Page 23 of Watercolor Skulls

Dirk crouches down beside her. His eyes aren’t on the tattoo. He is looking at something else. His gaze climbs up my frame and he drills me with a long look that makes me turn away.

“What’s this from?” His calloused finger pushes on one of my bruises, making me wince. Jesse shoves his hand away and pulls him to his feet.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I fell.” I reach down, grabbing my jeans and quickly pull them up. Enough show and tell for today. “We should probably eat. Our food is getting cold.”

He narrows his eyes but drops the subject. Jesse’s gaze flits around the room. “You did a great job painting. Seems you have a talent for this sort of thing.” She walks over to my sunflower window and smiles at it. “I’m happy you found a use for the old windows.”

We all go back outside and finish our supper. “Thank you for this,” I say, covering my mouth with my hand as I chew. “It’s so good.”

Dirk is leaning against his bike smoking a cigarette, watching us.

“I’m a bit of a foodie,” she admits. “We are having a grill out next week. You should come. The guys make the best burgers and steaks.”

“If it’s as good as this, count me in,” I tease, bumping her shoulder with mine.

She smiles and pauses as if deep in thought. “I do feel bad I wasn’t there today, but I guess it worked out. Your tattoo really is beautiful. It’s soyou.”

I think about it.

It isme.

It’s like Dan saw me, really saw me. I trace the image over my jeans. It’s a skull with lilies covering one side of its face, a dragonfly flying over them. But it’s done in watercolor. The color is random, splashed outside the lines. It’s a beautiful chaotic mess. Sweet, scary, intriguing. It’sme…no, it’sus.

My heart stops at the realization. I hide a smile behind my hands.

“He was nice to you wasn’t he? Sometimes the big guy can be quite the asshole,” Jesse says, waving a hand in front of my face to get my attention.

“Oh yeah, yeah, he was nice.” I blush and turn way. Dan is her partner. Should I tell her about our date? I kind of want to keep it to myself. It’s exciting. It’s the first date I’ve had where the guy actually wanted to go with me on his own accord.

“Well, I hate to eat and run but we need to get back to Billie Rose.”

“Yeah, thanks for supper it was so good.” I rub my stomach.

Jesse pulls me in for a hug and then makes her way over to Dirk. He swings his leg over his bike, saluting me. “See you Saturday, Smurf,” he says. She climbs on behind him, hugging his waist tight. They are a stunning yet terrifying site. I wouldn’t want to piss them off.

Chapter Twelve

Lily

???

Yesterday I spent the day cleaning and painting. My ribs are feeling better each day and so is my soul. Physically and mentally I feel stronger than I have in a long time.

This morning I woke up feeling good but then I remembered my date. I. Have. A. Date.

I went to the thrift store three times. Nothing feels right. I’m sitting on the floor with my legs crossed, staring at all the clothes scattered everywhere. I have no clue what to wear to a bar. Just then an idea pops in my head. Seems my creative juices are running over.

Ripping material with my teeth, I find my style.

After I shower, curl my hair, and do my makeup, I stand naked in front of the mirror in my bedroom. I allow myself a moment to stare at the woman in front of me. I’m her, she’s me. We smile at each other. I grab the dress I hand stitched and hold it up against me. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Lily,” I whisper to my reflection.

When I step into the bar all eyes turn, staring at me. Oh, lord. My knees begin to tremble. Shit, maybe this outfit was a bad idea….

“Jesse,” Bill yells from behind the bar. “Hey, guys, this is Lily. She’s going to be my new bartender.” He comes around and takes my hand, pulling me farther inside. All the men sitting up at bar whistle and whoop their approval.

Oh. Maybe they do like the outfit.

“I was hoping you would stop in after you got settled.” He runs his eyes up my frame before pulling a bar stool out for me.

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