Page 118 of Midnight Ink

“Well, yeah, I mean sort of. Not in the way you would think about germs, but outer space in itself is basically a no-germ zone. No air, extreme heat or cold. Intense radiation. Most microbes would die fast.”

“Interesting.” Phe smirks.

He walks over to her station more animated than before. “No, what’s interesting is that humans take microbes with us when we explore space. Space stations are full of germs. There are theories that microbes can survive inside rocks traveling through space. No proof, but scientists take it seriously and sterilize a spacecraft to avoid contaminating other planets. Fun fact⁠—”

“Doubt it,” Phe mutters.

“Microbes become resistant to antibiotics. Space makes them a little crazy.” He twists his finger near his temple. “Humans are gross.”

“You’re right. That was fun.” Phoenix flutters her lashes at him.

I walk over to Julian, who’s nearly done pouring ink. “Our children are weird.”

That makes Julian bark out a laugh. “Phoenix is older than you are.”

I look over at his station. “What are you doing first?” I drop into his chair.

He hits me with his pretty brown eyes. “My first tattoo is a raven.” He grabs his tablet and pulls up the image. Of course it’s gorgeous. The bird is mid-flight, feathers outstretched with the light hitting the tips in orange and golds.

“Beautiful.”

“Do you know who’s tattooing Elijah? He told me he has an appointment today.”

“Elijah. Yuck.”

Julian laughs. “I like that he still makes you jealous. Keeps you on your toes.” He kisses me quickly. As if he summoned him, Elijah walks into the shop looking as stupid and gorgeous as ever.

“Why does he have to be perfect?”

Julian just drops another kiss onto my lips. “God, jealousy is so cute on you.” I hear footsteps and see Elijah walk over, hands shoved into his pockets. “Hey, man.” He smiles up at Elijah, a little too enthusiastically if you ask me.

“Hey, guys.” Elijah smiles at me. “Still hate me, Ian?” Instead of answering him I grab Julian into a kiss then narrow my eyes on Elijah. “Good. I’m glad you’re being mature about this now.” He grins brightly.

“Who’s tattooing you?” Julian asks.

“I’m not sure. I was emailing someone at the shop.”

“Phe?” She peeks up. “Are you doing Elijah’s tattoo?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t have one until noon.”

“Oh, you were being sarcastic!” Miles comes back into the room. He freezes, seeing Elijah standing near Jules’s station. “Elijah?”

We look up and watch Elijah’s mouth drop open, then he looks at us. “Um, Miles. Hi. I didn’t know you worked here.” He hasn’t been by for a bit. Julian said he just finished moving up this way permanently.

Our attention swings to Miles, who for the first time since he started working here is silent. There’s hurt in his eyes. “Um, what are you doing here?” He’s not meeting his eyes as he sits at his station.

“I’m here for a tattoo.” Elijah steps toward him.

Then Miles’s head snaps up. “The . . . rabbit?”

“Uh, yeah.” Elijah runs a hand through his thick hair. “Let me guess. You’re the artist.”

“Uh, how do you two know each other?” Julian asks.

“We’re friends⁠—”

“We’re not friends.” Miles glares. Okay, this is really fucking weird. What the hell is going on?