Beth took a step closer to Sarah, bringing her hand up to cradle Sarah’s cheek, thumb brushing over high cheekbones. “Well, love, consider marriage on the table for whenever we dodecide to get around to it. You’re stuck with me forever, whether there are rings involved or not.”
She leaned in and kissed Sarah, drawn-out and slow and purposeful, trying her best to reinforce her words.Forever. Forever with Sarah was the dream, and Beth was here living it. Sarah’s lips parted, a small groan filling the back of her throat as Beth slid her tongue along her lower lip.
“Ew.” Lily’s voice interrupted them. “I leave you two alone for five minutes, and you’re all over each other. And in public. I literally can’t take you two anywhere.”
Sarah grinned as Beth slid her arm around her waist, slipping her hand into the back pocket of Sarah’s jeans. “Where are we heading next, love?” Beth asked.
“Tattoos. Sabs was able to squeeze us in. I picked the design and everything.”
“We don’t get to choose our own?” Sarah asked cautiously.
“Trust me. You’ll love it, but let’s go. We need to be on the next ferry.”
An hour later, the three of them ducked into a small tattoo studio with high windows and black ceilings painted with intricate spider webs and large swaths of purple velvet hanging on the walls. A speaker in the corner pumped what appeared to be a heavy metal cover of a popular Taylor Swift song. A bubbly girl with bright eyes, black hair, and black lipstick greeted them as they entered.
“Hi, Sabs!” Lily said, holding the door for Beth and Sarah to pass through.
Beth had met Sabs a few times before, when she came to join Jamie while she had more elaborate pieces done.
“I love the purple,” Beth said excitedly. “I knew it was going to be awesome when you were describing it last time I was here, but wow. You were right, it really elevates the space.”
“I know, right? I’m obsessed,” Sabs said. “Okay, these are going to be quick. I’ve got a client coming in in a bit, so I need the three of you to sign these, please.” She placed three clipboards on the counter. “And Lily, I believe you said something about wanting to do a design reveal?”
Lily nodded eagerly, handing her signed clipboard back to Sabs before pulling out her phone. “I was trying to come up with something that made sense for all of us to get, and I think I figured it out.” She flipped her phone screen around to reveal a single sprig of lavender. “So…what do you think? I mean, obviously, it’s because we love all things lavender—Jamie included—but I also kind of like it because, you know, we all like women.” Lily grinned, shrugging her shoulders.
Beth and Sarah burst out laughing, Beth pulling Lily into a hug. “It’s perfect, love. I’m so down.” She looked at Sarah, who was still laughing.
“I love it. Only you two could convince me to get a tattoo.” She grinned.
“Great, because you’re going first.” Lily smiled wickedly as Sabs motioned to a chair in the middle of the space. As Beth pulled out her phone, she snagged a quick video of Sarah’s horror.
That evening, after the tattoos and after a quick dinner at Pho King Delicious—Jamie’s favorite Pho place—the three of them sat on the dock overlooking the water back at Beth’s house, the cool moonlight reflecting looming shadows of towering pine trees across the water.
The warm breeze swirled around them, slightly picking up the hem of Beth’s skirt. She shrugged, the fabric of Sarah’s borrowed denim jacket moving against her skin.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she pulled it out to see a text from Sarah’s sister, Kelly, responding to the video Beth had sent her of Sarah getting her first tattoo.
Kelly 7:54 PM
Bahahahah! She looks so uncomfortable. I love it. Truly, thank you for sending this—I will cherish this blackmail forever. ALSO! Count me 100% the fuck in on renting your house. I need to get off this boat ASAP. Love you, sis. Talk details soon.
“Who’s that?” Sarah asked, taking a peek over her shoulder.
“Your sister. I sent her the video of you getting your tattoo.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Of course you did. You two have always been in cahoots.”
“Guilty. There’s something about her chaotic nature that I find cute. But,” she said, drawing out the word, “guess who’s going to be renting my house while we’re in D.C.?”
Sarah laughed, smiling into the breeze as she looked out over the glistening water. “I hope you have good homeowner’s insurance… That’s all I’m going to say. Love her, but Kel is a walking tornado.”
“I think she’s super fun,” Lily said absently, examining her tattoo through the clear protective covering. “I still can’t get over how pretty it is. Sabs did a great job.”
Sarah and Beth each rolled back their sleeves, revealing their own tattoos in the same place, the three of them holding their wrists in a line.
“I kind of love it.” Lily beamed, looking up at them. “It’s like a little family crest. The Gallagher Girls,” she said, smiling widely at Beth, who understood.
“Together forever,” Beth said, looking to Sarah next as she painted this moment into her memory forever.
