I pointed toward the register. “Pay and let’s get you out of here.”
Katie laughed. “Somebody’s done with customers.”
I was. It had been cool working while Josie hung out, but I was ready for it to be just me and her
Mason paid while Katie hugged Josie before leaving. “You should text me.”
Josie blinked. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” She handed over her phone.
The two of them exchanged numbers while I stood there pretending not to be ridiculously pleased that Josie was making friends.
Mason noticed. “You’re doing the smile again.”
“I will actually stab you.”
“No, you won’t.” I hated that he was right.
The door finally closed behind them, and I locked it before anyone else decided to wander in and want a tattoo.
It was just us now.
The neon sign glowed softly in the front window and the smell of antiseptic mixed with cedar. Music drifted quietly from the speakers. Josie sat behind the register smiling.
I leaned against the counter and just looked at her. “You’re fucking beautiful, Josie.”
She rolled her eyes and scoffed. “I didn’t know you drank while you tattooed.”
I rolled my eyes back at her. “There you go.”
“What?”
“Calling me a liar.”
“I’m calling you blind,” she clarified.
I pushed off the counter and walked around the counter. “Baby.”
She stood and wandered toward one of the stations. “I know what I look like, Rome. I get you like it, but you don’t need to keep calling me beautiful.”
I didn’t argue with her. I just knew I was going to keep telling her she was beautiful until I dropped dead.
She studied all the framed flash art I had on the wall.
Roses. Daggers. Skulls. Snakes.
I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist.
Josie sighed and immediately relaxed against me. “How weird is it that I’m not even into snakes, but I’d totally put that on my ankle. I think you might be a bad influence on me, Rome.”
I trailed kisses down her neck, and she leaned her head back onto my shoulder. “Any of those would look good on you, baby.” And I meant it. I was so far fucking gone for Josie.
“I love it here,” she whispered.
“The tattoo shop?”
She turned her head, and a small smile played on her lips. “Yeah, but also…”
