Page 43 of Happily Ever Never

“It can be. Some people have issues with their wrists,either from typing too much or autoimmune diseases. It could be any number ofthings. Your wrists take a beating, and they can get painful at times. Andwhile the tattoo itself didn’t hurt there for me like it does for other people,the angle you sometimes have to hold your arm at canbe a little annoying. Nick somehow finds the perfect way. I think I do a pretty damn good job, but Nick is the master.”

May shook her head. “No. If anyone is going to stick aneedle in my body over and over and put ink in it, it’s going to be you.”

I grinned. “You say the sweetest things, baby.”

“Okay, let’s head out so you can stab me a few times, andthen you can get back to work. I’m meeting with Sebastian today to go over afew things.”

I frowned. “Everything okay?”

May nodded. “I think so. I don’t know. I love his daughter.But he’s going through so much, and I don’t think he’s sleeping. I probablyshouldn’t be telling you everything.”

“Tell me what you feel comfortablewith. But Sebastian is my friend, too. If there’s anything I can do to help,you’ll let me know?”

“Of course.” She rose onto her toes. “Of course.”

We stood there, naked, in her broken bedroom, and Iswallowed hard. “I love you, May. I just thought you should know. I’m prettysure I’ve loved you from the moment I met you, you laughed at my cheesy jokes,and your eyes warmed. I’ve loved you since then. But I’ve fallen in love withyou every day since.”

I probably should have said it in a different location,somewhere a little more romantic without a broken bedframe in front of us, butI couldn’t hold back any longer. Not with her in front of me. I’d been with alot of women, and I’d had the life I thought I wanted.

But now I had May. And I sure as hell was going to keep her.

Her eyes filled, and I was afraid I had said the wrongthing.

“May?”

“I love you, too. I was so afraid to say it at first, eventhough I should have been strong enough to do so. I’ve been holding back. I’msorry. I won’t hold back any longer. I love you, Leo. And you are way moreromantic than I am. I can’t even think of anything romantic to say.” Shesniffed. “Oh, that was just so sweet. And I’m standing here naked.”

I laughed. “I’ve been practicing in my head for a while now.And you’re naked in front of me. Nothing’s more romantic than that.” She reachedaround and pinched my ass, and I laughed before taking her mouth with mine.

“I love you,” I whispered.

“I love you, too.”

We made it into Montgomery Ink Legacy, only a little latefor her tattoo. Considering the appointment was with me, that was fine.

We sat down at my station as Leif and Nick shook their headsat me.

“I can’t believe you’re touching virgin skin over there,”Leif said with a frown.

“You know, I always found it a little too sexual the way youguys talk about that, but whatever. My boyfriend’s going to stab me with aneedle. I’m excited,” May said with a sing-song voice, and Nick barked out alaugh.

“We should use that as an ad. We could get some business.”

“I don’t know if that would work,” a familiar voice said asBrandi, my favorite client, walked in.

I frowned, wondering if we had an appointment, but shewasn’t looking at me. Instead, she was looking at May, and it all clicked.

The familiar eyes, the same color hair. That smile that helda little bit of wickedness.

“Wait, Brandi. As in your Aunt Brandi?” I asked,looking over at May.

May blinked. “Yes, this is my aunt. How do you know her?”she asked before her eyes widened. “This is where you’re getting your tattoos?Why didn’t you tell me?” May asked.

Brandi just grinned as everyone started laughing, and Ishook my head.

“This was the niece you were trying to set me up with? Why didn’t you tell me it was May? I would’ve said yeslong ago.”

“You tried to set me up with Leo?” May asked, lookingflabbergasted.