Page 19 of Mountain Beast

“She’s with me,” I interject, waving Autumn forward to a rolling stool beside me.

She sits with a playful huff. “I could have an appointment. Maybe try a little exposure therapy.”

My brows wrinkle in consternation. “With your fear of needles?”

“That’s why it would be exposure therapy. I could get something tiny that wouldn’t hurt as much.”

Milo looks up from his position on my other side. “You could also have it done in a spot without too many nerve endings.”

“Oh, you’re right!” she exclaims. “I haven’t really thought about placement.”

“But you’ve thought about what kind of tattoo you’d get?” I ask, studying her suddenly vibrating form. Right now, her pale skin is clear and smooth, not a mark in sight. Virgin.

But I can’t deny that a tattoo would be damn sexy, too.

Autumn bites her lip then nods. “Autumn leaves for my name. Is that cliché? Or stupid?”

“No, and clichés exist for a reason,” Milo says, leaning over my arm again.

“Trust me, people get all sorts of names on them.” Archer clicks around on the front computer, and a color-coded schedule appears on the screen. “At least this will be in honor of you rather than a boyfriend who may not last.”

Milo pauses to laugh. “Please don’t get ‘Briggs’ tattooed on your ass.”

Autumn and I share a stunned look, not sure how to respond. We’re not exactly dating. We’re just friends with benefits. But that’s not something you share with strangers, or the guys you’re semi-friendly with at the tattoo parlor.

“Um, no… Definitely not getting ‘Briggs’ tattooed anywhere.”

Now, why does that kind of bother me? Like she’d never let my name dirty her flesh. I grit my teeth, and my jaw pops from the harsh pressure.

“Back to the fall leaves. If you’re serious, Sutton should be here soon. Her first appointment isn’t for another hour, so she could do yours.”

“Really?”

“Really. Want me to officially book it?” Archer nods toward the computer.

Autumn licks her lips and looks at me.

“It’s up to you, baby. Whatever you want, I’ll be here.”

She hesitates another second before facing Archer. “Okay, let’s do it.” As if on cue, Sutton saunters out of the back room where the employees enter the shop.

“Do what?” she asks as Milo and Archer wave hello.

“If you’re Sutton, I’m your next client.” Autumn stands and reaches a hand out before pulling it back in an awkward stance. “Sorry, I’m not sure what the protocol is here.”

“No worries, you’re good… and you’re nervous,” Sutton guesses with a soft smile. “I’m excellent with beginners. This will be your first tattoo?” She gestures for Autumn to follow her to her station across the room, and the two women fall into easy chatter.

“You’re all set my friend.” Milo sits back after adding the final after care touches.

Tearing my gaze away from Autumn, who’s lifting her curls off her neck, I check out the finished product in the mirror. “Nice, man. I’m glad we finally got this done.”

“Excited to start your next one already?” he jokes as he cleans up his area.

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Not quite yet, but this one became more complicated than I expected. Not a bad thing; it just took longer, that’s all.”

“Well, you’re good to go now. Why don’t you comfort your girl? I can ring you both up afterwards.”

Thanking him, I head over to Autumn, and not a moment too soon it seems because there’s a wet sheen over her eyes.