Page 30 of Ink & Desire

Years?I don’t know why it sounds so shocking. Of course, I’d known this wouldn’t be easy. It’s not like I can just pick up a tattoo machine and instantly be good at it. But I don’t want to wait years just to start tattooing. And I definitely don’t want to wait a year before I can even try tattooing.

“To be honest,” Corbin goes on, oblivious to my internal debate. “I’ve never been interested in taking on an apprentice. I’m not a great teacher and I don’t have the patience to hold someone’s hand while they fuck up left and right.”

I try not to let my irritation at his comments show, but I secretly think he’s right. He clearly lacks the patience required for teaching. This is going to be a disaster.

“But I’ve given it some thought,” he says. “And if you’re willing to do what it takes to learn every aspect of this business, I’ll do my best to teach you the mechanics of tattooing. But that means you’re here 6 days a week. You’ll be available to do anything asked of you in this shop while you’re here. That includes cleaning, stocking, answering phones, and scheduling appointments. Basically, anything I don’t have time to do. Jessie was right about that, at least. We do need someone to help around here.”

I narrow my eyes. “So, this is like a job?”

“This is a job, Miss Scott,” he says. “You’ll show up on time, do the work and collect a paycheck. After 90 days, if I think you have what it takes, I’ll start training you to tattoo. But you need to prove you’re reliable and willing to get those manicured hands dirty.”

He eyes me for a moment. “Have you ever had a job before?”

“I spent summers working at my family’s business,” I say. “But nothing like this.”

He nods. “That’s what I thought.”

I bite back a reply. He’s not wrong, but it’s irritating to feel so judged by this man who doesn’t know the first thing about me. I try to tell myself I don’t care what he thinks of me, but I know I’m lying. I don’t want him to think I’m some useless girl who doesn’t know the first thing about working a real job. Even though that’s technically true. I want him to see that I'm capable. I want him to see that there's more to me than he thinks.

“I’m a fast learner,” I say. “And I’m not afraid of hard work. Just tell me what’s expected of me and give me the tools needed to do the job. I’ll make it happen.”

I’m proud of the way my voice comes out sounding confident and sure, despite the nerves in my belly. I know if I screw this up, I won’t get another chance. Corbin strikes me as the type of man who doesn’t forgive easily. The fact that I’m here at all today is a big deal. Which reminds me. I know I shouldn’t be bringing his attention back to that disastrous first meeting, but I need to know.

“Why did you change your mind about me?” I ask.

He looks at me for a moment before speaking. “I haven’t yet. That’s up to you. But if you’re asking why I decided to give you a shot, you can thank Jessie. She seems to think you’d be a good fit here.” He shrugs. “I’m still on the fence.”

I nod, feeling slightly disappointed by the answer. Not that I’d expected him to tell me that he suddenly saw the potential in me and decided the shop needed me. It’s clear that he hadn’t really wanted to take me on as his apprentice. But he did, so I’m going to make sure he never has cause to regret it.

“I’ll prove to you that I can do this,” I say, hoping my words sound as confident to Corbin as they do in my head.

His expression is unreadable, so I can’t tell if I’ve swayed him. If I had to guess, I’d say no. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t need to convince him today. I need to show him. And I will.

“We’ll see, Miss Scott,” he says.

“Avery,” I correct. “You can call me Avery.”

His lips quirk up into something that almost resembles a smile and I feel my insides do a complicated little flip at the sight. It’s gone almost as quickly as it had appeared, which is a good thing. I don’t need to think about how sexy that little grin is. I don’t need to let myself wonder what caused that grin. And I absolutely do not need to wonder how those lips would feel on mine. I need to focus on this apprenticeship and convincing Corbin I’ll be a good tattoo artist.

“Is something funny about my name?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Not really. It suits you.”

I wonder if that’s a compliment or an insult, but I don’t ask. I don’t think I want to know the answer. Besides, I can’t help the name my mother gave me.

“Okay,” he says. “You can call me Corbin.”

I dip my head once. “Corbin,” I say, enjoying the way his name rolls off my tongue.

Stop that!I mentally scold myself, but I’m not sure it makes much difference.

“Here.”

It takes me a second to notice the folder he’s holding toward me. I take it, wondering what’s inside. Before I can open it, Corbin explains.

“In that folder is a list of your job duties and a contract. You can read over it and bring it back tomorrow if you’re agreeable to the terms. But it states that you’ll work here at the shop as an assistant for 90 days, at which point you’ll be evaluated, and I’ll decide whether to move forward with an official apprenticeship. There’s no requirement for you to stay the full 90 days. If we decide it’s not working out, you can leave any time. It also states your pay rate and the shop’s policies.”

I nod, my eyes locked on the folder in my hands.

---