Page 29 of Playboy’s Purgatory

With a sigh, I admit, “I don’t know. Honestly.” I hold my hands up when her expression turns close to murderous in its frustration. “I want her, I know that much, but what it means?” I grimace. “If you think I’m going to admit to some grand love, I’m sorry I have to disappoint you.” With a huff, I remind her, “It’s not like I ever pictured having an Old Lady.”

And I didn’t.

Maybe it’s because Dad never ended up settling down. Maybe it’s because I felt like my road name was a self-fulfilling prophecy from the moment it was given to me.

Either way, I never let myself imagine it.

“You need to figure it out,” she hisses, clearly annoyed. Yeah, yeah. Get in line.

“I want to,” I insist. “First I have to get her to talk to me.”

Opal lets out a low whistle and mutters, “Good luck with that one.”

Fuck.

The flowers were a good start, but they were always going to just be the start. Now I need to figure out what’s next. If I was charming a woman, I’d be putting effort into nice dates and gifts.

I can’t exactly take the same approach with Lara. Not completely.

“Vanessa mentioned the coloring book,” Opal finally fills the silence stretching between us. I’m grateful. “What kind of adventures are you going to send her on?”

“I have a whole list,” I can’t keep the excitement out of my voice. “A lot of outdoor stuff like fishing, mountain climbing, and white-water rafting. But I was also thinking about climbing the Empire State Building like King Kong.” I chuckle slightly. “I’m treating each one kind of like a bucket list.”

Something starts to form in my mind, an idea. Maybe. More of a notion.

Vanessa asked for something that utilizes one of the only skills I have. The only other thing I’m good at is my art.

I hadn’t realized Opal has been chattering steadily and throwing out all sorts of suggestions I probably should have been listening to. Interrupting her, I blurt out, “Do you think Lara wants a tattoo?”

A slow grin begins to grow into something almost blinding on Opal’s face. “I don’t know, but I think that using your talent to help you say sorry is a damn good idea.”

“Will you help me?”

Opal claps her hands and nods eagerly. Anticipation starts to fill me instead of just guilt and dread.

I’m not sure if it’ll work.

I’m definitely not sure Lara will let me get close enough to tattoo her. I wouldn’t blame her if she said no.

But it’s an idea. And, maybe, a place to start.

CHAPTER 7

LARA

I look up when the door of Bunz Out opens. And I freeze in place. Because the sight in front of me deserves such a reaction.

Opal is wearing a bright red dress with white hearts. That would be normal enough, I suppose. It’s the angel wings that really give the whole outfit choice a strange, quirky kick.

“What on Earth are you wearing?”

Opal does a little spin, her hair flaring out around her while making her wings flutter slightly.

I clap while teasing her, “That little spin does not answer my question.”

“Duh,” she strikes a pose, “I’m cupid.”

My eyebrows pull together as I look at her. “Aren’t you supposed to be wearing a diaper?”