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Elijah: Sounds good.
______
Like any other night, I stayed up late drawing while listening to music and drinking a cold one. Alone. I thought of Lucy’s love for ponies and cars and drew her something. It was six before I laid down that morning. Five hours later, I was up and getting ready for work. I was excited to give the portrait to Lucy this weekend. I had a feeling she would like it. I put it in an eighteen by twenty-four inch picture frame, the size I used with everything I drew or painted, and I hoped she’d want to hang it up in her room.
On Friday, I got the text that bummed the hell out of me.
Hadley: Lucy and Eli went to their dad’s so, maybe next weekend?
I didn’t really know Hadley, but I knew her enough that I’d scare the fuck out of her if I invited her over alone.
Elijah: Sounds good. Any plans?
Hadley: My friend Holly wants me to go out tonight, but…You’ll think it’s silly.
Elijah: It’s our thing. I think you’re innocent. You think I’m an asshole. Go on.
Hadley: LOL. I feel guilty for wanting to go out without the kids. Deep down, I know nothing’s wrong with it, but I can’t help but wonder if they’re having a bad time while I’m out without them. I shouldn’t have said that. You won’t understand.
She was right, I couldn’t understand. As far as I could tell, Hadley put her kids above herself and no one could say otherwise. If anyone deserved to have a moment to themselves, it was her.
Elijah: You’re right. I don’t understand. You’re Lucy’s world, and anyone that has eyes can see how much she loves you. Have fun, Hadley. It’s okay if you’re only 99% a mother, at least save 1% for yourself.
Feeling honest, I quickly added.
Elijah: I’ll still hang out with all percentages of you. Frankly, I think you’re pretty badass. Even Eli beams at you like you’re more than his milk supply.
Hadley: Thanks. For some reason that makes me feel better about going.
I smiled.
Elijah: Have fun.
______
I’d been working for the last four hours on a half-sleeve tattoo. It still wasn’t complete when the chime sounded on the parlor door. The blonde that controlled my thoughts strolled in with another girl around her age. Honestly, I didn’t notice the friend much. One look at Hadley and all thoughts exited my mind.
Her long hair was straight, falling over her back and shoulders. It was the first time I’d seen her hair down since Lucy’s and my birthday, and its length surprised me. It was a nice change from those messy buns that made her look ridiculously more appealing every time I saw her. She wore dark skinny jeans with a white halter top that, thankfully, didn’t hide her bust size. On her dainty feet were plain flip-flops. She wiggled her red-painted toes and holy fuck I was lost.
She was sexy in a cute way. The slight bit of makeup she wore barely made her appear older. When her eyes found me in my little corner, her ocean-blue eyes twinkled and that bashful smile knocked me off my hinges, it was so powerful and radiant.
“Can I help you, ladies?” Lance got up immediately, his gaze sweeping over and devouring Hadley in the same way mine had probably been doing.
She shook her head, tucking her hair behind her ears. “I’m just here to see Elijah.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder in my direction, not noticing I was walking toward her. She glanced over Lance’s shoulder and studied the parlor. Meanwhile, Lance’s gaze was on me. “So this is your shop?” she asked, turning back to me.
I nodded. “Yeah.” I cocked my head and let my eyes rake over her. “Did you come for a tattoo?”
“She wants one, but she’s too chicken,” her friend replied.
“Yeah, one day maybe, but not today,” Hadley blurted, placing her hands together at her stomach.
“It’s not all that bad,” Lance said. “You’ll have to come to me when you find something you like.”
I scowled and said, “What he means is, come to me. I’ll do you right.” Lance snorted, but I ignored him.
Her friend grinned while Hadley’s face turned a shade of red.
“Are you the mom?” Lance asked.
