Page 108 of Midnight Ink

This fucker. “Keep it up and you’ll be riding on my roof.”

“I’d rather ride your boyfriend.”

Oh, this asshole! “I’m going to kick your ass.” I punch him. “Wait, where’s Bri?”

“She left.” Luci sucks in a breath. “She broke up with me.”

“What?” Jamie asks.

I can’t handle this anymore, can we get a fucking move on? I slide into the car as they argue while Jamie stuffs her body into the back of the jeep. Ailee quietly buckles her seat belt. I watch her glance back at them quickly. “Break up with him,” I whisper. Her sharp gaze softens at me. I watch her swallow then turn her attention forward.

While I love Jamie, and I don’t like Ailee, whatever is going on between them needs to end. Ailee is dating him for the thrill of dating someone she knew her parents would hate, and Jamie is dating her because, well, blowies are awesome. That’s all I’ve really got.

I hear Jamie and Luci talking in the back seat. I lift my eyes and he meets mine in the mirror. “What?” I shake my head, looking at Ailee fully having a meltdown.

“When are you coming to get your tattoo filled?”

He touches his neck where the outline is. I love how down he is for anything. That snake on his arm is sick. My favorite piece to date. I love the dragon on his thigh too, but that was mostly his drawing. It’s sick, don’t get me wrong, but that snake is all me. I love how it looks wet to the touch, as if you can feel the scales. Pops of red and pinks around it in the cherry blossoms. I’ve got people scheduling tattoos on that piece alone.

“When you get time, now that you’re a hotshot artist.” Yeah, I fucking am. Booked for nearly a year before we’ve even officially opened.

“Always have time for you, bro. Tomorrow, I’ll have a very drunk man to take care of, but maybe tomorrow night.” I slow for a red light. I crane my neck and blink at my idiot friend. “Dude.”

Jamie rolls his eyes. “It’s green.”

Whatever.

I step on the gas.

A scream.

Blinding light snaps across the car.

TWENTY-FOUR

IAN

“Do you want me to sit with you?”

I turn to Julian and almost don’t trust myself. Every time I look at him the want is immediate and overwhelming. I don’t know how I went this long without kissing him. Without knowing what his mouth feels like on mine. Every time I see him, I just want to touch him. The dopamine hit is dizzying. All I want is his arms around me.

We’ve made great use of this month off together, but next week it’s back to reality, and you know, I’m excited to work again.

“I’ll just be a couple of minutes,” I say softly.

“What do you normally do?” he asks. “If you don’t mind sharing.”

I shrug. “I just sit out here for a bit. I usually stop by Honeybean and get something.”

I won’t be doing that anymore. Instead, on Monday’s I’ll bring in treats from the cafe for our new staff. It’ll be nice for everyone at the shop, and I’ll still be supporting Maddox’s favorite place. Even if it’s a little awkward now that Ariana’s there full-time.

Ari was Aliee’s twin sister who died in the accident with Maddox and Luci. Her family owns the cafe. She also basically told Jamie to off himself last year when they ran into each other, so it’s hard not to lose my shit when I see her.

“On the eighths I’m usually here for a bit, but I’ll be quick.”

“Take your time.” He leans in and kisses me softly.

Damn, that rush. “I love you.”