Page 55 of Conflicted
“Hang on.” Ruby scrolled through the calendar on her phone. “Make it seventy-five minutes and I can do that.”
After disconnecting the call, Ruby busied herself until the next client came. The first timer wanted a small tattoo of a wolf on his upper arm. The design was simple, and the placement shouldn’t take more than about an hour—a perfect beginner’s tattoo. Since she expected the client any moment, she could have accepted Bob’s hour, but she preferred to take her time—especially with people who didn’t have any experience.
Rebecca usually did the tattoo-virgins, but this client preferred Ruby’s designs. When he arrived ten minutes early, Ruby took him through selecting the placement of the tattoo and transferring the design on his arm, before she led him to her station and Dan settled in the comfortable chair.
“Are you ready, Mr. Mitchell?”
“Might as well call me Dan.”
Ruby didn’t answer but inclined her head.
Dan gave her a cocky grin. “Bring it on.” He leaned back his head and closed his eyes. Not as confident as he wants to pretend, is he?
The familiar hum of the tattoo gun in her ear, Ruby bent over Dan’s arm and placed the first line.
Dan opened an eye and lifted his head slightly. “That isn’t as bad as I expected.”
Ruby smiled. “This is an excellent spot for your first tattoo. Tell me if you need a break, otherwise I’ll continue,” and Ruby let the familiarity of the work and the hum of the machine pull her into her happy place—dip, draw, wipe clean—repeat, until she finished the picture.
When Bob entered the parlor over an hour later, Ruby was covering the wolf tattoo on Dan with a thin layer of ointment.
Rebecca rose and walked over to Bob before Ruby could object. “Welcome to Skin and Needles Body Designs. How may we help you?”
Ruby duck her head over her client’s arm and wrapped plastic around the tattoo and instructed him on aftercare while she tried to listen in on Bob explaining he wasn’t here for a tattoo or piercing.
By the time Ruby said goodbye to her client, Rebecca’s puzzled expression cleared. “You’re the psychologist friend who is going to help our girl get straight.” She held out her hand. “Rebecca Harris—Ruby’s business partner.”
Bob engulfed her hand with his. “Bob Lions.”
They stared at each other for a long time, and Ruby shuffled her feet. Should I clear my throat? Excuse myself?
Before Ruby could move, Bob tore his gaze from Rebecca. “There’s my girl.” He held out his arms and Ruby walked into his embrace and breathed in his familiar scent. After a long moment, he held her at arm’s length and studied her face. “There’s something you have in common with your momma, sugar.”
Ruby quirked an eyebrow.
“You don’t eat when stressed.” He made it a statement and not a question.
Her cheeks heated. “I haven’t had much appetite lately.”
Bob hummed.
“Let me get my coat.”
As Ruby rushed to the coatrack, she overheard Bob asking, “Tell me, how does a beautiful woman become a tattoo artist?”
Although she couldn’t hear Rebecca’s answer, she noticed the husky laughter from her business partner. Both seemed to be attracted to the other person. Interesting.
After saying goodbye to Rebecca, Bob and Ruby stepped outside and started to walk down the street. A gust of wind slammed against them and Ruby shivered.
“You’re wasting away.” Bob pulled her against his side, and she slid her arm around him and nestled her chilly hand under his jacket and shirt—eliciting a grunt and a shudder from Bob. Ruby giggled and her world brightened a bit.
They walked half a mile before Bob prodded her. “You wanted to talk.”
“I do,” but words didn’t seem to come out of her, her throat constricted and strangled the sounds.
Bob squeezed her biceps, his strong arm behind her back steadying and comforting. “What tattoo did your last client get?”
Ruby’s shoulders lowered away from her ears. “A wolf.”
