Page 35 of Madam Alana

“A muse helps one create. As I mentioned, mine has beensilent. For too long, I felt hollow inside. After my parents were gone, my museleft me.”

“Then you saw me on stage?” I swallowed down the suddenemotion.

He dipped his chin. “And then I saw you. It sounds like amovie or a dream sequence, but there was a halo of light around your entirebody, and when I looked into your eyes, I saw it.”

“What did you see?” I held my breath, desperate to know whathe’d seen.

“My future. With you.”

“Christo…” I whispered, my heart pounding a mile a minutewithin my chest as his gaze heated, swirling with desire and something more.

“I like this little name,” he purred, his voice raw andgravely.

“Nickname,” I corrected, smiling.

“Oui.Christo. It sounds like meltedchocolate coming from your tongue.” He licked his lips, making me want to kissthem.

I inhaled sharply as his pupils dilated.

“All done,” the tattoo artist announced, breaking themoment.

“Wow. Really?” I glanced at my inner arm and saw the two thumbprintsmelded together to make a stunning heart.

“It’s amazing, I love it!” I gushed. “Let’s see Celine’s,” Isaid, with giddy excitement.

Christophe and I thanked the artist and went to Celine’sbooth. He was just pulling off his black gloves as she stared down at thedesign.

“It’s awesome! Now we’ll always have one another with us!”she exclaimed, bouncing out of thechairand showingme her tattoo.

“Wait! Let me capture this memory,” Christophe stated,pulling out the trusty camera from his bag.

Celine and I held our arms out so he could see the artworkas we smiled for the picture. He snapped a couple and then grinned. “I thinkit’s time to get you back to your husband.”

Celine wiggled where she stood. “Can’t wait to see what myhusband thinks of my ink! If he’s happy, we’ll have great sex. If he’s unhappy,we’ll havephenomenalsex.” She winked.

I knew Celine and her personality well. Better than anyoneelse in the universe. What was so disheartening was that she believed what shespouted. Maybe I was wrong and being judgmental? Just because I didn’t care forDarren’s personality and crass behavior didn’t mean there wasn’t another sideto him. One that he showed my best friend and no one else. That was certainlypossible.

It was still hard to wrap my head around. My first instinctwas to run from any relationship that came with bruises on my cheek and wrists.And yet, she seemed genuinely excited to go back to him.

We exited the shop while Christophe paid for the tattoos.

“This will be the last time we’ll see each other for a longtime.” Celine sighed and looked up at the night sky.

I nodded, not sure what to say. There was too much. Years ofbeing together. Through highs, lows, ups and downs, there had always beenCeline.

“How will I live without you every day?” I admitted, tearsfilling my eyes.

She wiped at her own eyes and sniffled. “You’ll look at thetattoo.” She came closer and I showed her my inner bicep. She lightly placedher thumb over her print that had been covered in ointment and clear wrap.“When you feel alone or are missing me, just place your thumb right here, and I’llfeel it. Wherever I am, no matter where I end up, a piece of me will always beright here. With you. The first person I ever loved with my whole heart. My sister.My best friend. My Alana.”

I reached out and placed my thumb lightly over my print onher inner arm. “And a piece of me will forever be with you. My sister. My bestfriend. My Celine. I’ll love you always. You know that, right?”

She smiled so huge I could see most of her teeth. “I’m easyto love.”

I pulled her into a hug so tight I wanted our souls tomerge together. “Yes, you are.”

“I love you too, Alana.”

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