Page 6 of March’s Bad Boy: Ty

She giggles, thinking I'm playing hard to get. A year ago, I might've gone for it. Flirting, easy hookups, nothing serious. I loved it when a client came in flirting. It took the work out of going out to find a hookup. That was who I was. But now? I’m not.

I'm thinking about my best friend's blush. The way her lips parted when I leaned in. The way she looked at me like maybe--just maybe--she was hoping I'd kiss her.

Damn it.

All last night, I couldn’t stop thinking about kissing her, how she’d feel, how she'd taste. Just the thought of making out with her made me so damn hard. Nothing brought me relief.

I know the blonde in front of me would happily offer to take care of things for me, but the thought of anyone but Kara touching me has my stomach rolling. So, I will sit and suffer.

Wrapping up the tattoo, I send the blonde on her way, barely hearing her as she hands me a tip and her number. After waiting until she is out the door, I toss the paper with her number in the trash without a second thought.

Priest watches me from across the shop, arms crossed. "You good?"

I scowl. "Fine."

He chuckles. "Liar. What's got you acting like you don't know which way is up?"

From past experience, he knows I'd have taken that girl up on her offer. He didn't care as long as nothing happened in his shop, all dates and other activities happened on my own time. I respected him enough that I wouldn’t have involved the shop even if it wasn't a rule.

I debate brushing him off, but Priest sees through my bullshit. Always has. Exhaling, I rub the back of my neck.

"Kara."

His eyebrows lift. "Your best friend, Kara?"

I nod. "She asked me for dating lessons."

Priest leans against the counter, smirking, his eyes looking past the wall I have up showing all the tattoos I’ve done. "And you agreed."

"Yeah." I sigh, dragging my hand down my face. "And now I'm losing my damn mind."

He whistles low. "You’re in deep, aren't you?"

I was, wasn't I? One night on a fake date and everything has changed. Feelings I didn't know I had have come out. It makes me wonder if they have always been there and I ignored them. Or are they brand new?

I shake my head. "Doesn't matter. She's got a real date with some guy."

Priest watches me carefully. "And you're cool with that?"

I don't answer. Because no, I'm not cool with that. Not even a little.

Before I can overthink it, I grab my keys. "I'm heading out."

Priest just snorts. "Say hi to Kara for me."

I go right to the Merc and grab some coffee, saying hello to Ruby. If she picked up on my sour mood, thankfully, she doesn't say a word. I pay for the coffees and then walk down to the bookshop.

The bell over the bookstore door jingles as I step inside. The scent of paper and vanilla fills my lungs, grounding me. This place is her. Safe, warm, and something I never realized I needed until now. The mood from just a few minutes earlier is gone and peace washes over me.

And there she is. Behind the counter, grinning at her phone. My stomach twists. Is she textinghim?

That should be me. That smile. That laugh. That life.

I clear my throat. "Hey, Bookworm."

Kara looks at me, and she smiles when she sees me. But then, almost instantly, her expression shifts like she realizes she shouldn't be that happy to see me.

And damn if that doesn't sting.

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