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“Hey, soldier,” she coos in a sultry voice, bringing her arms around my neck.
“Hey, silly girl,” I return, looking down at her adoringly. “About how much time are the bride and groom supposed to put in at these things?”
“Why?” she smiles charmingly up at me. “You’ve had enough already?”
“Just ready to be alone with you.”
“So you can find out what I might be wearing under my dress?” she asks as she lifts a seductive eyebrow.
“Oh, please say it’s lace,” I beckon as I smooth a hand down the back of her hair.
“You know,” she starts in, with a smug tone, “it’s not like we have to actually tell anyone we’re leaving.”
“Luna Shane, are you suggesting we sneak out to go make love?”
She lifts a shoulder. “Your cabin or mine?” she smirks.
“Fuck that, I’ve got our own private honeymoon suite set up on the lake front,” I inform her.
That prospects makes her nibble on her lower lip before giving me a warm smile I can’t help but return. Planting a quick kiss to her lips, I whisper, “Let’s go,” before taking her hand and leading her out of our reception.
BONUS EPILOGUE
LUNA, FIVE YEARS LATER
Asmile of satisfaction settles across my face from where I stand at the front of the room, gathering up used brushes in my bin to take to the sink. It was a small class of twelve tonight, but they’re all lit up and proud of themselves for completing the painting of a misty forest I instructed them through with the sun shining through the trees as they take turns posing for pictures with their respective pieces. I let them all hang out and carry on, despite the fact that we’re closing shortly.
I set the bin of brushes in the sink and grab up the laundry basket to collect aprons and drop cloths next as one of the customers approaches me. She’s a petite woman looking to be around my age, and she adjusts her glasses as she asks, “Excuse me, is it true we can actually have our own work that we did here turned into a tattoo?”
“Uh-huh,” I nod warmly. “Did you see the parlor on the other side of the hall?” she nods in answer. “Kaleb can easily have your project put on the transfer paper. Do you want to come with me up front to schedule a consult?”
“Sure!” She lights up and I smile back at her as I set the basket down and wave lightly for her to follow me up to the front desk so I can hop on the computer to look at our calendar. When we reach the desk, I catch a glimpse of my husband through the entry way that opens up into the parlor. He looks up at me as he’s placing the plastic wrap over a man’s bicep that he just finished work on, and gives me a wink.
I take my place behind the desk, carefully lowering myself into the chair which makes the corner of my customers mouth pull up.
“When are you due?” she asks cordially, nodding to my boulder of a belly that protrudes from under my stretchy black top.
“About four more weeks,” I smile coyly as I wake up my computer. I don’t tell her that it could actually be any day now, seeing as how twins tend to arrive early.
“That’s exciting,” she muses before we get to work scheduling her for a consult with Kaleb, as well as a first session in a couple of weeks.
A couple more patrons have gathered behind her, their eyes scanning the wall behind me as they wait their turn. There, they get to be assured they’re in good hands with Kaleb as his certification is displayed, as well as his business degree, boasting from a beautiful frame. On the other side resides my Bachelor’s degree from NICA, and between them, is a wonderfully fun photo of the two of us posing with Leo Mills, who owns Wishbone Tattoo in the UK. My Uncle Matt thought it would be a great way to spend our honeymoon, visiting another country while learning a thing or two from him. He’s a Jason Momoa-looking dude with an astounding talent and incomparable wit.
“Thank you so much for the class,” the next person in line says as he steps up to the desk.
“You’re so welcome.” I flash him a smile as I take his debit card.
“Just asking for some friends,” he begins as he leans his forearms on the desk as I process his payment. “For tattoos, do we have to choose from your portfolios?” He nods to the coffee table by the cozy couch in the waiting area, where a collection of binders sit, containing works from both Kaleb and me.
“Nope. If you schedule a consultation with Kaleb, he can draw up anything you want. It just costs an additional fee if you want him to come up with something.” I glint up at the man in question as he strides in, ushering out his last customer of the day. His sleeves are pushed up, revealing more tats than ever that he’s accumulated over the last few years.
“Bragging about me again?” he smirks as he comes behind me and starts massaging my shoulders.
“Never,” I snark at him with an eye roll as I peruse our calendar for the next open time slot.
Once everyone has been taken care of, we close up for the evening. We’re open again tomorrow and I’m exhausted, so we’ve opted to stay the night here tonight up in our loft.
“Food’s on its way,” Kaleb updates me as I settle down on the couch in the corner where we have a living area set up with a TV.
