“Sure am,” I say, doing my best to ignore the way Ryder’s thumb is still stroking my wrist.
“Good,” Jax grins. “Claire’s about to give her speech, and then the real party begins.”
As if summoned, Claire appears on the small stage at the front of the room, music fading away as she taps the microphone.
“Ladies and degenerates,” she smiles. “Welcome to Skin & Ink’s tenth anniversary party!”
Cheers erupt, and Ryder’s hand squeezes mine.
“Ten years ago, two young idiots with more talent than sense decided to open a tattoo shop,” Claire continues. Her gaze finds Ryder and Jax in the crowd. “One a former Marine with anger issues who couldn’t watch someone get their ears pierced without fainting?—”
“For fuck’s sake,” Ryder mutters with affection in his voice.
“—and the other was a college dropout who couldn’t even tattoo a fucking dot.”
Laughter ripples through the crowd as Jax nods and grins, raising his beer in affirmation.
“But somehow, against all odds, these two knuckleheads managed to build something special. Something that’s become more than just a business—it’s family.” Claire’s voice softens. “I’ve watched these two grow from talented but clueless apprentices into artists who change lives with their work. Amazing humans who help people to reclaim their bodies, tell their stories, and heal.”
The sincerity in her voice makes my throat tighten. These people, this place, what they’ve built together—what Ryder has built—is as real as it gets.
Claire raises her glass. “To Ryder and Jax, who turned a dump into a dynasty. To our clients, who trust us with their stories. And to ten more years of tattoos, inspiration, and insanity!”
The room erupts in cheers as everyone raises their glasses and Ryder slides his arm around my waist, pulling me close as he tips back his drink.
“Speech!” someone shouts from the crowd, and soon the entire room is chanting, “Speech! Speech!”
Ryder groans. “I hate speaking in public.”
“Go on,” I nudge him. “You’ve got this.”
With a resigned sigh, he squeezes my hip before making hisway to the stage. The crowd parts and I watch, mesmerized, as he takes the microphone from Claire.
“I’ll keep this short,” he says, voice deep and commanding. Then he clears his throat. “I’m not big on speeches.”
The crowd laughs, and I see his shoulders relax.
“A little over ten years ago, I was in a really bad place. Angry. Lost.” His eyes find mine across the room. “Claire took a chance on me when no one else would. Jax believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself.”
He pauses, clearing his throat. “Skin & Ink isn’t just a business. It’s home. It’s family. And every person in this room has been part of that in some form or another.”
The sincerity in his voice makes my chest ache. This is a side of him I’ve never seen—vulnerable, grateful, humble.
“So, thank you,” he continues. “For trusting us with your stories, your skin, and your friendship. Here’s to ten more years.”
The crowd erupts in applause as he hands the microphone back to Claire and steps off the stage. When he’s back by my side, I can’t help but smile up at him.
“That was beautiful,” I say softly.
“It was fucking terrifying,” he huffs, but his lips quirk up at the corners.
I look back at the crowd moving back onto the dance floor as the music starts up again.
My neck tingles and I glance up to find Ryder watching me.
“What?” I ask, suddenly self-conscious.
“I’m just... I’m glad you’re here.”
