“Hmm…” She thinks for a moment, her lips pursed. “Mara and I have matching tattoos. We got them shortly after we turned eighteen. Our parents weren’t fans, but they got over it.”
“What’d you get?”
“You’ll probably appreciate it,” she tosses out, gesturing to the side of her head, “since you have those constellations there. Ursa Major, right?”
Well, color me impressed. My girl knows about the sky and mythology. “Yeah, it’s not just the Big Dipper.”
“Right.” She grins, “It’s a collection of stars, or mini groupings, anyways.” She waves her hand. “Mara and I are twins, and our birthday happens to be toward the end of May, so we got?—"
“Gemini,” I fill in. There’s only one twin constellation and it’s Gemini. I love that. Some of the twins we’ve tattooed at the shop have done similar things but knowing that Mila and Mara have it makes it feel less ordinary.
“Yep. So, I got mine on my left shoulder, and Mara’s is on her right.” Laughing she adds, “It’s why Mara claims she’s right most of the time.”
“Who did them?”
“The parent of one of our friends from school. Both of her parents are tattoo artists, so we got them done by her mom. Total badass of a woman.”
“Did she do all of them?” I ask because I need to know. I have to figure out who else has touched her skin and how to remove their fingertips.
“Sure did. She does good work, so I don’t see why I should change it up. Have you ever heard ofMidnight Ink?”
There’s no way. “You’re joking. That’s Wendy’s shop. She has like a two year wait list.” I love Wendy’s work. Her husband, Simon, was a contestant on one of those tattoo shows and made it down to the final few. Her work is just as amazing.
“Yeah. Wendy and Simon are cool people. They used us as guinea pigs, but it’s okay; they’re skilled,” she supplies with a smile, like it’s no big deal she knows tattoo royalty. The guys and I are good, but they’re on another level.
I’m learning so much about my girl. But I need more. How can I get her to see I’m serious? Mila gives me a quick look, then nods to someone behind me. Turning my head, I see it’s Joelle. I guess my time is up. I’m lucky to get what I did.
Testing my luck, I ask, “Why don’t you give me your phone number? Since we’re friends and all now. I have all my friends' numbers just in case of emergency.” Unlocking my phone, I slide it across the table.
Mila picks it up, looking at me. I suddenly feel nervous. I’ve never worked so hard to get a girl before, but I can’t wait to tell our kids about this moment. The one where I borderline begged for their mom’s phone number because I repeatedly bothered her while she was at work just so she'd talk to me for five minutes.
I watch with bated breath as she types into my phone, then offers it back. Going into my contacts, I notice hers right away.My friend Mila.Oh, that’s cute, but it’s getting changed. Sending her a text message, I wait for her to pull her phone from her pocket.
“Since you named yourself in my phone, it’s only fair I name myself in yours,” I joke, holding my hand out, gesturing toward hers.
Shrugging her pretty little shoulders, Mila hands over her phone. Going into her text messages, I see some from Cora and Mara, plus her parents, but no one else. Good. Tapping on the message I sent, I add my contact and update the name. Darkening the screen, I stand and offer it back to her.
As she gets to her feet, I lean in closer, taking in the way her breath hitches.You can push me away all you want, Sweet Girl, but we haven’t even started. “Have a great day, Mila.” I bend down, testing my luck, placing a quick kiss to her cheek. I can’t help myself. I need to touch her somewhere, and if I pull her in for a hug, I’m likely to pick her up and run out of here with her.
She freezes under my touch but turns her head to face me. When her light brown eyes meet mine, I offer her a genuine smile. I had so much fun talking to her, and I wish we had more time.
“Bye, Kash,” she murmurs softly, stepping to the side. Wringing her hands together, she heads toward the kitchen. Pausing at the door, she turns around to look at me once more, offering a small wave. Even from twenty feet away, I can see the way she blushes.
“Bye, Mila.” I wave back.
As the door swings shut behind her, I tell myself to be cool. Not only did I get her number, but now, I have the groundwork laid, and it’s given me the best idea for my next move. Mila won’t know what hit her.
Chapter Ten
Mila
Stretching out on the couch, I snuggle deeper in my blankets. I finally got done with my day around five o’clock, then went to dinner with Mara, and visited my parents. It’s only about nine, and I don’t have to open tomorrow, so I’m thinking I might sleep in until seven.
It’s been getting progressively colder, so I’m in no hurry to go anywhere. Scrolling through social media apps, I almost drop my phone when it rings in my hand, and I see it’s Kash calling.
Shit. Do I answer? Do I let it go to voicemail? Why am I overthinking this? It’s just Kash.Yeah, right, just Kash.
The phone stops ringing, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. Decision made. Tossing my phone to the side, I start to wonder if I’m being too hard on him. Maybe I should call him back. He’s been sticking to the ‘just friends’ thing like I asked.
