Page 19 of Midnight Ink

“Much better, Jules.” He smiles slightly. “Thank you.”

He gets up and I miss the heat of him. “Anytime.” He sits there next to me. His eyes flick to my mouth then drag up to my eyes. For half a heartbeat neither of us move. We’re stuck in this weird standstill I’ve shoved us into.

Ian blinks then pulls away, sitting back on his side of the couch and snapping this weird tension as he grabs another piece of pizza.

I’m left on this side feeling the charged effects of whatever that was.

It felt like he was going to lean in and kiss me.

Or maybe my brain’s making up more delusions than I want it to.

Whatever that was burns inside me, soft and glowing.

Like a burning star that has yet to give out.

FIVE

IAN

“This is going to be sick, man.” I turn to Julian who’s in his chair watching Jamie sketch out the mural. It’s Sunday, only three weeks since Jamie’s tattoo, and that weird moment on the roof with Julian.

Okay, maybe not weird.

For the first time in a long time I wanted to kiss someone. Be kissed.

Talking about Julian’s thing with Elijah just got the wheels turning, that’s all. I was thinking about them and how lonely I’ve been and everything just got a bit messy. I think I almost leaned in to kiss him.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

Today is his day off, but he wanted to come by and see what Jamie’s done. He’s gotten the outline finished. “I’m not sure what to do with the rest of the wall. Or do you just want it here by the station? That won’t take too long,” Jamie says, sketching on his tablet. “I could do something with the rest of the wall if you want.”

There is a lot of blank space. It’s a big wall and I appreciate Jamie doing this, but I’m worried about him physically. I know he’s high as hell right now, but I don’t want him to overextend and do shit that’ll mess him up. “Maybe later we can come up with something. For now, focus on this, okay?”

“You got it.” Jamie’s hooded eyes look back at Julian then a slow smile spreads on his face. “He’s checking out your ass,” he whispers so low I barely hear him.

“Shut up.”

The last thing I need is more encouragement. I need to get my mind together. Not for the first time, I think back to that night. It’s not like it was anything new. Julian comes over all the time. Hell, he sleeps over sometimes. Lying there in his lap as he eased my headache just did shit to my brain.

What would I have done if he’d kissed me? I think I would have let him. Even thinking that makes my gut churn. I don’t know why. It’s like this guilt poisons me whenever I think about being physical with someone new.

I’m attracted to Julian. I mean, look at him. He’s fucking handsome. Anyone can see that. He’s hot and funny and really endearing and sweet. He’s just a great fucking guy. Who wouldn’t be attracted to him?

Today his locs are pulled into a bun on his head. The sides and his nape are shaved, and a couple of loose locs spill in front of his face. He’s wearing another one of those evil fucking tank tops. I knew he would. When it’s summer out, I know he hates wearing a shirt. Not that I’d mind him tattooing without one.

Dress codes or whatever.

“Ian?”

“Huh?” I turn to Jamie and watch him shake his head.

“I said, I made the appointment for next month, but do you think it’ll be okay then?”

“How is it healing?”

Jamie sets his tablet down and lifts his shirt to show me. The crisp black lines are healing nicely. The swelling thankfully is gone. “It’s healing great.”

I was worried. Not that I thought Jamie couldn’t take care of it, it’s just in a bad spot and I knew it would swell. “It’s looking great. I think we should wait another month, though. Maybe six weeks. I’ll have Anna move it back.”