Page 68 of Ink

There’s that heart twinge again. This time, it’s deeper and more pronounced.

It’s… unexpected. And sweet. Really, really sweet.

“Do you have a full schedule today?” I ask, changing the subject because even though I love how easy it is to talk to Gage, he’s not the one I want to be having this conversation with.

“I have one piece booked, but it’s not that big. I’ll be able to take walk-ins since Ink is out.”

I slam back in my seat as he roughly shifts; the gears grinding as he skips one. I watch him wince at the noise that sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

I’m starting to think he might not know how to drive this thing.

“Sorry, I’m still getting the hang of it.”

“How long have you had it?” I guess I can’t talk. I did buy the cheapest car I could find that barely got me to where I needed to go.

“A few months. I saw a video online and chicks dig the stick.”

My mouth opens and closes as I try to find the words to form a response. I got nothing. I don’t know a single woman that is looking for a man who has a hole in his floorboard. But I guess they do say there’s a person out there for everyone.

I wonder if I’ve met the man Madame Saleme told me is mine. She made it sound like he’s already in my life.

The last two days have, in their own shitty way, felt like an intro to a new beginning. I thought me arriving in Ravenna Heights on its own was, but maybe I was wrong. I shouldn’t let Zach showing up take any part of that away from me.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t on edge that he’s going to show up again. He had no problem breaking into my room. What’s stopping him from showing up at the shop?

“Your gears are turning louder than speed racer, babe,” Gage says, breaking up my thoughts.

“What?”

“I said your gears are turning louder than my car. What’s on your mind?”

“Oh, just stuff.” Stuff I’d rather not speak into existence. Once it’s out in the universe, you can’t take it back and I think life has kicked me enough while I’m down lately.

“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?” Gage says after a few moments. “I’m real good with secrets. I’ll take that shit to my grave.”

I snort. “Yeah, right. You and Tommy gossip more than anyone I know.”

Gage slaps his hand over heart, feigning hurt. “We just like each other to be informed.”

“I’m sure that’s what it is.” I snicker.

We ride the rest of the drive to the shop in a comfortable silence. The day seems to be dragging without Ink here, but the guys are treating me like they usually would so that’s giving me some sense of normalcy.

I haven’t heard from Ink since this morning. I’m trying to not be disappointed that he hasn’t checked in since.

I need to be careful.

I’m treading a fine line here. He’s making it dang near impossible to not want to cross it. He keeps giving me these little pieces of himself that are giving enough hope to latch on to something that I’m not entirely sure is the best for me.

I need stable and nurturing. Not unpredictable and moody.

So freaking moody.

“I’m using the restroom real quick,” I yell over the music to Gage as I walk past his room. There’s no one waiting and the last client on the schedule is already back. They can handle a walk in or two.

I hear the bell on the front door chime just as I’m drying my hands, signaling that someone is either coming or going. Throwing the paper towel in the trash, I pull open the bathroom and power walk back to the front desk. Looking around the waiting room, I don’t see a single soul.

“Was that a walk in?” I ask Tommy, who is currently crouched below, restocking the jewelry case.