Page 13 of Just Between Us

I immediately made a mental note that my new sassy cat tattoo would be getting the same shade for its eyes.

I leaned against the doorjamb and observed as Luna greeted the woman. “Hi, I’m Luna. We met the other day. Welcome to King Tattoo.”

The woman commanded the room as she walked in. I was immediately struck by her beauty and grace.

Her stride was swift and confident. “Nice to officially meet you. Thanks for the assist—that T-shirt came in handy. I’m Veda Bauer.” Veda’s head tipped as the women shook hands.

I realized she was the woman working with JP and the very person who’d become the victim of my childish prank, and a pit formed in my stomach. Seeing her from across the roadway was nothing compared to the stunner that was commanding the room. Pressure slammed into my chest, and my breath caught as I watched her.

Her smile was cool and calculated. “Luna. Real or fake name?”

Luna grinned and pressed her hand to her chest—today’s nails were sharp points in a glossy red. “Goddess given.”

Veda nodded and looked around my shop as if she were mentally noting every detail and cataloging it in that pretty head of hers.

When her eyes locked on mine, I kicked off the door and strode toward her to hold out my hand. “Royal King.”

Those sharp, assessing eyes narrowed on me. “Royal? Real name?”

A smirk lifted at the corner of my mouth as my hand enveloped hers. “I see you’ve already picked up a few things.”

Her chin lifted as we shook. “I’ve learned that tourism here is strong, locals seem to have an aversion to their birth-given names, and some even like to wear Moon Boots as a fashion statement.”

I grinned and gestured toward her. “Oh, so you’ve met Bootsy.”

Her eyes widened as if I was only proving her point. She gently cleared her throat. “I also learned the hard way that the town has a bit of a delinquency problem. In fact, your sister Sylvie confirmed that the children of this town are a bit of a problem.”

She glanced at Luna, and my traitorous employee bit back a smile.

A throat clearing accompanied by a nod was all I could muster. I still felt horrible for the prank, but since Veda seemed to be unharmed and taking it in stride, I could actually see the humor in it.

I stifled my own giggle and clamped my molars together. “Nice to meet you. In town long?”

Veda straightened, and I watched as a veil of indifference slipped over her sharp features. “I’ll be assisting your brother JP for the time being.”

Something pinged in the back of my skull, and my eyes narrowed. There was no way in hell this woman wasanyone’sassistant, but if that was how JP wanted to play it, then so be it.

I crossed my arms, intrigued by the new girl in town. “I think you’ll find Outtatowner to be a place unlike any other.”

Veda smiled politely, her eyes flicking down to my crossed arms.

She stilled, her entire body locking up.

Her gaze fixed on the back of my hand. Sure, I was used to the gawking and often impolite curiosity about my tattoos, butthe way her eyes pinned to the skull that peeked out from my shirtsleeve was intense.

I shifted, squirming under her sharp assessment.

Her eyes lifted to mine, and her frosty glare went ice cold. Intensity pulled at her mouth as it formed a hard line.

My brows pinched down. “Was there something I could help you with?”

“No.” Her eyes snapped up. “If I need anything from you, I’ll ask.”

Luna’s brows popped up in surprise, and I frowned.

Perhaps she had somehow connected me with ruining her morning the other day, but I couldn’t see how. My hand opened but dropped to my side. “Great. Come by anytime.”

Veda’s black hair whipped around as she turned toward the door. “That won’t be necessary.”

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