling about Elio was a reflection of my own failures and those of Master Carl’s.
We ended up staying for a while longer, but I could tell it was pretty taxing for Luke to be around so many people. It seemed as if everyone liked him a lot and wanted to at least greet him. By the time we were leaving, we’d been told that we both needed to come to more events and that munches at Lila’s weren’t optional.
Since it had stopped raining and we’d both eaten quite a bit, I suggested we walk back. Sun was starting to shine through the clouds as we meandered toward Luke’s place.
“Do you want to see my shop?” he asked suddenly. “It’s not on the way, but if we loop around here, it’s another ten minutes or so?”
I nodded eagerly, I really wanted to see where he worked. It was so cool that he owned his own business, as I couldn’t really even imagine being that responsible. Having staff and all? Terrifying. I could just about handle my own freelancing work.
“How many people do you have working for you?” I asked, because if we’d talked about it, I couldn’t remember.
“I have my right-hand person, Sara who is also a piercer, and they own a small percentage of the place now. I have an apprentice called Zain who recently started to do smaller pieces by himself, and then three chairs I rent out to whomever needs them.”
“Are all of them rented out?”
“Yeah, they tend to be at all times. There’s no time limit on them either, so it’s nice to know that there’s always people coming in if someone else leaves.”
We stopped at a crosswalk and waited for the light. “Who do you have there now?”
After we crossed, Luke replied, “I have Georgia, she’s been around for a few months now. Then there’s Bobby who’s basically a fixture by now, been there for maybe… five years? And then Rico who started renting the chair almost two years ago.”
I felt an odd secondhand pride suddenly. “Must be great to have people want to stay like that.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, it is nice to have a business where I know people feel at home.”
We chatted about nothing important for the rest of the walk. We got to a section of the neighborhood where there were plenty of older buildings where most of them had businesses at street level and what looked like apartments above them. There, nestled between a café and a very hip salon, was Magpie Ink.
I stopped in front of the old-timey looking windows. That was the best I could describe it. The design was gorgeous, and it didn’t seem like it was that sort of taped sticker thing like most businesses had.
“It’s painted. I have a friend who does these. Isn’t it gorgeous?” Luke beamed.
“It really is.” I smiled. “I love the stylized bird especially.”
“Come on, let’s go see who’s in today.” He went to open the door for me.
The sound of a bell above the door made me smile. A person with bright orange hair with an undercut on one side and piercings on their face beamed.
“Hey, boss!” they called out.
“Hey, Sara. This is my friend and roommate, Bear.”
I walked forward, feeling oddly shy as they held out their hand.
I took it and shook.
“Aww, aren’t you adorable,” they cooed, and I blushed even more.
Luke rolled his eyes. “Unhand him.”
Sara smirked and theatrically bowed as if to acquiesce to the command, but instead of letting my hand go, they kissed the back of it and winked rakishly.
I giggled.
“Okay, okay, let’s go.” Luke’s tone was playful, luckily, so as he grabbed my arm to pull me away, I knew he wasn’t upset in the least.
“Hey, you didn’t say he’s yours!” Sara called after us with laughter in their voice.
