Page 2 of The Fallacy of True Love
“I don’t know why you want one,” a girl answered. “What if you change your mind about the design? Her tattoo’s nice now, but what if she gains more weight or something? It’s going to stretch out and look bad.”
Gritting my teeth, I felt my body grow hot. More weight? Was she for real?
Someone shushed the girl, but she added, “What? I’m just being practical.”
“It depends on the placement,” another guy said. “Hers is on the back of her shoulder, so it should be fine. Besides, I don’t think she’s the type who cares how she looks.”
My head snapped toward them, and I zeroed in on the guy who’d just spoken.
Even seated, he towered over his friends, his tan, broad shoulders showcased in a sleeveless shirt. He had that winning combo of smiley eyes, straight nose, and full lips.
Lips that were curled in a smirk at my expense.
My fingers stiffened into claws on my keyboard as I glared at him. Who did he think he was to pass judgement about what I did or did not care about?
“You’re not really planning on getting one. Right, Z?” the girl attached to his side asked.
The guy she called Z opened his mouth, but the other boy spoke up first. “You can get ink removed if you change your mind. It’s painful but possible.”
“Nothing’s permanent,” Z agreed.
His girlfriend’s frown deepened. “My parents would hate it if you did.”
The smile on Z’s face seemed to falter before he hitched it back up. “Don’t worry, Dani. I’m not getting a tatt.”
I almost snorted. Not only was the guy an ass, he was spineless too. Either that or he was lying to his girlfriend, and neither option made him look good.
His gaze landed on me. He blinked, his lips pulling up into what he probably considered a charming smile. I narrowed my eyes further, and he raised a brow.
I was done with this.
Jabbing at my keyboard, I saved my work and closed my laptop. I chugged down my shake, barely taking the time to chew the coconut meat. Normally, that was my favorite part. I’d let the strips settle in the bottom of the glass and eat them last.
These jerks ruined that for me.
If we had been anywhere else, I’d have no problem speaking my mind. But I didn’t want to make a scene in my friend’s café. Not after everything she had done for me.
I shoved my things inside my bag and slung the strap onto my shoulder. As I brought my empty glass and plate to the counter, Nikki looked up from arranging a fresh batch of kakanin.
Straightening, she blew away the curl of hair that had escaped her ponytail. “Done with work?”
“It’s too noisy and my headphones ran out of batt,” I answered.
She grimaced. “Sorry about that. Go upstairs. It’ll be quieter, and you’ll still have Wi-Fi.”
“You sure?” I asked.
She gave me a pointed look. “Yes. Also, I told Jo she has to finish three pages of her activity book before play time. You working up there with her might motivate her.”
Nikki’s six-year-old daughter Jo was one of my favorite people in the world. I wouldn’t turn down the chance to spend time with her. “On it.”
Another bunch of tourists barged in. Nikki glanced at them before muttering to me, “Stay as long as you want.”
“Thanks, Nikki. Good luck.”
Nikki heaved a sigh and nodded, and I took off so she could focus on her customers.
On my way to the stairs, something compelled me to glance back. Z’s group had moved on from talking about tattoos to surfing. I rolled my eyes.
