Page 110 of Midnight Ink

“You’re a little obsessed with me.”

“It’s pathetic, right?”

“So pathetic.” He smiles.

“I’m sorry about the things I’ve done and the way I acted. More than that, I’m sorry if I’ve ever made you think this isn’t your shop too. This place is what it is because of you.” I slip my fingers into his. “Just thank you. For everything.”

He leans in, pressing a quick kiss to my lips. “Come on. Let’s go see it.”

I open the door and smile at the giant sheet covering the mural on the back wall. I’ve seen it in stages, but I can’t wait to see it done.

I take Jamie’s hand and give him a hug. “Thank you so much,” I whisper. “Anything you need or want. Tattoos for life.”

“He’s going to love it,” Jamie says softly and lets me go.

“Ready?” Julian looks at me with a nod.

Jamie tugs the sheet down, revealing the mural.

Silence cuts through the shop. My fingers tighten around Julian’s. I don’t look away from the mural. Not yet. Maddox is smiling in that way I remember meant trouble.

Then I feel Julian’s fingers tighten in mine. I turn to him, his glassy eyes fixed on his mother. His jaw works like he’s trying to keep himself together. I squeeze his hand, grounding him in the way he holds me down every single day.

“She belongs here,” I whisper. “With him. With us.”

His fingers curl tighter in mine. He inhales sharply.

“You don’t have to be brave right now,” I whisper to him. “I’ve got you.”

Julian turns into me. I crowd him in my arms, holding him while he hugs me tighter. “Thank you,” he murmurs. I slide my hand up and down his spine holding him here with me.

“It’s really beautiful,” Anna says beside me.

Jamie lets out a shaky laugh, looking up at his best friend. “Yeah, it came out amazing.” Noah’s arms loop around Jamie’s waist as he smooths his hand over his stomach. It feels heavy in this shop, but in the best way possible. We’ve all lost so much. But we’re here, and that feels like an amazing thing.

Julian doesn’t let go right away. Instead, he keeps his hand on my back. When he finally pulls away, he gives me a quick kiss then goes to thank Jamie. I stand here, looking up at Maddox. It’s a soft ache that never goes away.

Anna startles me, coming up beside me and hugging me. “Please don’t stab me.”

“You’re an asshole,” she whispers, looking up at me. “He’d be proud of you.”

I rub her head, which annoys her, but I catch the slight smile. “He’d be proud of us both, Grems.”

Her mouth curves into a small smile and fuck, I can’t resist pressing a quick kiss on her temple, laughing when she scrubs it away.

Julian comes back to me, snaking his arms around my waist. His eyes are clear. Happy.

For the first time in a long time, we’re all exactly where we should be.

The bell over the door rings through the shop, and we turn.

Ice water splashes down my spine as I look at the woman with a pixie cut and brown hair. So different to the long blonde I was used to. “Oh.” She swallows hard. “I didn’t think—” Ari’s eyes pass between us all. “Sorry, I um. Anna, your uh, your order is um—” Her eyes flick to Jamie, and I think I see shame on her face. Noah’s eyes harden on her then look up at Jamie who’s just staring. “Your mom’s order is ready. I’m sorry. I um, it’s there whenever.” She turns back out of the shop, and I look at Jamie who’s looking at where her body just was.

“Sorry, my mom ordered stuff for my dad’s birthday,” Anna says softly, not meeting any of our eyes. “I’m um, I’m going to go get that. I’ll see you both Monday.” What the hell was that about? I’ve never seen Anna that nervous. What the hell is going on?

“You okay?” I ask Jamie.

My words snap him out of some trance and he nods. ‘Yeah, I’m okay, I just. I want to talk to her.”