"Didn't think so, but figured it didn't hurt to ask. Didn't want you to leave here crying that I didn't offer more." I would never say this to another girl; I’m not a monster. But I can’t fight the frustration I feel at how cool she’s playing things.
"No chance of that."
Damn, this girl is a hard nut to crack. She's not giving any sort of sign as to whether or not she enjoyed herself, aside from the orgasm she had. And I would bet this shop that it was real. No way this woman would fake it just to make a man feel good about himself. No, I bet if she wasn't getting off, she'd yawn just to prove a point.
"I'll walk you out."
"No need. I know where the door is."
We have a stare-off for a moment, testing each other’s wills to see who will crack first.
I think she's about to crack, but she doesn't. "Bye."
"Bye."
I wait until I can barely hear her footsteps, then I follow her. Partially because I need to lock the door behind her, but also because I just want one more look at her. It’s likely I’ll never see her again, unless she comes back for another tattoo. But even then, she’ll likely book Raina instead of me just to piss me off and confuse me even more.
I stand against the wall in the back hallway, watching as she leaves. Not a care in the world. Her figure passes the large window to the right of the door, and I catch her glancing into the shop as she walks by. If she sees me watching her, she doesn’t let on. Her face looks curious. Ihope it’s because something is compelling her to reach out again. But then she continues out of sight.
I walk through the main area, toward the front door. I’m stopped when I spot something out of the corner of my eye.
“No way…” I can barely get the words out through my guttural laugh, but they’re only meant for my own ears, anyway.
B’s jacket.
I bend over and pick it up off the floor. She must have walked right past it. Did she leave it here on purpose, or did she truly forget it? With her, all bets are off.
Chapter Eight
B
I grab my key and my wallet from the small table beside the front door to my apartment. I go to grab my jacket next. “Fuck! I knew I was forgetting something.”
“What?” Iris and Fia say in unison.
“Uhhhhhh! I left my fucking jacket there.”
“Where?” They say it in unison again.
I look back and forth between them. “Stop that, it’s creepy. You guys sound like Mya and Ella.”
Iris puts a few grapes in her mouth before responding. “Where did you forget your jacket?”
“Can’t hear you, your mouth is full. Didn’t your mother ever teach you manners?” I heard her, but I’m trying to avoid her question.
Fia, having also clearly heard Iris, despite her mouth being full, clarifies. “She asked where you forgot your jacket.”
“Oh, nowhere.”
Fia’s thick, dark, perfectly groomed eyebrows raise up in questioning. “You forgot it athisplace, didn’t you?”
“Who?”
Iris, from the other side of me, chimes in. “Of course you did! B, are you sure you didn’t forget it there on purpose?”
I glare at Iris as if that’s the most ridiculous thing she’s ever said. Because it is. “Of course I didn’t forget it on purpose. Didyouforget who you’re talking to? ADHD queen, remember?” I say, pointing a finger at myself.
“I don’t know, you did go on a date with him. And you never go on dates.” Fia twirls one of her curls around her finger.
