Page 95 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“But I get it.” Ody reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.”

The waiter stepped up, setting the plates down between them.

After dinner, they walked through the city, got ice cream, then headed home.

On the couch, sitting side by side, Mano spoke first. “I’ve been thinking about what you said.”

“The tattoo?” Ody asked.

Mano nodded. “You looked disappointed.”

A small laugh escaped him. “I was.”

“But you didn’t push.”

His expression softened. “I wouldn’t.”

Mano didn’t speak immediately. His fingers traced absent patterns against his jeans. “Most people would’ve.”

The room fell quiet.

“Do you want to do it in Volos?” Mano asked.

“What?”

“The tattoo.”

Ody stared at him. “You mean it?”

Mano shrugged. “It’s something only we’ll understand. And it’s not that permanent anyway. It’s easy to get tattoos removed now.”

Ody’s chest tightened, his gaze lowering. Of course that was where Mano’s mind went. A way out. But he was still saying yes. And for Mano, that meant something.

“So?” he asked.

Ody looked up at him, smiling. “I want to,” he said. “I really do.”

“Where would you get it?” Mano asked.

Ody glanced at him, then reached for his hand and laced their fingers together. He turned Mano’s hand over, studying his wrist. “Here, maybe.”

“Your wrist?”

“Yeah.”

Their eyes met.

Mano reached for him, his thumb brushing along his cheek as he cupped his face. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

Ody woke to sunlight slipping through the curtains. He rolled over and found Mano already up, pulling a black shirt over his head. “Morning. Since when are you up first?”

“I slept enough.” He glanced back at him. “I’m making breakfast, mikre.”

Ody pushed himself up.

“I know a tattoo place downtown. We can go today.”

Ody’s eyes lit up. “Today?”