She bites the inside of her cheek and takes it from my grasp. The tension in her shoulders eases. I place the second can in one of the cup holders. She side-eyes it.
"Seemed like a two bull kinda day," I say with a wink.
Her attention shifts back to the road, but not before I see the smile she tries holding back.
Jade has quickly become a double-edged sword. On one side, she's a welcome distraction from my pathetic retirement, but on the other, she's a reminder of what I want. A challenge, a friend, and a family of my own.
"Wait," she says. "Why the fuck aren't you driving yourself? I'm your assistant not your chauffeur."
Shit. I meet Cooper's eyes in the rearview mirror, and the look he gives me tells me I'm in deep shit.
"I uh…" I say. "I lied last night. I haven't been officially cleared to drive yet."
Her jaw clenches.
"I will be next week, so what's a few days?" I say, regretting the words the moment they're out. The scowl she gives me confirms it was the wrong thing to say.
"I could have ordered a ride. I'm not some damsel you needed to save."
"I wasn't—" I start.
"You were. I don't need a fucking hero."
"You asked for help. That's what friends do."
"Is that what we are now, boss? Friends?"
If she's expecting an answer, I don't give her one. I turn the music up and we drive. It's not long until she pulls into a warehouse parking lot and parks close to the entrance.
According to the sign by the elevator, Tonic Tattoo is on the third floor. Jade keeps her arms crossed and her jaw tight the whole ride up. Worse, she won't look at me. The door opens, the metal screeching with the effort, and Cooper runs ahead.
"I'm sorry," I say, not sure if I should be apologizing. "You needed a ride. I know I shouldn't have lied, but I wasn't busy. I wasn't trying to save you. You needed help, and I was available."
"Whatever, Mateo."
My name sounds fluid on her lips. Sexy and sweet, even though the look on her face is anything but. How do I get her to say itagain? I want to memorize the way her lips press together on the M and form a small circle on the O.
"So, how was your date last night?" I ask, when what I want to ask is why he didn't bring her home? Why was she outside alone in an unlit parking lot? But what she'll see as a hero complex, I see as basic fucking manners. Respect.
"Oh, hell no," she says and picks up her pace. A pace I can't keep up with. Driving a few days early was one thing, but speed walking even with the aid of crutches is another.
Her hips are hypnotizing as they sway with each step. The dark denim of her jeans hugs her in all the right places, as if she was poured into them. Molded just for me, even if she doesn't know it yet.
I hobble along as she turns a corner up ahead. I'm moving pretty well, and with each day that passes, I rely a little less on the crutches. At home, I'm walking short distances without them. It's more like an awkward skip, but I'm doing it. Baby steps. Literally.
When I round the corner, I find her with her back against the wall, head tipped back, and one boot on the brick behind her. I wish I could take a photo of her like this. Even as resigned as she looks, she's a vision. Her dark hair pulled back off her face, half of it in a tie, the other half down her back. She always leaves a few strands loose in the front. I want to brush them behind her ear and be the gentle she isn't. The sunshine to her storm.
She must sense my presence because she straightens from the wall and walks to the Tonic Tattoo door across the hall. She opens it and looks at me, spinning that silver ring. I take it for the truce it is because an apology it isn't.
The shop is interesting to say the least. It's not at all what I expected. I guess the name should've tipped me off. It's decorated in black, deep purple, and green. The décor screams Victorian and gothic, but earthy. A tattoo apothecary.
"Coop and I are going to go home, for a bit. We'll be back later, okay?" Jade asks as she walks around the desk and turns a tablet toward me.
I nod and fill out the digital waiver.
"Em," she yells. "Your eleven o'clock is here." Then to me, "Have a seat."
I don't sit. It's bad enough I'm going to be sitting for the next couple hours. I'll be lucky if I can walk out of here later. Instead, I take a better look around. The art on the walls is impressive even if it's flash. I'm excited to see what Emily came up with. I gave her a little context, and she seemed confident she could pull off what I'm looking for.
