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"Right." I peel the paper from his skin.
Perfect. The design transfers.
He looks down at me. "How is it?"
I study the tattoo like it isn't a silly joke. Like it's exactly what Dean wants. It does fit his cheeky attitude. And it fits his shoulder too. The lines fall over his skin just so. "It's good."
"Only good?"
"Really good."
He takes my hand and leads me back into the main room. Past Walker and Ryan—why are they in the lobby this early? All the way to his suite.
He studies the design in the mirror. "Fuck. That is good." He turns to me. "Good job."
The compliment does nothing to ease the flush in my cheeks. "Thanks." I stare up into his eyes. He's being genuine. It's weird. But I'm starting to get used to it. "But?"
"No buts."
"Do you want any changes? It is your tattoo."
"Yeah." He looks back to the mirror. Studies the reflection. "More details on the gun."
"I can't go too small. The ink spreads over time. In a few years it will be blurry."
He smiles knowingly.
"That was a trick question."
"Maybe." He shrugs. "Add a few. Big ones."
"Sure. I'll have it for you next week."
"Good." He looks around the room. Ryan and Walker are still in the lobby. But now Brendon is with them and the amorous couple is gone. "Let's do this."
"Do what?"
He's already in the lobby. "Hey." He claps his hands over his head. "Announcement. Chloe is gonna be my full-time apprentice."
Emma shoots me a curious look. Like she's trying to decide how I feel about that.
"That was your announcement?" Brendon asks. "Not sure anyone needed to get here early for that."
"All right. Don't care. I'm in heaven. Chloe working under me." Dean winks. "What more could I want?"
Walker rises from the bench with a chuckle. "In your dreams."
"I'll make those nightmares." Ryan's threat is playful. He's even smiling. He looks to me. "You okay with this?"
I nod.
"You sure?" Walker asks. "Dean is—"
"Annoying?" I offer.
Emma laughs. "It's good she sees your true self."
"Em, baby. How could you say that? You and I, we're like this—" He presses his first two fingers together. "You get me."
