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“Meet you there around one?” he says. “I have to swing by my apartment.”

“See you soon, my love.”

I park in the usual spot, leaving the studio door sign flipped toclosed.

Vonnie has held off all bookings until Tuesday.

I need more time to catch up on sleep after driving two thirds of a continent.

If you count both ways.

But this is no ordinary client.

Time to pull out all the stops.

We have the entire studio to ourselves.

But I want to make Marco feel as comfortable as I can.

Velvet couch instead of a chair.

Lights dimmed.

Candles lit along the shelves.

Folding screens arranged in a curve to create a more intimate vibe.

Sparkling grape juice on ice.

Champagne flutes nearby.

Are the roses too much?

Shuffling through the songs on my laptop, I hand-pick a playlist of his favourites.

Bluetooth speakers connected.

Tools sterilised.

Table laid out the way I like it.

And butterflies in my stomach, just like the first time we met.

It was right here in this room.

Ten minutes to one.

I circle the room slowly.

Have I remembered everything?

Lamp. Towels. Ink caps.

Needles. Gloves. Wipes.

Skin balm for aftercare.