Page 7 of The Bad Boy's Good Girl

Nola laughed. “I meant what is required? Like a class or some type of certification?”

“I went to art school but the art scene is full of pompous shits and I dated a tattoo artist for about five minutes. I loved it and trained with this guy down in Hollywood, working and saving for my own shop. Here I am.”

“Well, congratulations,” Nola told her, meaning it. “This is a very big accomplishment, Max. You should be proud.”

“I’ll feel better when the store is open all the way.” She held up the pad for Nola to examine.

There was a hummingbird, small and beautiful with colorful feathers, pink and blue and green, sipping from a jar with a moonshine label. “Is that masking tape?”

“Yep,” she said, looking mighty proud. “with the ends starting to roll up.”

“It’s perfect,” she said, fingering the drawing with awe. “I want it. How much and how long will it take?”

Max smiled and Nola was struck with her beauty. “Maybe an hour and a half, maximum if you need a few stops.” She named a reasonable figure and waited for Nola to make up her mind.

“Let’s do it.”

Max smiled. “I think I like you Nola, and not just because you’re giving me business.”

Nola laughed. “Well I like you, too, because you’re beautiful and tough and you can draw.”

“Are you hitting on me?”

Nola laughed. “Even if I wanted to hit on you, believe me I wouldn’t have the guts. But I’m not.”

“In that case, thanks.”

Nola watched her painstakingly prepare everything with a hint of nerves running through her. She didn’t know how bad it would hurt but she knew it would. That didn’t bother her though because this was a way to honor Grammie. To carry her with me forever.“Do you have any family around here?”

“Nope.”

“Me neither. I have a good friend but I need more. That’s a hint.”

Max laughed and washed her hands before putting on purple latex gloves. “Are you asking me to be your friend?”

“No. I’m telling you that we’re going to be friends.”

“Well then I guess that means we’re going out for drinks once your ink is done.”

She laid face down on the leather seat and smiled. “I’ll buy the first round. I’m thinking tequila.”

“Damn, now I really like you.”

Nola smiled, feeling better than she had when she woke up today. Thank you, Grammie.

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