I have to hold my breath to stifle a grunt as pain flares up in my shoulder. Carolina did a good job patching me up, but it still stings.
I need my emotional support thighs.
“Ready?” I ask, but his gaze is locked on Carolina.
“Hey,” she greets, giving him a smile.
It’s not genuine, more like a courteous customer service façade.
“Hey there,” he replies, resting his elbows on the counter and bending toward her. “And who are you, shorty?”
His tone is a bit too flirty for my taste, so I give him a slap on the bicep. “Definitely not your next lay. Let’s go. We don’t have all day.”
He chuckles and gives her a wink before following me to the back.
We make some small talk before I start the tattoo, and a few minutes in, the phone rings.
“Darkened Dermis, Carolina speaking, how can I help you?”
I smile to myself. My usual response is a simple “Hello,” but I guess that works too.
I eavesdrop on her side of the conversation, and she’s handling it like a pro.
About twenty minutes later, some people walk in looking for an appointment, and Carolina manages it all smoothly. She’s friendlier than I’ve ever seen her. With her in control, I can finally tune out the distractions and focus on the tattoo.
Hours must have passed,given how my neck feels.
I’ve lost track of time, lost in my work. Setting the tattoo gun aside to stretch and crack my neck, I stand, needing a break.
“Here, you should hydrate,” Carolina says, handing me a water bottle from the refrigerator in my office.
“Your little helper is a godsend, Xander. I need a break,” Jonah says.
“Sure,” I mutter as he gets up to use the restroom, already familiar with the place from previous tattoos.
“This is looking good,” Carolina says, looking at Jonah’s retreating back.
I glance at the clock. It’s already two, and now that I’m out of the zone, I realize how hungry I am.
“Would you mind grabbing us some subs from the place two doors down? You can use the cash in the register,” I ask her as Jonah returns.
“Jonah, what kind of sub?” I ask him.
“Cheese, please.”
“All right, two cheese subs and whatever you want. Thanks,” I tell her.
She nods and grabs her jacket on the way out.
As she leaves, I find my gaze following her perfect round ass. When I look up, I see Jonah doing the same.
“Off-limits,” I warn him, knowing he’s a fucking player.
“Oh, come on, you tapping that?” he asks.
“I’m not, but she’s still off-limits.” I grunt.
“So, youwantto tap that,” he teases.
