Page 77 of Exposed Ink

I thought I was only meeting Natalia at The Black Cat, but it turned into a girls’ night when our moms and Willow crashed.

“Mom,” I groan, glaring at her.

“What?” She shrugs. “It’s just us girls.”

“So, is this thing with you and …”

“Shane,” Mom answers Willow. “His name is Shane, and he’s a single dad, firefighter.” She waggles her brows, and my aunts laugh.

“I’m going to need to get massively drunk to get through tonight,” I murmur to Natalia, who laughs.

“Well, to take the heat off Kins, I’ve met someone,” Natalia says, making everyone look at her. “His name is Kevin, and he’s?—”

“Oh my God!” Celeste cuts in. “Is he one of the attorneys on retainer for Leblanc?”

“Yeah.” Natalia blushes. “I’ve been working with him on a case, and we’ve gotten close.”

“Oh, honey!” Celeste wraps her arms around her. “I can’t wait to meet him. He seems very nice over the phone.”

“He is,” Natalia says.

While she tells us all about Kevin, I think about the fact that for the first time, instead of being jealous or envious of someone finding love, I feel like I can relate to them.

We spend the night drinking and dancing and talking about guys, and when Shane texts me, telling me that he’s thinking about me and is hoping I’m having a good night, I’m drunk enough to respond with something flirty.

I’m having fun, but I think I would be having more fun if I were with you right now.

And because Shane knows me too well, he replies with:

How much have you had to drink?

Me

Enough to make me hot and horny.

“Are you sexting with your boyfriend?” Natalia asks with a knowing smirk.

“What? No.” I shake my head, but she just laughs since my translucent skin is no doubt bright red and giving me away.

“I heard he’s getting a sleeve done from you,” Willow says over the music.

“Yeah.” I laugh. “He was a tattoo virgin. It’s been fun, getting to create something cool for him.”

I pull up the most recent photo to show her, and while I’m explaining what each piece means, Shane must respond because she snorts out a laugh.

“Oh, to be young again,” Willow says. “Speaking of which, I think I’m going to call it a night. It’s way past my bedtime.”

“Me too,” Mom and Celeste agree at the same time.

“What?” Natalia pouts. “It’s still early. You wanted to crash, and now, you’re bailing early?”

“Sorry, honey,” Celeste says, kissing Natalia’s cheek and then mine. “You look wonderful, Kins. I’m so glad to see you so happy.”

“Thanks,” I tell her.

After saying goodbye to my mom and Willow, who I promise to have lunch with soon, I pull up my messaging thread and find the reason for Willow’s laughter.

Shane

---