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I was now sketching out a design I wanted to try on someone. It always gave me a good feeling knowing I was someone people wanted to do their tattoos. I made a living out of it. It was my livelihood. With the money I was making, I was able to get anything and everything I wanted.

The door opened, and my client walked in. Damn, she looked good as hell. I tried not to stare, but I couldn't help myself. The girl looked too damn good. I didn't know if it was her chestnut brown eyes or that pout that was on her full lips. She was a looker with honey-brown, flawless skin, either way.

"You called for the appointment, right?"

She shook her head sadly. "No, I didn't, but if you can squeeze me in, I'd love that."

I chuckled. "Hmm. I only do appointments, but for you, I might be able to make an exception."

Our eyes met and held, causing a vaguely sensuous light to pass between us. A smile spread across her lips. "Thank you. I surely appreciate that."

"I need your name and the design that you want."

"My name is Amryn. The design I want is of the saying ‘new beginnings’."

I gave her a slight nod. "Anything else?"

"A heart coming back after being shattered."

"Oh damn."

"Ah yeah. My life is.. a mess."

I grunted. "Yours is not the only one," I mumbled. "Well, let's start the tattoo. Have you ever had one before?"

She shook her head. "Nah, but I love pain, so this would do me some good."

A woman after my own heart, but I wouldn't go there. I had too much on my plate now. And to get involved with someone I knew I couldn't have would be a big problem. But damn, she was a fine ass woman. What man wouldn't want to get to know her in a desirable way? She was the whole package, too. I wanted to roam my eyes down her body but knew that wasn't the right thing to do. I had to calm my thoughts that were coming forth.

"Word. Let's get this going."

While I did her small tattoo, we talked and laughed a bit. Damn, it had been a while since I kicked it with a woman without the thought of sex on my mind. Amryn was a vibe I didn't know I needed to take my mind off the problems I was facing.

"All done," I announced forty-five minutes later.

"Wow, that seemed fast." She chuckled.

I gave her the mirror to look at the tattoo that was on her arm. She nodded with approval. Our eyes met and held, causing my heart to beat rapidly in my chest. She had me wanting to reach out and soothe the pain I saw in her eyes. It was time she got out of my shop. I was feeling something for this stranger.A stranger I could easily get to know if this damn arranged marriage wasn't being shoved down my throat.

"Thank you. How much?"

I told her the price. She paid and left, leaving me to my own thoughts once again.

By the time I got out of there, it was well past midnight. I was tired and hungry as hell. I would have to hit up the all-night diner close to my house. After I cleaned up my workstation, I headed out of the shop.

I wished my parents had given me more information on the arranged marriage, but I knew I'd be finding things out on Saturday. I planned to be an asshole to that woman, so she better watch out.

I satat the dining table with a scowl on my face and my arms folded. The man I was supposed to be marrying was late. Hopefully, he didn't show up. I fought back tears at the possibility of meeting this man.

As my eyes bounced around the room, the man's parents looked familiar to me. Although I heard of their last name, I had never laid eyes on them.

"Sorry for my son's tardiness. He always marches to his own beat," Travis stated with a chuckle.

I scoffed. "If he knew what we had planned, he should have been here on time," I retorted.

It was wrong of me to take out my frustrations on these people, but I had to. I was in a terrible mood. I hadn't talked to Joel since the argument at his apartment. What made it so bad, he wasn't trying to reach back out to me. I didn't know what to do about that. As much as I should have left well enough alone, I didn't want to. I felt like we could make this work. However, after today, I'd be an engaged woman, so what was the point of trying?

I sighed deeply, shaking my head.