Page 15 of Mine to Keep

I ordered and moved to the end of the counter to the pickup section. Once I had my cookie and drink, I went to a table by the window.

A few minutes later I saw Mika running across the street toward the shop. Her pitch-black hair was in a pixie cut with strips of deep blue, glittery dangling earrings jiggled as she walked, and her makeup was dark against her pale skin. Tattoos covered her arms and neck, and I knew they were also on her legs and back as well. She wore purple pants, black boots, and a bright-red shirt.

She waved like a maniac as soon as she saw me, and I leaped from my seat to greet her. We were almost the same height, her being a little shorter. She hugged me and I squeezed her, loving that she was here.

“I missed you,” she said, and I grinned like a dork.

“I missed you too. Go get your drink and sit and tell me how your life is.”

She raced off, and I watched her from my chair. She still smelled like fresh plums and the sea. I used to think it was a perfume, but then I realized it was just Mika.

She dropped into the seat across from me and radiated joy. “You look good.”

I shrugged. “I’m doing great—can’t complain, but you…still a work of art.”

She waved a hand at me. “Shut it. I swear if I wasn’t a lesbian, I’d have been all over you a hundred times.”

I snickered. “I shall love you from afar.” It was a constant joke between the two of us. I’d had a crush on her when we werelittle that had grown, and I’d finally told her once we entered high school, only to find out she liked girls. I said I’d love her from afar, and from that moment on, that had been what I’d done.

Through the years that love had become more like that of brother and sister, and Mika was the best person I knew.

“So, how is the world’s most talented tattoo artist doing?” I sipped my delicious frappe and listened to her tell me all about her life.

“I bought into the shop, so now I’m half owner with Rife, which is amazing. I’m renting the apartment above it, which is convenient. I’m so busy all the time and loving it.”

“That’s amazing, Mika.” I reached across the table and gripped her hand in mine. “I knew you’d do it.”

“Now I only need to get my tattoo art in some magazines, on TV, be the artist to the stars.” She fluttered her eyelashes dramatically.

“I have no doubt you will.”

“How’s everything?” I looked up to see Beth beside our table.

“Good.” Mika lifted her coffee and took a sip.

This wasn’t the type of shop where the baristas came to your table. You got it at the counter and sat, the end.

“How’s the frappe with the cookie, Matt?” Beth tilted her body toward me, dismissing Mika.

“Fine.” I glanced at Mika, who was chuckling into her dark roast.

“Does it taste like you hoped?” I noticed Beth’s eyes went to Mika’s and my hands on the top of the table.

“Like an Almond Joy.”

She nodded. “Great, well, before you go come grab another one…on me.” She gently squeezed my shoulder and walked away.

“Ohhh, damn.” Mika laughed softly. “She likes you and hates me.” Mika released our hands and sat back.

“She was laying it on thick, right?”

Mika nodded. “She was, and she’s pretty. You should explore whatever that is.”

I shook my head and took the last bite of my cookie. “No. She was rude to you and if I’m being honest, I’m sort of enjoying being single.”

Mika raised a shoulder. “Fair. But it’s nice to have someone interested.”

“Not if it’s weird.” I then went on to tell her about the gifts and flowers.

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