Therein lied her dilemma. She’d never intended to return to their small hometown permanently. Before she’d left her last job, she submitted dozens of resumes, and knew she’d probably be getting a few call-backs any day now. Carlton was supposed to be a mini vacay, a chance to catch up with her bestie, and their old friends. She sure as hell hadn’t expected to re-connect with Deke.
Before she could respond, Drew was back, and she stepped away from his uncle.
Drew gave them a curious look. “Uncle Deke, is Harper your girlfriend?”
Deke didn’t hesitate before he said, “I’d like her to be, but that’s up to her.”
Harper’s heart sank. He was upset with her for not being able to offer him a commitment, but this was her life, her career, they were talking about. She’d gone to school for years to become a teacher and loved every second she spent in the classroom. How was she supposed to give that up? And what would she do if she did? Wait tables? Answer phones at her friend’s salon? Options were seriously limited in Carlton.
“You should be his girlfriend, Harper,” Drew said, grinning. “He’d spoil you, just like he spoils me.”
That’s what Harper was afraid of. She didn’t want to be spoiled. She worked for everything she had, which wasn’t much, but at least it was hers. She and her ex split all the expenses down the middle, which she’d insisted on. Life with Deke wouldn’t be like that. He’d want to take care of her, because he could, and she couldn’t have that.
Harper forced a smile, trying to avoid the curious look Deke was giving her. “Just let me finish cleaning up here, hon. Then we can be on our way.”
Deke cleared his throat and grabbed his keys, wallet, and cell phone off the counter. “Guess I should get to work.” He bent to give Drew a hug when he ran around the counter and launched himself into his arms. “You be good for Harper today, and have fun, okay?”
Drew pulled back to look him in the eye. “What’s wrong Uncle Deke? You look sad.”
This kid was too mature, too intuitive, Harper thought, trying not to react.
“I’m okay, buddy.” He stood and turned to face Harper. Gripping her chin, he looked her in the eyes, mouthing, “I’m crazy about you. Don’t forget that.”
How could she forget? Deke’s feelings for her, hers for him, were the reason she felt both happy and sad, excited and anxious, all at the same time.
***
Deke was trying like hell to focus on his work. It wasn’t hard when he was working on a piece, but it was the down time in between that was killing him. He didn’t book his appointments back to back since that would be too draining. But today he wished he had. Every free minute had him torturing himself with thoughts of what Harper was too afraid to tell him.
Was she leaving? Going elsewhere to look for a teaching job? How could she not? She loved teaching. It was more than a job, it was a big part of her life. He got that. If someone told him tomorrow he couldn’t tattoo anymore, he’d lose his mind, so how could he begrudge her the chance to do what she loved? But how the hell could he let her go, after they’d finally re-connected?
One of Deke’s tattoo artists and close friends, Vlad, slapped him on the back. “How’s it goin’ boss man? That floral garland you were workin’ on earlier was pretty sic.” He raised an eyebrow. “Rough job, you lucky bastard.”
The floral garland wrapped around the woman’s breasts and she was… very well endowed. “I was happy with the way it turned out.” It was a fairly large, colorful piece that took hours, so he was grateful for the distraction.
Vlad laughed. “Man, you must have it bad if you didn’t even try to tap that.”
“What are you talkin’ about?” Deke didn’t date clients, so even if he hadn’t been with Harper, he wouldn’t have been interested in the pretty girl who’d tried to slip him her number after he inked her. “You know I don’t cross that line.”
Vlad rolled his eyes. “You’re gonna try and tell me it has nothin’ to do with that little dime who came in here to see you the other day. Harper?”
Deke couldn’t argue. Harper was definitely a ten, in every way, but he didn’t appreciate his friend pointing it out. “Let’s just say we’re figuring things out, and leave it at that.” He didn’t mind going out with the boys for a few beers after work, but he tried to keep things professional at the shop.
“Figuring things out, huh?” Vlad crossed heavily his inked arms as he leaned back on his chair. “Does that mean you’re bangin’ her?”
Deke gave him a dirty look before turning back to his station, hoping to end the conversation. “Don’t make me knock your teeth out.”
Vlad laughed, righting the flat cap on his shaved head. “Whoa! You’re really into this girl, aren’t you?”
Deke knew there was a filthy comment to follow so he threw his hand up in warning. “Don’t say it or I will kick your ass.”
Chuckling, he said, “Fine, I won’t say it, but you gotta tell me. That’s the girl, right?”
The girl. Harper. The one every single one of his friends had heard about over the years because she was the standard by which he judged all other women. “Yeah, she’s the one.” The one. No doubt in his mind about that. Hell, after last night he was more certain than he’d ever been.
Vlad stroked his full black beard. “So, why do you look like someone just ran over your dog then? If she’s back—”
“Not sure she’s here to stay, that’s the problem.” Just saying it aloud turned Deke’s stomach, but holding it in wasn’t helping either. His friend wasn’t big on relationships, but maybe Vlad had something to offer that he hadn’t considered.
