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“My mother would kill me.”
“She doesn’t have to know. And last time I checked, you’re a grown adult.”
I thought about it. It really would infuriate my mother. Maybe that was why I’d never really considered getting one before. Yet Devin had been brave enough, so why couldn’t I? And he was right—I was an adult. Why should I care what my mother thought about this?
“Did it hurt?” I asked, thinking of his pained expression during the procedure.
He smiled, knowing he was close to convincing me. “Not really.”
I pursed my lips. I always wished I was more spontaneous, but this … this was one of those “forever” decisions. “What will I have done? And where? And your face is out of the question,” I said before he could say it.
“I think it should havesomethingto do with me.”
“These things are permanent. How are you going to explain this tattoo to your next girlfriend?”
He grinned devilishly. “What girlfriend? We’ll still be together.”
He was so sure.
“How do you talk me into doing these things?”
“Because I’m just that charming.”
The next thing I knew, Jean was sketching a few ideas, but I didn’t like any of them enough to want them on me forever. I finally decided on a small heart that abstractly incorporated Devin’s initials. Jean was sure to make it unique. I had it done on my right ankle. Devin had lied; it was painful.
Jean went over the after-care for our new tattoos, and Devin paid him. Then he took down the address of the parlor so he could send the promised tickets to Sunday’s race. Jean still wasn’t convinced as he waved us out the door.
“You know that we are both out of our minds,” I said.
“And in love,” Devin agreed. “Who would do this unless they were madly in love?”
ChapterFourteen
Luna
Elizabeth and I sat on the front steps of the triplex while Devin attempted to repair Elizabeth’s car. He insisted there was an engine problem, the brakes were worn, and the car was leaking oil, so there he was, under the car making repairs before checking under the hood to see what else he had to fix. The gesture was sweet, and I could see that Elizabeth appreciated it.
“You got a tattoo?” Elizabeth said in shock as Devin lifted the hood and inspected the car’s insides. “Back in our university days we couldn’t get you to have a drink.”
“He’s changed me,” I said. “No, wait, maybe I’ve changed myself.” I liked that idea more. I’d opened myself up to new experiences, new adventures, and most importantly, I’d started to find my confidence.
Devin had gotten grease on his hands, and I, with forethought, had brought out a few rags. He took one rag and wiped his hands.
“Let me see the tattoo,” Elizabeth said.
Jean had bandaged it up. I slowly peeled back the bandage, revealing the red-and-black tattoo.
Elizabeth looked at it closely. “Are his initials D-N-F?”
“Yes,” I said, wondering if Elizabeth would put together the significance of the initials. Racing fans would immediately associate them with the dreaded “Did Not Finish,” but she didn’t comment. I was slightly disappointed. It wasn’t that I expected Elizabeth to know racing jargon, but a girl could hope.
“And he got one too?”
“It’s on his chest.”
“I do want to see it, but I’ll wait for it to properly heal.”
He’d pulled out the jack and was hoisting the car. He was finding Elizabeth’s car a challenge. He had so little time to tinker around with cars. But the idea of trying to find ways to make cars run smoother relaxed him. If given more time, he would have completely taken Elizabeth’s car apart.
