“So,” he says, clearing his throat. “I’m sorry if I’m being too forward, or anything, but I was thinking, uh…” He scratches the back of his head, laughing uncomfortably.
I’ve cleaned up the tattoo, and I wrap it in plastic, before I glance up at him. He shakes his head again, shifts on the chair, swinging his legs off and looks at me.
“Would you like to get coffee with me some time?” he rushes out.
I’m a little taken aback. I wasn’t expecting that.
“Like… a date?”
“Yeah,” he says, biting his lips together.
He’s good-looking. He really is. Dark brown hair, golden brown eyes framed by dark lashes. Dark stubble covering his jaw, and he’s tall. Maybe a few inches taller than Kaden even.
But I can’t.
And I know that’s stupid, because Kaden and I are not together, not like that, and maybe Jude’s a great guy. I think he is. And I think it’s sweet that he seems a little nervous right now, while waiting for my answer. It’s flattering. It really is.
But I just… I can’t.
“Uhm,” I frown, looking for the right thing to say. “Sorry, I—”
“Oh, no, not at all,” he says, waving his hand at me, chuckling and shakes his head. “I’m sorry. That was weird of me. I just… I think you seem like someone I’d like to get to know better, but it’s fine,” he says, nodding and shaking his head at the same time.
“I mean,” I say, shrugging. “I don’t mind being friends, or anything but…” I glance at Kaden where he sits on the couch, and I don’t mean to do it, so I drop my gaze to the floor, hoping Jude didn’t notice it. But when I turn back at him, he’s looking at Kaden under his lashes, before he turns back to me, nodding once.
“Well, you can never have too many friends, right?” he says then, and smiles. It’s a good smile. It’s probably an uncomplicated smile, too.
I could probably like him. He’s funny, interesting, and curious. He seems to like people—like me.
And then maybe life wouldn’t be so complicated, and I could keep Kaden as my best friend. That’s the dream, right? It’s basically having the cake and eating it, too. An uncomplicated guy, who wants me, and a best friend. What’s more to ask for?
And if I could choose, I’d choose someone like Jude. But you don’t get to choose who you love. Or who’ll make your stomach flutter with butterflies, and kisses you until all you know is their lips on your lips. And breathing the same air as them is more important than the air itself.
You don’t get to choose whose touch you’ll crave so much, you’ll almost lose your mind in the process. Or whose skin will feel more like home than your own.
There’s only Kaden for me.
Whether I like it, or not—he’s the one.
And I can’t do a single fucking thing about it.
67
Kaden
Idon’thaveanymore bookings today. And there’re no drop-ins. Kit didn’t put the sign out this morning. But I haven’t left the studio since I finished my last customer.
I don’t trust him—Jude. And no, I don’t really have any reasons not to, he seems like an alright guy, or whatever. But I’ve stayed here, keeping an eye on him, and Seth, since he got here.
They’ve been talking non-stop. And laughing, and Jude can’t keep his eyes off Seth. He looks at him, roaming his eyes all over him, and smiles every time Seth looks back.
I don’t trust him. And Seth’s my best friend. I need to look out for him, is all.
When they’re done, and Seth’s cleaning the tattoo, Jude says something to him, and Seth’s hand pauses as he mumbles something before he glances my way. I drop my gaze to the blank page in my sketchpad, and don’t look up again until the door closes behind Jude, and Seth goes back to his station, cleaning up.
I stretch my arms over my head, stand and walk over to him. Dropping down on my chair beside his, I watch him spray down every surface with disinfectant and wipe it off.
“Isn’t it hot?”
