???
“Meet you there around one?” he says. “I have to swing by my apartment.”
“See you soon, my love.”
I park in the usual spot, leaving the studio door sign flipped toclosed.
Vonnie has held off all bookings until Tuesday.
I need more time to catch up on sleep after driving two thirds of a continent.
If you count both ways.
But this is no ordinary client.
Time to pull out all the stops.
We have the entire studio to ourselves.
But I want to make Marco feel as comfortable as I can.
Velvet couch instead of a chair.
Lights dimmed.
Candles lit along the shelves.
Folding screens arranged in a curve to create a more intimate vibe.
Sparkling grape juice on ice.
Champagne flutes nearby.
Are the roses too much?
Shuffling through the songs on my laptop, I hand-pick a playlist of his favourites.
Bluetooth speakers connected.
Tools sterilised.
Table laid out the way I like it.
And butterflies in my stomach, just like the first time we met.
It was right here in this room.
Ten minutes to one.
I circle the room slowly.
Have I remembered everything?
Lamp. Towels. Ink caps.
Needles. Gloves. Wipes.
Skin balm for aftercare.
