Page 98 of Play For Me
“Are you sure about this?I know it’s small, but it’s permanent.”
I eye Jake from my spot on the tattoo chair. “Are you tryingto tell me something without telling me something?” I’m already nervous about telling Miles how I feel. I don’t need his brother making me second-guess things.
“No, he’s all in, I swear,” he laughs. “You’ve got him by the balls just like Lyla holds mine in her palm.” I smile, feeling some of the tension melt away. “You just seem nervous, and I always ask my nervous clients that.”
“I’m not nervous about getting the tattoo. It’s the voicing part that I’m a little nervous about. I know how I feel about him, and I want to do this to show him just how much he means to me. He’s been so patient with me and has given me the time I needed to trust him and get over my fears. And the way he is with Bee,” I sigh, and a smile touches my lips. “They’ve gotten real close these past weeks, and she just adores him.”
The three of us have been spending as much time together as we can since the opening. Bee wakes up looking for Miles, and when he leaves for work, she’s counting down the hours until he gets home. It was as easy as breathing to bring him into our lives. He fits right in like it was always meant to be this way. Even Gizmo has found his place in the family and sleeps like a king next to Bee every night.
“He adores her, too,” Jake smiles. “It’s always scary when you give someone your heart and they have the power to hurt you, but trust me when I tell you…it’s in good hands. You can trust Miles to keep it safe.”
“I know that now,” I nod. “That’s why I want to do this. I’m ready to tell him tonight and surprise him with this tattoo.”
“Well, let’s get started then,” he grins and starts the transfer process.
“By the way, thanks for watching Bee tonight.” I set up this whole night a few days ago, asking for Jake and Lyla’s help to put it together. Jake didn’t hesitate to squeeze me in for an appointment, and Lyla was more than ready to help out withBee. I dropped her off on the way here, so I can get started on the dinner I have planned at my house once this appointment is done. Miles is at work, and all he knows is that Bee is gone for the night and we have the house to ourselves.
“Are you kidding me? Charlie’s been bouncing with excitement since she found out about the sleepover. She had so much fun at your house last weekend, so it’s nice to return the favor.” He gently removes the transfer and holds up a mirror so I can check the placement.
“It’s perfect,” I grin.
“I think so, too. This is going to mean a lot to him, you know. We don’t take it lightly when someone in our family gets inked. It’s a commitment and a deeper bond that means more than words ever could.”
“I know,” I say softly. “He told me about the spots over your heart that you guys kept bare for the right girl.”
His grey eyes, so much like Miles, smile as his lips quirk up. I get the feeling he’s hiding something as I search his face for more answers.
“Why do you look like you have a secret you want to spill?” I study him closely, and he laughs.
“My lips are sealed,” he says, pulling on his rubber gloves and getting the tattoo gun ready. “This shouldn’t be too bad for you,” he says, changing the subject, and I decide to let it go. “Let me know if you need me to stop and give you a break.”
“Okay,” I say, bracing myself for that first contact. I close my eyes and let Jake do his magic. It’s over before I know it, and he’s sitting back with a grin.
“It looks like a complete picture now.” He hands me the mirror, and I stare at my little honey bee now surrounded by a honeysuckle vine and music notes woven throughout. It’s the three of us together, just like it should be.
“I love it,” I say, blinking back the tears. “I would never havethought of honeysuckles, but it's perfect.” I think back to all the times Miles says I’m sweet as honey and how he loves to call me that.
“Bee…honey…it just made sense,” he shrugs his shoulders, and again, I feel him holding something back from me. I shake off the feeling and hand him his mirror back.
“Well, I’m glad you came up with the design. It’s exactly what I wanted,” I smile.
“The three of you look good on your skin.” He applies the wrap to it and gives me the instructions. “I’m happy Miles found you. You’re good for him.”
“That means a lot to me. Lyla, Savi…Eve…all of you have come to mean a lot to me.”
“You’re part of our family now,” he smiles and tosses his gloves in the trash can. “You mean a lot to us, too. Both of you,” he says, making sure he includes Bee. I nod my head, too emotional to speak. Reaching for my purse, I take out my wallet.
“Don’t even think about it,” he says, standing up. “It’s on the house.”
“What? No, I won’t let you do that,” I say, shaking my head.
“Well, you don’t have a choice because I’m not taking your money.” Obviously, the stubborn gene runs in their family as we come head-to-head on this. “For one, Miles would kill me if I had you pay me a dime and two…family, remember? I don’t charge family.”
“Technically, I’m not a Montgomery, so you can’t use that excuse.”
“My brother is permanently on your skin now. You are a Montgomery, whether it’s official or not, especially after he sees that tattoo. I won’t take your money, Olivia,” he says, firmly shaking his head.
“Does everyone in your family always get their way?” I ask,putting my wallet away and knowing it’s useless to argue with him on this.
