Stop picturing it, asshole!Swallowing thickly, I say, “I always wanted some, but let the ‘business professional’ bullshit stop me.”
“If you know it’s bullshit, why let it stop you? Especially since no one there ever sees anything more than your hands and face. Lots of hidden real estate.”
“Sometimes I roll my sleeves up when we have late nights,” I say defensively.
“Well, if I saw a tattoo or two on your arms, I wouldn’t out you in meetings, I promise.” She pinches the material at my wrist for a fraction of a second before letting go, cheeksflushed. But she doesn’t move away. Neither do I. “I can’t even begin to guess what you’d get if you let yourself,” she says.
The first thing that pops into my head is her name, but I’m not telling her that, so I just shrug and lie. “That’s probably a big factor in why I don’t have any. I’m not really sure what I would get.”
“When you find it, you’ll know.”
“Is that what happened with your dancer?”
“Pretty much. I was looking for dance art online and fell in love with it. My cousin’s a tattoo artist. She tweaked it for me, added the music notes, and reworked the colors.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Her cheeks darken as she blinks up at me. “I, uh… I should be getting home. Katie usually crashes not long after dinner.”
“Let me give you a ride home.”
“You don’t have to do that, Alex.”
“It’s dark, and you know I hate when you take public transportation after dark.”
The corner of her lip raises. “You hate when I take public transportation in broad daylight.”
My chin dips. “Yes, yes, I do.”
“Okay, fine.” She brushes past me on her way back to the living room, and I take a deep breath before following her. “Katie, do you need help getting into bed before I head out?”
“No, I’m fine. Make Alex give you a ride in that fancy car he has drive him around.”
Amelia laughs. “Don’t worry, he’s already offered. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“What are you making for dinner tomorrow night?” Katie asks.
“I was thinking chicken enchiladas.”
“Oh yes, please. Alex, you should come back for dinnertomorrow.” Katie smirks and winks at me when Amelia isn’t looking.
“Who can resist an invitation like that?” I ask.
“Night, Katie. I’ll lock the door behind me.”
Amelia pulls on her coat and grabs her purse. I hold open every door I can for her until we’re in the back of the car.
“Oh, help me remember to update the calendar tomorrow,” I say as the driver pulls away from the curb. “I’m taking a couple days off in August, too. Just toward the end of your vacation, if I remember correctly.”
Amelia pulls out her phone. “I can do it now. You always forget that there’s an app for it, which is ridiculous considering your company created it. What days?”
“I think the eighth and ninth. I have a wedding to attend as well.”
“Okay, I added it. You should be able to see it on yours now. If you ever remembered to check it, that is. Who’s getting married?”
“My daughter.”
She looks up from her phone. “Oh, that’s big news, Alex.”
