Page 11 of Ink Wars

“I leave for California at the end of the week, so I’d really like something by then,” he says.

Shit, that’s not a lot of time, but there’s no way I’m going to let this huge opportunity pass me by. “No problem. Do you have any ideas? Certain colors you are going for?” I ask.

He digs through the papers and points to the design of the original movie. “This falcon is what we used for the first movie. I would like something that includes a falcon. Something powerful and eye-catching. Something that when people see it, they immediately recognize it. As for colors and design, I’m leaving that to you. Let your imagination run wild.”

I smile, holding out my hand. “Lucas, I will come up with something that will knock your socks off. I promise you that.”

He shakes my hand, returning the smile. “That I’m sure of. I’ll be in touch, Leah. Good luck.”

With that he walks out and I turn to Arya. “Did that just happen?”

She is staring at the door as she says, “Holy shit, Leah. Lucas Johnson just asked you to make a design for his movie and for a fucking tattoo.” She turns her head toward me with wide eyes. “Do you know how huge this is?”

I laugh as she pulls me into a hug. I fight back tears that are swimming in my eyes.

Her question doesn’t even need to be answered because I know how huge this is. I know that this opportunity is a once in a lifetime. It’s something that can change my life.

“I need to watch that movie,” I whisper.

We both laugh and she pulls away nodding. “Tonight, we’ll all stay up and watch it.”

“What about work?” I ask.

“Fuck that, I’ll leave early. I’m not missing a second of this epic adventure,” she says.

Epic adventure.

That says it all.

Chapter 4

Corbin

“I can’t believe that shit just happened,” Waylen says, again.

I keep flipping through the papers that Lucas Johnson just dropped off. Fucking Lucas Johnson. The man that directed Games. That movie is epic and holds a popularity that doesn’t happen often with movies. Getting the opportunity to make the design for the next movie is like a dream. I never expected something so huge to walk in the door of my shop.

“It happened and I need to really get to work on some ideas,” I say, looking at him.

“Yeah, of course, go lock yourself away. Harry and I can cover everything,” he says, crossing his arms.

I grab everything in front of me and stand up. “Thanks, man.”

When I designed this shop there was a huge storage room in the back. I had them cut it in half. Half of it is still storage and the other half I turned into an office for myself. I do all my design work in here. I think best in here. I stay focused without the distractions of what is happening out front.

There’s exposed brick on the exterior walls and the walls that have sheetrock are painted a deep green. I have a large wooden desk and leather chair and a design table behind that. I have my favorite designs framed on the walls and bright lights.

It’s my favorite place to be and no one but me is allowed behind the door. Even Harry and Waylen are kept out. It’s my place and mine alone.

I look over the design of the falcon that Lucas left, and I know I can create a better-looking falcon. I do great realistic design and with my black and gray experience, it will look amazing.

I turn to my drafting table and begin sketching out a falcon. I make sure to get the feathers perfect, the beak and talons fierce, and the eyes distinctive.

Before I know it, I’ve been at it for almost three hours.

I lean back in my chair and grin. So far, this design is kickass. The falcon is so damn realistic with his wings spread wide. I need to figure out a background that makes the falcon pop and I think adding more white will do just that.

My phone buzzes and I grab it off the desk.

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