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“Look through those.” John gestured to three thick binders sitting on the table beside me. “Maybe you’ll see something you like.”
I picked up a binder, but it remained closed on my lap. The sound of the needle sounded like the dreadful dentist’s drill, and I cringed as it dug into Tanner’s skin for the first time.
Tanner’s eyes tightened, and his jaw tensed under his skin, though I knew he would never admit to the pain.
“The outline is the worst part,” John murmured, deep in concentration.
For the first thirty minutes, I was completely engrossed in watching John’s steady hand as he followed the lines he had sketched. After that, I began flipping through the binders of artwork, searching for something to peak my interest. Pictures of roses, skulls, and hearts all blurred together. John’s work was incredible, but nothing jumped out at me.
Two hours later, Tanner’s shoulder piece was finally done. Tim’s tombstone was etched onto his arm, surrounded by clusters of small roses on either side.
“Wow,” I said when Tanner stood up. “That’s beautiful.”
John wiped the excess ink and blood from Tanner’s shoulder, and lightly dabbed the ointment on top. “Keep this covered for a couple of hours.” He walked us to the register in the front of the shop, and rattled off care instructions.
“Do you love it?” I asked once we were inside Tanner’s car.
He was grinning from ear to ear. “I do.”
“I wonder what your mom will say.”
He shrugged. “Too late now.”
“Yes. Yes, it is.”
When I got home, I called Chase. I needed to hear his voice. I needed to know that he was still there – still in love with me. The days were adding up, and soon it would be two months since we had seen each other. The more days that passed, the harder it was to remember how it felt to be held; to be kissed; to look into his eyes; to fall asleep wrapped up in his arms. I called him, knowing he would not answer.
The conversation with T.J. occupied my mind. I had never thought about what I needed in order to feel loved. For so many years, I had forgotten what it felt like to be loved by someone – by anyone – until Chase came into my life. I did not have a list of prerequisites needed to date me. All I knew was that Chase loved me, and in whatever way that was, it was exactly what I needed.
Chapter Thirteen
He Deserves Better
Monday morning, I was eager to get to work. I knew Tanner was, too. Charlotte would be starting her first day of training with Beverly, and my plan would commence.
“You look nervous,” I whispered to Tanner as we walked to the front door of the shop. “What’s your plan?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I’ll know when I see her.”
I gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. “All you have to do is smile and say hi. It’s only the first day. Ease into it.”
He did not respond as he held the door open for me.
Charlotte was already sitting behind the counter with Beverly. Her long blonde hair was curled at the ends, cascading down over her shoulders, and her makeup was perfectly done. I noted her efforts, and took them as a positive sign. I saw her eyes light up for a split second when Tanner stepped inside, right before they quickly averted to a pile of papers in front of her.
“Morning, ladies.” I waved as I grabbed a water bottle from the refrigerator.
“Good morning,” Charlotte said, overly cheerful for seven o’clock in the morning.
“Your hair looks great curled like that.” I hit Tanner in the arm. “Doesn’t her hair look nice?”
He barely looked up at her. “Her hair always looks nice.”
Charlotte’s pale cheeks turned bright pink within half a second, but she was smiling.
I felt like Shelly as I stared at the two awkward lovers before me. I now understood the enjoyment she got out of matchmaking, as I could feel my plan working already. I winked at Beverly, whose amused expression mirrored mine, before walking into the garage.
My happiness turned to longing as I set my tools up for the day ahead of me. Tanner and Charlotte did not know how lucky they were to be in the presence of each other – to be in the same town, in the same state, on the same coast. My buzzing phone in my back pocket startled me out of my thoughts, and when I looked at who was calling, my smile spread from ear to ear.
