Page 60 of Ink Me Bunny
I high-five Lenny’s hand which is already in the air waiting for me to seal the deal.
After we had fun in the ocean, we ate the divine barbeque and now we watch the others continue to play on the beach as we guzzle down lemonade from the exertion we just had.
Beth and Mia try to catch the ball while Tony and Danny are throwing it high between them on purpose. My predicament is both of these women are about to tackle them to the ground in seconds.
I already laugh just thinking about it.
The fairy LEDS circle the palm tree in my backyard casting magenta light on Lenny’s swinging frame.
The sun is gone but warm colors are still covering the skies
I lean back on the chair. “Are you having fun?”
“Absolutely. It’s been a while since I’ve had this much fun. Thank you for inviting me. Your friends are the best. So welcoming.” She speaks a mile a minute again.
“I love having you here. And the fact you’re getting along with my friends is a sweet bonus.” The grin still covers my lower face as I bite down my lip, taking her in.
Her hand is reaching out to mine, skimming back and forth in soothing circles, and tickling every nerve in my system.
Like an unwelcomed rain, Beth shows up, her get-lost vibe reflects in a definitive look she throws at me and I know it’s my cue to scurry away while she has girls chat with Lenny.
I strip my gaze over to Lenny, “Good luck.”
Taking a few beers from the cooler, I head toward the beach where Tony and Danny are having a conversation and sit on the sand next to them as I hand each a bottle.
“What did my wife tell you?” Tony questions, “I know she poked you because the damn hole is still digging into your chest.” He jokes.
“You know Beth and her unfiltered mouth.”
He cackles, “All too well, brother.”
“She told me I should give myself a chance at love.”
He sighs. “My Beth. She loves you very much, and I know that you already know that but I want you to know that she thinks about you every day.” Lord, sometimes they even sound the same.
I can see the hesitation in his eyes.
“She’s worried that you’ll end up alone—”
“Like my mother did with alcohol and drugs.” My thumb traces the rim of the bottle but it doesn’t even appeal to me. “That’s not who I am.”
“Of course, we know that. And we’re not going anywhere despite your ongoing efforts. Beth is right,” he runs his hand through his hair, “That woman is always right, give yourself a chance. You’re both adults and working together in a tattoo shop is not the end of the fucking world. No need to call HR on your ass.”
I puff a half-suppressed laugh, “It’s not that.”
“If you end up hating each other she can tattoo anywhere she’d like, that girl is crazy good.” Danny enters the conversation.
Just the thought of her leaving pisses me off, “She’s not going anywhere.” I cross my arms over my chest. “She needs to stay. I have so much more to show her.”
Tony’s chill expression always reminds me of Johnny Depp with long hair. “Okay, Daddy.” He teases.
I’m starting to think it’s tattooed on my forehead.
I give him a stern look as I try to swallow the lump forming in my throat. Did I butt-dial Beth accidentally while we were in the shop?
“The kinks nowadays. So many women are into those things, they read all about it in books. I tell you the best thing that has ever happened to me and Beth. Thank god my wife likes to read so many of those dirty books because I’m all for it.” He declares to the sky. “Excuse me, spicy books and smut is how they call them.”
Danny questions, “Really?”