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“Why is that? You've let Max work on you three times. I think I deserve two more times to make us even. He did a good job, especially on this seahorse.” Pete runs his fingers over it, looking just like I'm sure I did when I did the same thing. “Why the hell did you get a big ass, pink seahorse anyway?”
“And this is why I love Max. He doesn't ask questions. Are we ready to get started or what?” Ryan rolls her eyes, and I laugh.
“Are you ready?” He asks her.
“Yep.”
My eyes focus completely on where he's working. But after he does one line, I have to look away, finding Ryan's face a picture of perfection.
“You okay, Gabe?” She questions.
I shift in my seat. “Yeah, but now I know why I never wanted a tattoo. The sound for one and then to see it happen?” I shake my head, resisting the urge to shudder.
Ryan grins, and she's dying to laugh. “Glad to know it's not because you are a goody-two shoes who is scared of his-”
“Don't even say it, Ryan.”
“Fine. I won't. But you have to admit that it's hilarious that a measly tattoo scares the big bad cop.”
Leaning forward to rest my elbows on my knees, I tell her in a low voice, “Thanks for finding me so hilarious all the time.”
Ryan's smile widens, obviously thinking of the handcuffs incident. “You're welcome.”
* * *
The easy, laid back banter between us continues throughout the weekend. I love her new tattoo so much too. The red ink sticks out against her skin when she's naked and her arm moves. I love catching sight of it. Like right now as she reaches over to grab the remote from my end table, turning off the TV. She lies back down and pulls the comforter up to cover her breasts, careful not to let it touch under her arm where the tattoo is because of the cream she has to keep on it. I love spending Sundays with her. Especially when our day starts with a little bit of morning sex.
“How is this Thanksgiving ordeal going to work?” She asks, and I can hear a bit of worry hidden in her words.
“We usually get together around noon, eat around one or two, and hang out all day. You can stay with me Wednesday night or I can pick you up from your place Thursday. And you are more than welcome to stay with me Thursday night. I have to go in Friday evening, though.”
“Viv and I are going shopping Friday, so I'll just go home afterwards. She's supposed to come over and stay with me that night. Are you nervous about this at all?” She turns her head to look at me.
“No. Not one bit and you shouldn't be either.”
Chapter Twelve
Ryan
All week, when I'm not in school, I'm vigorously cleaning my apartment. Gabe might not be worried, might not think I should be, but I am. And I hate it. Gabe and my feelings for him have me feeling vulnerable. Not to mention my new tattoo.
Love.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
That's all I've been able to think about. A new four letter word that takes up too much of my thinking. When I saw the heart online, I craved it. That little tat seemed just as mesmerizing as my favorite paintings. I needed it on my body. I needed the perfect, pretty heart tattoo on my side near my own, not so pretty, not so perfect heart.
My nervous, scared to death heart.
I have no idea what's going to happen if his parents don't accept me. Will Gabe stand up for me again or will he succumb to his family? I may mean something to Gabe, and I say it that way for a reason, but if he has to choose between them or me, he would choose them.
Right?
That is his family, who he loves and cares about more than anything. Surely, he wouldn't risk his relationship with them just for a relationship with me. To avoid thinking about this all the time as Thursday loomed closer and closer, I've been cleaning like crazy. This place is spotless. Every inch of it. But the day is here. I can't clean anymore. A knock sounds at my door, and I go to answer it. I couldn't even manage to run late like usual. I'm too nervous.
Gabe stands on the other side with a big smile. At least someone is excited about this. I'm not excited, but my nerves disappear at seeing him. Instead, they are replaced with determination. I will do my best to make them like me. I want this so badly. Being in love with Gabe without him knowing is hard enough. I don't need his parents to reject me and make this harder.
“You're ready?” He says with surprise, stepping forward to kiss me sweetly.
