I hum in understanding. “What about your other partner?”
“Pearl,” Tilly says with a grin. “She’s a type of fae and works at a restaurant that specializes in fairy type meals. It’s a spot that lots of vampires frequent because she makes a mean bowl of bloop.”
I tilt my head to the side. “What’s bloop?”
“Blood soup,” Tilly explains with a chuckle. “We’re an interesting trio but I wouldn’t have it any other way. When you find your people, you do everything you can to stick together. Everything, even the hard parts of life, feel just a little bit easier when you’re not facing it alone.”
“I know exactly what you mean.”
“I know you do,” she says with a wink. “It’s almost like my magical tattoo actually had a meaning,” she says, teasing me.
Just then, the bell above the door goes off, letting us know someone is entering the parlor. I look over, a smile spreading across my face at the sight of my mate.
“Oh, wow,” Tilly says under her breath. “You aresoin love with that man.”
I’m startled by Tilly’s words. I look at her, raising my brow. “Well duh! He’s my soulmate! You know that.”
“I know, but seeing it is something else entirely. That type of happiness looks good on you, Jin.”
Leo walks over to us, our egg strapped to his chest in a wrap. He’s been taking our egg with him to work and when we get home, the egg goes in the nest with us. It’s been working out really well for us.
“I hope it’s okay that I came early,” Leo says, looking at the tattoo across my chest. I thought about surprising him but I like that he’s getting to see it while Tilly works on it.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I tell him with a smile. “You can help distract me because ouchie!”
“I warned you,” Tilly says under her breath. If she wasn’t using permanent ink on my skin I’d kick her.
“It’s beautiful,” Leo says, his pretty brown eyes misty with unshed tears. “Your art is so incredible, Tilly and it looks so good right there, Jin. I love it.”
“Good,” I say, reaching out and taking his hand. “I loveyou.” Leo’s cheeks flame. I’ll never grow tired of seeing him blush. “How was work?”
“Really good!” Leo says, perking up. “I have some very exciting news!”
“Oh yeah?” Tilly asks, looking up at him for a moment before going back to tattooing.
“I’ve been promoted!”
“Wait, really? That’s amazing, Leo!” I say, excited but doing my best to stay still. “I knew your boss would see how well you’ve been doing lately.”
“He said that finding my mate must have settled me because I’m more focused at work,” Leo says, looking a bit embarrassed. I don’t understand why though. He should be nothing but excited.
“I talked to my boss as well,” I tell him softly. “Once the baby has hatched, I’m going to go on paternal leave and when I come back, I’ll just work a couple hours a week so that I can stay home with the baby, just like how we talked about.”
“That’s perfect,” Leo says, squeezing my hand. I squeeze back but mostly because ouchie, ouchie, ouchie!
“You two are so cute,” Tilly says softly. “I’m so glad you found each other.” She looks up at me. “And figured your shit out.”
Leo giggles. “Mister ‘only I can have flaming wings’.”
“Exactly!” Tilly agrees with a snort. She wipes my chest one last time before sitting back. “Alrighty then, I think we’re all done, Jin.”
“Oh, thank Christ,” I say, my body slumping against the seat, making Tilly and Leo laugh.
As Tilly covers everything up and I get my shirt back on, Tilly keeps looking at our egg, smiling fondly.
“Your egg is beautiful,” Tilly says as she guides us over to the counter. “Their shell is so gorgeous. I hope you’ll keep it when they hatch.”
“That’s the plan,” I say with a nod, handing over my card so that I can pay for my ink. I really need to go home and ice my chest because, again, ouchie. I add a tip and take my card back. “Thank you again, Tilly. You’ve done another masterpiece.”
