Page 49 of Imperfect Skin

“You’re always bossy with me, so she’s not going to see it any different.” Mouse gave a soft laugh. “So, you mean like you said before, eating properly and getting enough sleep?”

“Yes, among other things.”

“Like what?”

“Tidying up after yourself—your room for example—and then there is your propensity for calling customers wankers to their face and getting distracted at work.” I saw his jaw firm and his brown eyes narrow as he got ready to argue. “Lamb, when you’re working on someone you are the utmost professional, and your skills with both tattooing and piercing are among the best I’ve ever seen. But when you’re not working on a client you get distracted and easily irritated. How long did it take you to sit down and draw that lion’s head for that guy’s shoulder last week?”

“About two hours, give or take.”

“Hmm. That doesn’t include the four hours you spun on your chair or annoyed your brother or played drums on the countertop.”

Mouse’s shoulders slumped. “Okay, yeah, you have a point. But using Simon’s head as a drum is also part of the creative process.”

“Is it now? I’m pretty sure he’d rather not be part of the process. I want to see more sketches from you. Your skill and art are amazing, and I want some pieces to put up and show off.”

A blush rose past Mouse’s beard, colouring his cheeks. “You really think so?”

“I do. I would never have hired you if I didn’t see the potential in you.”

“Okay, yeah. I see what you’re saying. If you think this will help, then I’m all in. If it doesn’t though, what then? I know you’ve said you’re all in, but there is also the fact that I work for you. You’re still my boss. I know myself well enough that it’s not going to be a problem for me, but what about you?”

“I think we’re both sensible enough to know if we’re crossing boundaries, but let’s be honest, the waters are muddy enough there.”

Mouse chuckled. “Actually, I have an idea. Something I’ve been wanting todiscuss with you and Sy, but I’ve not had the chance to talk to the two of you about it.”

Reaching across the table, I gathered one of Mouse’s hands in mine. “Tell me.”

“Okay, this is something I’ve been thinking about for a while now.” He nodded, as if to himself. “So, I never touched the money Mum left me, and I’ve been adding my pay cheque to it since I started working at the studio. I leave enough for the essentials, like the board you never accept from me.”

He looked at me, as if seeking approval, which I was more than happy to give.

“I told you from the beginning I wasn’t going to need board from you, but it’s sensible, lamb. Putting money aside gives you a solid nest egg, as my mum would call it.”

Mouse licked his lips nervously. “So, I wasn’t in a rush to buy a flat or move away from here, as you can guess.”

“For that, I’m pretty grateful. I don’t know if I tell you enough, but I love having you live here. I don’t think I realised how much you being here means to me and Alice until recently.”

“I love it here too, and not just because it gave me a chance to pine over you up close. Being here with you and Alice has felt like being home from day one. So I thought about what I wanted to do with my money, and I realised I love working at Viking Ink and I don’t see myself ever wanting to work anywhere else. So, what if I offer to buy in, become a part owner with you and Simon?” He took a deep breath and slumped back down.

That was a brilliant idea.

Sy and I had been talking about bringing Mouse into the partnership, but neither of us were certain he’d want to stick around.

“That’s a pretty amazing idea. I only hesitate because I don’t want you to feel like you have to do that for this thing between us to continue, because that is furthest from the truth.” I hadn’t thought about how our work life could be affected by this change in our relationship, but Mouse, it seemed, had.

“No, look. Neither you nor I are stupid enough to proclaim this is forever or that sort of shit yet, and even if things didn’t work out with us, I’d still love working at the studio. Viking Ink is my second home, and I can’t see any time when I wouldn’t want to be there. I’ve thought about this a lot, and I know you and Sy were talking about taking on another business partner. I may be a disorganized bastard, but I do have smarts when it comes to business.”

I shook my head in wonder, smiling broadly. “You are bloody amazing, is what you are.” I pushed my chair back and held out my arms. “Come here and give me a hug.” Mouse just about leapt out of his chair. Climbing into my lap, a small hiss escaped him as he sat down.

“Bum still sore, sweet thing?”

“Of course it bloody is, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He looped his arms around my neck, smiling. “So you think it’s a good idea, then?”

“I really do. You need to give me a few weeks to talk to the accountant, and we’ll have to sit down and talk to Simon, but I think it’s a damn good idea.”

“So, have we finished talking about all the serious stuff?” His hands had slipped under my shirt, and he was running his fingers along my stomach.

“Why, you have somewhere to be?” I smirked, seeing a wicked glint in his eye.

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