Page 104 of Mayhem
Paetyn returned it. “I’m looking for Erin.”
“She stepped away for a moment, but she should be right back,” Torei responded. She paused. “You were at the opening.”
“I was. I saw both of your works. It’s impressive.”
“Are you interested in getting something?” Dahlia asked.
Paetyn smiled at her. “I prefer a certain tattoo artist.”
He only had one tattoo but planned to take Erin up on the offer to extend it. He also wanted another one later.
“I understand that,” Torei stated.
“Hey, baby.”
Paetyn turned his attention to where Erin was coming from the back. “Hey, Angel.”
“Is that for me?” she asked, gesturing to the shaved ice he held.
“It is,” he responded, leaning down to kiss her, and he heard one of the women make a noise before she tried to cover it upwith a cough. He knew Cruz had checked on Erin a few hours ago and was sure they’d seen him.
“Thank you.” Erin turned to the other women. “This is my boyfriend, Paetyn. Baby, this is Dahlia and Torei.”
The two women spared glances at one another before turning back towards him. He’d give it to them. They were doing an admirable job of hiding their surprise and trying to cover for Erin. Paetyn couldn’t help but chuckle.
“What’s funny?” Erin asked, confused after a bite of her shaved ice.
“You didn’t tell them, Angel?”
“Tell them?” she questioned. Her confusion cleared a split second later. “Oh! No, I’m not cheating,” she laughed. “I’m lucky to have two great men who don’t mind sharing.”
“You’re poly?” Dahlia asked.
Erin shrugged. “I guess that would be the correct term, even though I have no desire to be in another relationship like this one if it isn’t with them.”
Paetyn raised a brow at her. “Who said this isn’t your last one?”
“I’m not complaining if it is,” Erin responded.
Paetyn kissed her temple. “I wanted to stop by and bring that to you. There’s a private party at Aficionado this evening, and I need to make sure everything is ready. Are you coming over after you leave here?”
“Chayse, Alijah, and I are going shopping to look for dresses for tomorrow evening, but I’ll come over when we’re finished.”
Cruz was flying out Sunday night, and Erin had been spending the last week at their house. It was nice.
Paetyn pulled his wallet from his back pocket and removed one of his credit cards. He gave it to Erin and kissed her. “Have fun. We’ll see you tonight.” He turned his attention to the other women. “It was nice meeting you both.”
He exited the shop and slid into his vehicle. Paetyn wouldn’t be atAficionadolong, but it was a birthday celebration for the mayor’s wife, and it was her favorite restaurant. One of the mayor’s staff had also called his assistant, asking if he’d appear to speak to the woman. Were it not for that, he’d be on his way home.
Their dinner was scheduled to start in an hour at seven, and Paetyn figured he’d stay for half an hour into the dinner. Long enough for them to get appetizers, and then he’d leave.
Paetyn was sitting on the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table when the front door opened. Erin entered the living room seconds later with a garment bag over her arm and a shopping bag in her other hand. She laid the garment bag over the back of an armchair and placed the shopping bag on the floor beside it.
“Hey, babe,” she greeted, leaning down to kiss him. “How was the dinner?”
“I didn’t stay long, but I didn’t get any calls from my staff, so I’m sure it went well. How was shopping?”
“It was good. I found a gorgeous dress for tomorrow, matching shoes, and a clutch.”
