Avery
"Have fun today," I say to the other love of my life, my daughter, Maxine, as I drop her off at daycare. "I'll be here to pick you up at three, OK?"
"OK, Mommy! Byeeeeeee…" She runs off to join another group of girls in the sandpits, all giggles and skipping feet.
“Where do they get their energy?” Ali muses, moving in beside me after dropping her youngest off as well. He runs over to Maxie and they both run circles around each other, before heading to the swings. They’re the best of friends.
"I swear if they don't get married in the future, I'm going to quit life," Ali says with a knowing smile on her lips. "How else are we going to be sisters?”
I shake my head at her and pull her into a quick hug. "You'll always be my soul sister, Ali."
"I know." She sighs. "And it helps that I’m the greatest business partner around. Wanna eat cheesecake for lunch today?"
"You know I do," I say, looping my arm with hers as we start walking down the main street to our own office that’s decorated with bright colors and decorated with flowers, and of course offers profiteroles to clients. It’s my dream come true, and Ali and I work wonderfully together.
When I check my messages, my first appointment of the day has called to reschedule, so I have a free hour in my day. It doesn’t take long before I know just what I’m going to do with it.
“Hold the fort for a while?” I ask Ali as I head for the door.
“Of course! Just don’t be late for cheesecake.”
“I promise,” I say with a giggle. “I’ll be sure to bring my appetite.”
“OK. Tell Tyler I said hi.” She gives me a knowing grin.
“What makes you think I’m seeing him?”
My question makes her giggle. “Oh, I don’t know—the bounce in your step, the wicked gleam in your eye. I love how much you guys love each other.”
My cheeks heat as I smile. “We really do. I’m so happy, Ali.”
“I know. And you deserve it. Go. Have fun. I’ll cover until you get back.”
"Thank you. I'll see you later, Ali-gator!"
"Bye-bye, birdy!" she calls back, using our childhood names for each other.
As I head back to my car, it’s as if I’m walking on air. My life is perfect, even with the occasional umps, it's still perfect for me. I hum along to whatever song comes on the radio as I turn on the car, then I belt my heart out singing my joy after I pull out of the parking lot.
Before long, I arrive atFalkour Inkto surprise Tyler, and the door chimes as I walk through. "I'll be there in a second!" he shouts from the backroom.
I scan around curiously for the receptionist, but it looks like she isn’t in yet. "It's me, Ty," I call out, walking past the floor gate, following the metallic hum of the tattoo machine.
“I’m just doing a touch up,” he says when I find him hunched over the arm of Tristan Alto, rock god and another of Oakwood Falls local treasures after he brought a live music venue to town. It’s partly thanks to him that Tyler was able to come back here, so I have a soft spot for the down-to-earth celebrity.
"Hey, Avery,” Tristan says, nodding before grimacing slightly as Tyler inks a solid line. “How's it going?"
"Better than you.” I laugh. “I don’t have a needle in my arm.”
Tristan chuckles, although I doubt the sting of the needle bothers him much since he has more tattoos than Tyler does. He’s completely covered besides his face.
"I'll just wait up front for you to finish. I’ve got about an hour to spare,” I say, causing Tyler to do a double take as he understands my meaning and a slow grin spreads across his face.
“I’ll be fifteen minutes,” he says with a wink.
Making myself a coffee, I sit on the reception couch and flick through the photo gallery on my phone. Our wedding, our first photo with Maxine, various parties and dinners over the years… We've had such a happy five years together though I still wish we didn't take so long to reunite, even though I understand now that it was a journey we needed to endure so we were ready for what we have now. Over a decade apart had made me bitter and angry, and the countless misunderstandings didn't help either. In the end, the wait was definitely worthwhile. I loved him as a boy, yes, but the man he's grown into is something else. He’s an attentive husband and an amazing father, and in the bedroom...his skills are above and beyond what I could ever expect. In averygood way. Despite us being married and in our thirties, I think about him more than I did when I was just a hormonal teenager. I can't imagine my feelings ever fading. I know deep in my heart that we have a very long life ahead of us because our souls were always meant to be together.
Moments later, Tristan is ready to leave, his arm freshly wrapped in cling film, while Tyler trails behind him, chatting about Tristan’s vision for the space he has available on his back for more tattoos. Seems he’s addicted. And I get it. Tattoos are sexy as hell.
