Page 37 of Electric Touch

Or, provided she shows, Adrestia with her strange facts and gorgeous face can do it.

Chapter Twelve

“You’re beautiful, my angel. You look so darn pretty today.” Mama sits on the arm of the chair Ariella is in, patting her hair. My sister tries to push her off, but she’s laughing.

She has a small ground-floor apartment. It’s as cheery as her, painted yellow in most rooms, with white furniture and orange accents. Her chair is beside the patio doors, overlooking the massive, beautiful, landscaped garden.

“Mama, why don’t you go get us some lemon drizzle cake from Mrs Esposito?” I suggest. Ariella’s neighbour makes the best cake. Mama loves talking to her. Hank is joining us for our afternoon visit later, as he had to finish up some work. Mama agrees with a clap of her hands, like it’s the best idea, and leaves.

“Show me the photos,” Ariella gets up and comes to sit beside me.

I take out my phone and pull up the pictures of everything I’ve done.

“I don’t want to see you naked,” Ariella says, her head rearing back as she remembers the life class.

“I did not take naked pictures, Ari.” I nudge her arm.

“Good, because that would be gross.”

“Charming.”

“Well, you’re my sister. It is gross.”

“The feeling is mutual,” I give her a side-eyed look but pass her my phone.

We spend a while looking at the pictures. She laughs at some of them, widens her eyes at others. She links her arm through mine and puts her head on my shoulder.

“I’m proud of you, Tia,” she whispers.

I rest my head on top of hers and we’re quiet for a moment, just being.

“Okay,” she sits up. “Tattoo time. Lemme see it.”

I turn my back and sweep my long hair to the side to show her my tattoo.

“Wow, Tia. It’s beautiful. I can’t believe you got a mockingbird,” she breathes out.

“Apollo designed it.”

“Big old softy,” she smiles softly. “I love it. It’s beautiful, just like you,” she adds.

Mama returns, hearing the end of our conversation. She sets the cake down on the dining table and comes to look at the tattoo.

“I’ve always thought about getting a tattoo,” she says, after telling me how wonderful it is.

“You,” Ariella scoffs. “You’re terrified of needles.

“If my Tia can do it, so can I.” Mama puts her arm around me. She pulls me into her body and hugs me tight. She kisses the top of my head. Her eyes are wet when she looks at me. I try not to let my emotions get the better of me, too.

When Hank arrives, we all enjoy the cake and coffee, catching up on our week. I decide not to tell them I’m having guitar lessons from a famous rockstar. It sucks thinking about the gig the other night. Except when I get into bed and the air is still and dark. My mind fixates on how he kissed me. On how my heart leapt out of my chest into his hands.

Then he looked at Riley and the bubble popped.

I could have been sad or jealous, but I’m a pragmatist. He is getting out of a serious relationship. It won’t be easy for him. Moving on so soon isn’t realistic. I’d made my thoughts clear at the start of the evening. It is best we don’t act on it.

So him kissing me was a surprise. I refuse to be upset about Riley. After all, once the guitar lessons are through, what reason do I have to see him? Time is short. I have too much to do to pine over someone who has not got his heart back yet.

“When will you be able to teach me how to do a backflip?”

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