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“Why not?”
“Because it’s permanent.”
“I know that.”
“Max, it’s really permanent.”
“Nah, it can be covered with ink if you dump him,” Jimmy volunteered, interrupting the two of them – and she couldn’t help but laugh as Max frowned, glaring at the man.
Max turned to look at her again – and reached for her hand, lacing his fingers with hers, holding her gaze.
“I like the idea of having a part of you with me when I go back,” he said quietly, his eyes searching hers. Elana felt something turn over in her stomach, realizing that he was making this really personal and intimate between them, and it was just a tattoo, right? “I would be honored if you chose to do something like that someday, but only if you are in the right mindset. Some people put birthdates, some put their children’s names, and you never know…” his voice trailed off as Jimmy swatted him on the ankle holding up a design.
“How’s this look?”
Elana turned to look at the design on the paper and fought back the urge to smile. She really liked Jimmy because he was quick, efficient, and just seemed to know what would work. There, in the tribal lines of the fire, were small nods to her name. The ‘E’ and ‘L’ were both there, and the ‘ANA’ were hidden in the flames licking upward. It was clever, subtle, and there just the same.
“I love it,” Max smiled, nodding and glancing at her. “Are you okay with this?”
“I think I am…” she whispered, turning back to him and holding his hand. This felt so much like a promise, a commitment, that it was a little scary and intimidating. “I can’t believe we are doing this.”
“We?”
There was such hope in Max’s eyes that it was hard to handle. He was putting himself out there, getting her name tattooed on his upper arm, for goodness’ sake, and they’d barely gone out twice.
“You know this is crazy,” she whispered, not answering him.
“I’ve been called worse,” Max chuckled as Jimmy placed the paper on his upper arm and looked at her.
“What do you think?” Jimmy asked, and she focused on his arm. There were purple ink swirls from the transfer paper on his arm for Jimmy to use as a guide when he began tattooing Max. His bicep wasn’t weirdly large or bulky like some guys, but lean, muscled, and nice looking.
Man, Max was really nice looking, she thought silently.
“I like it – the tattoo,” she admitted, holding Max’s gaze.
“Then let’s do it,” Max agreed without looking at his arm, trusting her.
“All right,” Jimmy confirmed. “Keep your arm still, no moving, and if you need to move or jerk – please let me know as quickly as possible.”
Max stayed where he was, holding Elana’s hand and just smiling at her tenderly.
“Soooo,” Max drawled softly, now that he was sitting there for an unknown length of time with her undivided attention. “Where’s your tattoo? On your butt?”
Jimmy chuckled and shook his head, concentrating on outlining Max’s tattoo on his arm.
“No,” she smiled nervously and felt almost put on the spot. “I’ve got a small piece just below my belly button…”
“Oh, that’s hot,” Max volunteered hoarsely, interrupting her.
“And a dainty chandelier rose tattoo on my right shoulder that looks like jewelry…”
“You have two tattoos?”
“And on my hip,” she smiled nervously.
“Three?” Max grinned. “Have I mentioned how perfect I think you are for me?”
“You keep saying that, but you don’t know me.”
