Page 29 of Dead Drift

“Seriously, Tanya, hot?” Hank hollered at her before she entered the cubicle in front of her.

“You know I’m just messing with you, baby,” she said as she blew him a kiss. “You know you’re the hottest.” She winked and he smiled.

The two rough-around-the-edges tattoo artists had a surprisingly playful side that didn’t fit at all with what Kate had anticipated. But like Grammie always said, never judge a dish by the way it looks. Some of the yummiest food looked the messiest. And that was certainly true of her gram’s mud pies. They always came out lopsided and indented in the center, but there was nothing better on earth. Man, she missed Gram. Sweetest little Irish fighter of a lady she’d ever known. She’d inherited so much from her.

“So,” Tanya said, indicating for Kate to take a seat as she grabbed a sketchpad and cup of colored pencils from her desk. “What’d you have in mind?”

“Something that symbolizes my love for the sea. One thing I definitely want included is a starfish, but other than that, I’d love to see what you come up with.”

This tattoo would be a reminder that God was with her through deep waters. He had been these last seven years, and she was so grateful. He was with her now as her heart was both elated at Luke’s return and torn apart. The starfish would symbolize her unending love for Luke, reminding her of the starfish ring he’d given her back in college. One she still wore to this day. Thank goodness she’d been wearing it when the boat exploded or it, too, would have been lost along with everything else.

“Cool,” Tanya said. “What size are you thinking, and where do you want it?”

Kate indicated her left shoulder blade. “This general area, and I’d say about a handspan.”

“Okay.” Tanya smacked her gum again, the smell of grape Bubblicious filling the air. “Cool.” She started sketching while Kate surveyed the ten-by-ten-foot space. Pictures of Tanya and Hank hung on the wall, sat in frames on her desk, and were clipped or pinned to various surfaces throughout the office. Tanya clearly loved her husband.

Kate wondered if she knew the type of men her husband associated with on the side. Instead of jumping right into questioning her, she’d play it cool and wait for the right timing. If she came on too strong, Tanya would retreat.

Fifteen minutes of small talk later, Tanya turned the sketchpad around. “How about this?”

It was a beautiful conch shell with a starfish nestled inside.

“It’s perfect.”

“Glad you like it. My eleven o’clock canceled. Wanna go for it?” she asked.

“Absolutely.” Not only was it perfect, but the time spent with Tanya would provide the opportunity to toss some questions her way.

To Kate’s horror, Tanya led her to the cubicle next to Luke’s. The last thing she wanted was for him to see her getting a tattoo of a starfish. He’d know the depth of meaning it held straightaway.

“You nervous?” Tanya asked, picking up on her vibe.

Kate swallowed as her gaze connected with Luke’s. “Nope.” Terrified.

Luke cocked his head up a notch. “Whatcha doing, babe?”

“She’s getting a gorgeous tat,” Tanya said, moving to show him the sketch.

“Oh, wait,” Kate said. “I want it to be a surprise.”

Tanya turned back around. “I got ya.” She winked. “Go ahead and lie down. Slide your shirt off your shoulder. It’s loose enough—you shouldn’t have to take it off.”

Thankfully she’d worn a loose, scoop-neck top with a bandeau underneath.

With a tight swallow, she made herself as comfortable as possible on the sheet-draped tattoo table.

She could practically feel Luke’s curiosity radiating through the neck-high wall separating them. She was abundantly thankful for that wall.

“First tattoo?” Tanya asked.

“Yep.”

“You’ll do just fine. You’re strong. I can tell.” She was, except when it came to Luke, and it irritated her that he still possessed that weakening effect over her emotions.

Tanya laid the cool stencil on her back and got started. Kate tensed slightly as the needle pricked in and out of her flesh. Tattoos did, in fact, hurt. But it was nothing she couldn’t weather.

She made small talk with Tanya while Luke did the same with Hank. A half hour later, Luke was done and offered to buy Hank a drink at the pub next door while Tanya finished. Hank readily took Luke up on the offer, and the two left. Now she could really start asking questions. Without Hank there to overhear, perhaps Tanya would grow even chattier.