Page 163 of Pretty ’n Peak

They ate a bit of fresh bread and cheese left over from the farmer’s market, knees pressed together under the table.

Austin insisted that they take a Lyft over to the gallery, because even though he couldn’t drive, he knew that parking would be horrible. Mateo chatted calmly the whole way, but his fingers clenched tight to Austin’s, like he was gripping the side of a lifeboat and didn’t dare let go.

They arrived fifteen minutes early, just as he’d planned, so Mateo could have a moment to walk around or get his bearings.

“That’s it,” Mateo breathed, as they stepped out of the car.

All Austin could see was the glowing yellow of a glass storefront. “That’s it, babe. That could be where people stop in the window to see your work, then wander in to buy it. Do you want to go in now?”

“No.” The answer was immediate, but then Mateo tempered it. “We’re early. Maybe we could walk around the block?”

Austin knew it was a good spot for shopping and sightseeing. The sidewalk hummed with conversations and leisurely steps.

Wandering seemed like a good idea. Whatever Mateo needed to feel comfortable. He was doing remarkably well, but then, Austin hadn’t expected otherwise. Mateo’s fears hadn’t stopped him yet.

“Can we get dinner here?” Mateo asked as they sauntered along the walk.

“That was my plan. No matter what you decide, we’ll celebrate that you were offered the spot.”

Mateo gave him a gentle bump. “And your new job.”

“I don’t have one yet.” He shoved Mateo’s hip in return.

“But you will.”

They probably looked like they were drunk, weaving back and forth across the sidewalk.

He loved this playful side of Mateo. It was so different from how worried and withdrawn he’d been this morning, or his death grip in the car.

They quieted as they passed the next few shops, Mateo looking in all the windows.

“Have you ever thought about getting a tattoo?” Mateo asked.

Presumably, they were near a tattoo parlor.

Austin laughed. “What would be the point? I couldn’t see it.” Then a thought occurred to him. “Do you have any tattoos?”

“Yeah. Just one. My brothers and I all have a skull and rose on our arms. Right here.” Mateo guided Austin’s hand to the point just below his shoulder.

“Huh. I wouldn’t have expected you to choose that.”

“In Mexican culture it’s… I dunno. Life laughing at death. Seeing the beauty of impermanence. Mine’s a bit gentler than the macho designs my brothers chose. And it’s not very big. So maybe you’re right. I wouldn’t have gotten it on my own.”

Austin would have to look for it next time. “Would you get another one, if you could choose the subject?”

“Maybe. I think it would be hard for me to decide. The thing I’ve really been thinking about is getting one ear pierced.”

“Or maybe both?”

Mateo swayed against him. “You don’t think that would be too… you know, girly?”

“I think that would be just the right amount girly. If it’s what you want. And once the holes healed, you could wear one or two, depending on where you were.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.” Mateo sounded disappointed, though. Like he’d already rejected the possibility.

Still, they lingered in front of the shop. “Do you want to go in and look at earrings?” Austin asked. “Maybe ask about the procedure?”

“No. I mean, I took my niece to get her ears pierced at the mall. I have the basic idea down.”