Page 22 of The Storms Between Us
nineteen
I managedto make the best out of being stuck at the shop late at night with the guys. They brought in a comfy oversized chair for the lobby, a truly heartfelt gesture from two tough tattooed biker guys. I lounge there reading and editing until one of them is ready to go. Tonight they both have late clients so we won’t get out of here until well past 1am, but I don’t mind. Clients tell me their stories behind the tattoos they want and I enjoy listening to them. I've even tried to learn the basics of their digital scheduling system so their receptionist, Willow, can take a night off occasionally. I’ve learned that she’s a single mom, so I’m more than happy to give her a break. I don’t mind pitching in here. It keeps my mind off wondering where Justin could be.
I hear the bell above the door ring and I pull my eyes from the steamy romance I’m editing to watch a tall, tan, and beautiful girl walk through the door. Her long chocolate brown hair is braided into two French pigtails down her back, but she makes it look badass. The sleeve of wildflower tattoos that cover her left arm looks so vivid I could almost pick them right off her skin. She glances around the lobby as if she’s looking for someone specific.
“Is there somebody I can help you find?” I ask her. “Did you have an appointment tonight?”
“No, I’m just dropping in, but I'm sure Eli will be able to fit me in,” she says with a cocky smirk on her face.
The way she says Eli’s name, like it's so familiar to her, has me instantly on edge. Over the past week I’ve spent camping in the lobby, I've seen every female client who comes through the door shoot their shot with my man. But I’ve also seen him brush them all off, making sure he kisses me before he goes back to work every time. I take a calming breath and regain my composure.
“Well, I think his schedule is full tonight, but I can ask if he can fit you in,” I say, forcing some cheerfulness into my voice. I would never want to affect his reputation or business just because I feel a little jealousy. “I’ll just go ask him. Be right back.” I drop my work onto my comfy chair with a loud plop and walking back to Eli’s room.
He looks up from the dagger he’s working on for another local vet and gives me that beautiful smile of his. “Hey babe, to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing your gorgeous face?” he asks and I roll my eyes, laughing at his cheesy flattery. He really lays it on thick sometimes.
“Well, there’s a girl here for you,” I say, looking back towards the counter. The girl seems to be examining the artwork on each wall incredibly closely. “Seems like she knows you. She said she was sure you could fit her in tonight.” I try to keep my expression neutral, but I’m sure he sees right through me.
“What girl? This is my only client tonight,” he says, gesturing to the man sitting in the chair next to him. “Did she give a name?” He asks, looking confused.
“No, no name. Just said she was here for you,” I say, trying my best not to sound catty and annoyed.
“Ok, give me just a sec and I’ll be right out to deal with her,” he says, finishing the shading on the dagger’s tip.
I walk back to the lobby and find the girl staring intently at the picture of my brother and Eli when they were deployed. They both drop vague comments now and then about that time, but I don’t pry. In this picture, they’re standing next to a camel and Everett looks like he's trying to hump its leg. My brother, ladies and gentlemen. So classy.
“He said he’ll be right out. He’s finishing up an appointment now,” I tell her.
“Ok, no problem, I’ve got nothing but time,” she says with a beautiful smile. Something about her smile is so familiar, but I just can’t place it.
I drop back into my chair and pick up the manuscript. I had forgotten I was in the middle of reading an incredibly well-detailed sex scene and now it seems inappropriate since I'm no longer alone. I look over at her and find her staring at me intently. My cheeks heat under her attention. “Something wrong?” I ask.
“What are you reading?” She replies, ignoring my question entirely.
“Umm, it's a manuscript from an author who’s trying to get published by the company I work for,” I say, giving her as few details as possible.
“Must be some manuscript if it's got you blushing like that,” she says, gesturing in my direction. Damn my mother for giving me such fair skin.
“Oh god,” I say, burying my face in my hands, “Sorry, it's a pretty spicy romance.” I try to laugh off my embarrassment.
“Oooooh, my favorite kind!” She says, clapping her hands excitedly. I smile at her reaction. Most people think romance novels are smut or trashy, but some of the strongest females I’ve ever met have been characters in romance novels.
“Yeah, I really enjoy reading this genre the most,” I tell her, raising my eyebrows, “plus it gives me plenty of new ideas to use on my boyfriend,” I say and we both bust out laughing.
“Rory?” I hear the deep timbre of Eli’s voice and turn my head to see him walking our way.
“Elijah!” she screams and runs to him. He immediately wraps her in a hug, picking her up off the ground and spinning her around. She kisses his cheek and hugs him back tightly.
“What the hell are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” He says sternly, placing her back on her feet.
“I don’t need your permission, Elijah. Besides, I thought you said I was always welcome,” she says, crossing her arms and cocking her hip to one side.
“Of course, you’re always welcome. I just like to have a heads up in case something happens on the way,” he says. I sit quietly, watching the conversation volley back and forth between the two of them.
I clear my throat and gather my stuff. “I’m just gonna go back into the kitchen and give you guys some privacy,” I stand and pick up my scattered notes.
“Shit! My bad, babe. This is my baby sister, Aurora. Aurora, this is Ember,” he says, gesturing back and forth between us.
“Oh my gosh! You’re Ember?!” she says, excitedly. It warms my heart to know he’s told her about me. I knew his sister and mom were still back in his hometown in Louisiana, but I didn’t know much else about them. The jealousy I felt moments before instantly melts away, replaced with nervous energy.
