Page 9 of Mayhem
“And yet, you’re having difficulty taking your own,” Nik countered.
Paetyn rolled his eyes. There was some truth to that. However, when he’d been patient for over a year and started working on being her friend months ago, he couldn’t be held at fault.
The women returned to the table, and no sooner had they sat down than a man approached the table.
“Mr. Silva,” he greeted before smiling at the rest of the table.
“Yes?” Paetyn questioned.
“I’m Vernon. I’m the owner of this establishment, and it’s an honor to have you dining with us tonight.”
“It’snice to meet you, Vernon,”Paetyn responded, holding out his hand. “You have a nice place.”
“Thank you. I hope the food is to your liking as well.”
“I’m sure it will be,”Paetyn responded, and the other man nodded at the table again, lingering a moment before walking off.
“I think he was going to ask for your autograph,”Cruz stated, and Paetyn knew he was teasing him. He ignored him, instead focusing on Erin as she tapped his hand.
“Will you pass me that wine bottle?”
Paetyn picked up the bottle and turned back to Erin, who held her cup up for him and poured her some. She smiled at him, and Paetyn knew that smile would cause him trouble while getting her out of it.
3
“Erin, you can’t do this.”
Erin looked over her shoulder as she finished packing up her equipment. “Can’t do what? Something that benefits and is better for me?”
“You can’t just up and leave without giving us any notice, a warning. It could take us weeks or months to rent out your chair, and we’ll lose money every day that wedon’t.”
Erin rolled her eyes before returning to the box she had been packing and taping it close. “You gave your own warning. When you passed me over a second time to buy in as a partner when I bring in more business than you do,”Erin replied. “And don’t pretend you didn’t see this coming. Especially after that shit you pulled with my feature, Ford.”
It fell silent between them, and Erin knew he was searching for something to say since he had run out of excuses long ago. She placed the bag she had packed first on top of the box and picked them both up. Erin didn’t need to say anything else because she didn’t owe him anything. She’d been busting her ass for that shop for the last several years. Pulling in more business than anyone else, she was tired of being underappreciated. The decision to leave the shop and the city was the best decision for her.
Erin loaded the bag and box into the backseat of her car, placing them on the floor. She was about to get in when her name was called. She paused and refrained from groaning.
“Hey, I’m glad I caught you.”
“Hey, Stu.”
Unlike him, Erin was not glad that he’d caught her. He’d come into the shop two years ago, and she’d tattooed him. Since then, he’d found a reason to try to come in several times a month. Whether it was with some design, he wanted to run by her, or because he wanted an actual tattoo. She hadn’t minded too much initially because it was money in her pocket, but she was over it once he’d asked her out. She’d let him down gently, telling him she didn’t date current or former clients. He hadn’t asked her again, but his visits to the shop hadn’t lessened.
“I’ve been calling to schedule an appointment,”he stated.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy lately.”
He glanced into her backseat. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Yeah, there’s a tattoo convention this weekend, and I’m going down to participate.”
She was not telling this man she was moving or where to. Seeing him was another reminder of why a change of scenery was good for her.
“Oh, okay. Well, I’ll give you a call on Monday. I have a tattoo in mind and would like us to get started on it.”
Erin nodded. “I’m pretty booked the next week, but I’m sure anyone inside can fit you in.”
“No. I don’t like anyone else’s style. I don’t mind waiting for you.”
