Page 49 of Right Place, Right Time (Second Chances)
“Why not?” she frowns.
“They’re permanent, Kate.”
Her frown deepens along with the crease in between her eyebrows. “Duh.”
“I just don’t think it’s something you should jump into.”
“Who says I’m jumping into anything?” she asks defiantly, crossing her arms over her ample breasts.
“You’ve never mentioned a tattoo before, Sunshine. I just think you should take some time to think about it.”
She groans and throws herself back on the bed. “I’m so sick ofthinkingabout things. I just want todothings!”
Where is this coming from? I admit that she and I haven’t spent a whole lot of time together, but I feel like I do know her, especially through our conversations and her letters. Kate is a very careful, calculated, thorough person. She thinks things through. She doesn’t just do them.
“What’s going on, Kate? Talk to me,” I place the cup and plate on the nightstand and lie beside her on the bed and pull her towards me.
“I feel like I haven’t really been living, Jay. I’m predictable. I go through the motions and do everything that’s expected of me. My resume is exceptional with steady employment, numerous volunteer activities, and excellent academics, but when it comes to having fun and living life to its fullest…it’s blank.”
She looks at me with those dark, sad eyes…begging me to understand. And I do. Finally, I do. The incident with Casey has rocked her world. She understands the fragility of life now more than ever before and wants to seize the day.
I let out a sigh and smile at my girl. “As long as you don’t get ‘YOLO’ tattooed on your ass, I’ll support your decision.” She laughs loudly and gives me a big, sloppy kiss on the cheek. I fight the urge to wipe off my face because I simply can’t break this moment. She finally looks happy, free. “So what are you gonna get?” I ask, nuzzling her neck.
“Well, you nixed my only idea so I’ve got to start thinking about it all over again.”
This time I laugh. “Seriously?”
“No, not seriously. But you’re right. A tattoo is permanent, so I need to think about it some more. I still want one, but maybe that’s not what we need to do today.”
I kiss her lips. She’s practical even when she tries to rebel. It’s adorable. “So what’s on the agenda then, rebel?”
She grins at that. “Well…I’ve got to call my boss. I think I need a couple days off.” I nod in agreement. I think she could use a few mental health days. Hopefully he’ll be understanding. “Then I’m all yours.”
“I like the sound of that,” I say, then I lean in to kiss her neck.
“Stop that,” she says, giggling as she slaps my back. “Jay!”
“Okay, okay,” I say, pulling away. “Go do your thing. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
She softly smiles at me, and I hope she knows that I don’t just mean right now…that I mean I’ll always be right here waiting for her. As long as she’ll have me.
I’m starting to hope that it’s forever.
