As I take my position, I try to channel all the emotions I felt seeing Lizzy again at Sasha’s party. The shock. The longing. The regret. It’s not hard to tap into those feelings, especially after last night. They’re still raw, simmering just beneath the surface.
“Aaaannnd, action!”
The bell over the door jingles as I walk into the café. I scan the room, playing it casual, until my gaze lands on Alessandra, sitting in a corner booth with a book. Our eyes meet, and I freeze.
“Eliza?”
She looks up, shock registering on her face as she slowly closes her book. “Jake? What are you doing here?”
The scene unfolds, each line hitting a little too close to home. Then when Alessandra delivers her line—“You left without saying goodbye”—something inside me cracks.
“Cut!” Marcus calls. “That was good, but let’s do it again. Rowan, I need you to not look like a deer caught in headlights.”
Shifting back into actor mode, I narrow my focus.
We all manage to get through the next few hours unscathed.When Marcus tells me I’m good to go and that they won’t need me for the rest of the day, I don’t waste any time.
Forcing myself not to peel out of the parking lot, I head for the high school.
I could really use a good long swim right about now.
twenty-five
I swearI can still taste Rowan on my lips. The buzz of the tattoo gun grates on my ears, and it takes everything in me to focus on my work. Thank fuck this is my last appointment of the day.
Shifting slightly in my chair, I try to get more comfortable as I continue shading the delicate feather pattern on my client’s forearm. The monotonous buzz of the tattoo machine usually centers me, but today it just adds background noise to the chaos in my head.
“Doin’ okay over there, Lizzy?” Carter asks from his station. “You’ve been super quiet all day.”
“I’m fine,” I lie, keeping my eyes on my work. “Just concentrating.”
My client, a woman in her thirties getting her first tattoo, winces slightly as I hit a sensitive spot near her wrist. “Sorry,” I murmur, easing up on the pressure. “Do you need a break?”
“No worries. I’m good,” she says, offering me a brave smile. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks,” I nod, briefly returning her smile before refocusing my attention on the delicate lines and shading.
Normally, I’d be chatting with my clients, asking about their lives, sharing stories. But today, all I can think about is Rowan’s hands on my face. His lips on mine. The way my entire body instantly responded.
And then the shit about being his fake girlfriend. I knew he was looking for one. Hadn’t given it a second thought since my brother brought it up. At the time I couldn’t have cared less.
But now? Not so much.
The tattoo gun falters in my hand, and I quickly pull back, taking a deep breath.
“Doyouneed a break?” my client asks, a look of concern on her face.
“No, we’re almost done.” I dip my needle back into the ink. “Just another few minutes.”
As I finish wrapping it, I give her the usual aftercare instructions, my voice on autopilot while my mind races elsewhere.
“It looks amazing,” she grins, admiring her new ink.
“Glad you like it. Just make sure you follow the care instructions, and it should heal perfectly.”
After she’s gone, I slump back in my chair, finally allowing myself to exhale. I roll my shoulders, trying to release some of the tension that’s been building all day.
“Alright, what’s going on with you?” Carter exclaims, wheeling his chair over. “You’ve been distracted all day.”
