I exhale all the tension and squeeze her a little tighter. She buries her face into my shoulder, and we linger in the embrace a few moments longer. Neither of us says a thing.
She thanks me again as she pulls away, and I realize I’m reluctant to let go.
I follow her down the stairs and we settle on the couch. She puts that silly show on. I check emails on my phone and shoot some texts out to clients checking on how their new tattoos are healing and reminding others of upcoming appointments.
“I thought Zeke was into Camber.” I glance casually up from my phone.
“No, she’s hooking up with Braxton.”
“But weren’t they kissing last episode?”
“That was three episodes ago. He’s trying to start something with Ainsley.”
“That’s never going to happen. She’s been eyeing Josiah since day one.”
Livvy quirks an eyebrow at me. “I thought you weren’t interested in this show.”
“I’m not.” I just happen to be in the living room whenever she’s watched it this week, that’s all.
She laughs. Still smiling, she starts typing on her phone. Probably texting someone.
Probably Anthony.
I don’t know why that idea irks me so much.
So I go back to my phone, too, Braxton whining to producers about how girls don’t like nice guys nowadays in the background.
I sent Angel a message when I first got up, but she hadn’t replied by the time I started the waffles. I open the app to see if she’s responded yet and there she is. Three tiny dots pop up as she types. My chest tightens as my heart does a stupid little leap.
2Horned:
Good morning, beautiful
ANG3L:
You’re “good morning, beautiful”-ing me?
2Horned:
Too much?
ANG3L:
I mean, you don’t even know what I look like, it’s very presumptuous of you
2Horned:
I know you’re beautiful on the inside, that counts. And I have a feeling you are on the outside too
ANG3L:
You do?
2Horned:
Yes. I’m very good at guessing these things
You know, there is a way to settle this. Just send me a picture