I glance at Dominic, who has a small smile on his face as he listens in while serving another customer.
“So, are you free to grab lunch so I can talk your ear off more about my amazing girlfriend?” Delaney asks me, then quickly turns towards Dominic, “Oh, Nikkie, you can come too!”
He smiles as he wipes his hands on his apron, “I’d love to, Delaney, and congrats her moving here, but I’m still at work.” He glances at our surroundings pointedly.
“Oh right, okay well then you two definitely have to come out on a double date with us!” Delaney adds, and before I can protest or argue she shushes me with a finger on my lips.
“I will not take no for an answer, Pinky. Tell Nikkie to leave the apron at home and we can figure out a time the next time she visits.” Delaney eyes Dom’s work attire with a raised brow as if he has a choice in the matter. I put my hands up in surrender, allowing Delaney this victory. She gives me a quick squeeze, waves to Dominic and runs off yelling something about cleansing her apartment.
I turn back toward Dominic who’s stacking mugs away on the shelf behind him. “I guess we’re going on a date.” I sigh with a shrug.
Dom’s hand slips and a cup shatters across the floor. I startle and turn to grab the broom in the corner but he stops me with a hand raised, not even looking at me, as if already assuming I would offer help.
He clears his throat and chuckles, “I’ve got it, Hoot.” He winks at me and begins sweeping. For some reason I feel all hot and bothered. It’s just a wink, but somehow it has skated its way across my skin like a caress and I shiver in response.
Did his apron always drape so snugly around his thighs?
I screw my eyes shut and mentally chastise myself for looking at Dominic’s thighs. I need to get out of here before I start drooling.
I stash my phone in my purse and turn, making my way for the door. “Okay Peggy, I’m off. I’ll see you on our date!” I jokingly holler over my shoulder just as I make my way past the cafe tables. As my foot crosses the threshold, I hear another cup crash against the linoleum tile.
FOURTEEN
Chamomile
Dominic
“So a tramp stamp?”Rick muses at me, and while his tone indicates he’s joking, his face is deadly serious as he cleans and sets up his tattoo station for Celeste. Rick graciously cleared an afternoon even though he’s booked solid months in advance. Celeste is due to arrive any minute now and knowing she hates being late for anything, I guess she’ll be through the door in a matter of seconds.
“If you keep joking like that, I’m going to let Vic tattoo my face on your ass,” I parry back. Having Celeste come into this space makes me practically vibrate with anticipation. Since the second I met her, I knew she was one of those people that could light up even the darkest of rooms.
“What’s up with you? You’re all jittery like an iPad kid jacked up on pixie sticks,” Nadine says, rounding Rick’s station before settling into her own work station.
“Nothing, nothing.” I brush her off and ignore her quizzical stare. My legs move of their own accord and I begin pacing the parlour, taking in all the details.
I look over the black-and-white checkered floor, emerald-green walls and beautiful artwork displayed with gallery lighting. Rick and Vic put in so much effort and love into Deathless Pigment and it shows. Patrons drive miles upon miles to get tattooed here. The atmosphere is dark and moody yet contemporary and clean. If the vibe wasn’t enough, the tattoos are certainly some of the best artwork I’ve seen across the country. As the power couple gained notoriety from social media, they had new artists flock to them to start apprenticeships. With a waiting list a mile long, I managed to get Celeste in for her tattoo simply because, as Vic told me over our weekly dinner, I was family.
“You’re really antsy in your pantsy, aren’t you, Dom?” Nadine smirks up at me from her design that she’s preparing for her next client while also clearly gleeful at my anxiety.
“Look at him, he can’t stand still. The boy’s boots backwards for this bird,” Olly taunts me in his Geordie accent, standing tall over Nadine’s deep brown shoulder as she puts the finishing touches on her piece. I smirk as she flips her bright turquoise braids into Olly’s face as he tries to point out something in her sketch.
She looks back at me and winks, “It’s alright baby face, we won’t embarrass you in front of her. Right, Oliver?” She turns to Olly pointedly.
“I know you’ll all be on your best behaviour. She must be important to Dom if he brought her here to meet the family,” Victoria cuts in, carrying boxes through to the front for restock.
“Exactly, and Celeste…” I start.
Ding.
The chime of the door cuts me off and I spin towards it, eyes locking on Celeste. Words malfunction in my brain as I take her in. She stands warily, fidgeting with the rings on her right hand while flattening down the hem of her white baby doll dress with the other. Her honey blonde hair drapes over her shoulder in a loose braid, a few pieces pulled free and curling slightly around her chin and neck. A smile pulls her plump pink lips upward, but her bright blue eyes give her away. She’s nervous.She’s nervous.
My heart expands with a fuzzy warm feeling as I see this woman, who always walks with a confident stride, standing nervously waiting to meet people I consider family. Or maybe I made that all up in my fat head and she’s just nervous about getting her first tattoo.
Duh, Dom, you idiot.
I clear my throat and move toward her on instinct. As I get closer, she audibly releases a breath, her shoulders falling from their tense position. I give her a reassuring smile as I take her hand in mine and lead her to meet my people.
“Stunning as always, Hoot,” I manage to say quietly without my voice wavering or any of these heathens overhearing. I’m trying to maintain nonchalance even though what I want to tell her is how her beauty leaves me a little speechless. I watch as my words land, her shoulders pushing back and her cute pointy chin raising a fraction. There she is. One compliment, though as honest as ever, giving her the push she needs to walk back into her confident stride.
