Page 26 of No Rings Attached
“Like he’d listen.” Wyatt was … Wyatt. I didn’t miss the way Vivi curiously regarded Ellie. “Vivi, this is my girlfriend, Ellie. Ellie, this is Vivi. She lets her friends call her Vee.”
Vivi gave her a cool chin nod. “Hey.”
Ellie waved awkwardly, yet it was somehow so damn adorable. “I love your tattoos.” She motioned towards Vivi’s full sleeve and the little heart high on her right cheekbone.
“Thanks.” Vee wasn’t one for long conversations.
“Speaking of Mr. Heartbreaker, is he available?” I inquired.
“He’s due for a break in a minute. I can go in back to see how much longer he might be.”
“Thanks, Vee.”
Vivi left the desk and headed down the short hall and tapped on the door of my brother’s workstation. Without waiting for an answer, she poked her head in. Mumbled voices filtered back to us.
“This place is so cool,” Ellie said. She slipped her hand from mine and wandered around the waiting area to check out the displayed art. The walls, painted a deep forest green, gave the place an edgy vibe and framed the collection of decorative wooden signs made by a local artist. Returning to the counter, she stopped to flip through a book of tattoo ideas.
“Do you have any?” I asked her.
“A tattoo?” She looked up for confirmation.
“Yeah.” I had a few.
“No, but I’d love to have one. I just get nervous about picking something that I’ll have to live with forever. What if I regret it?”
“You can do what I did and ink them in places my button-down shirts cover,” I suggested.
Her laugh was cut off by my brother, who chose that moment to appear.
“I can guarantee you’d never regret one I’d give you,” Wyatt’s playful baritone boomed between us.
Vivi shifted around him, and rolled her eyes again as she settled back behind the desk.
Wyatt’s ambling gait brought him within a few feet from Ellie. His easy smile played across his lips. “You must be Ellie. I’m Wyatt, Drew’s better-looking younger brother. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
“Thank you. It’s so nice to meet you, too.” Ellie held out her hand.
My brother took it, and with a quick glance at me, lifted her hand to kiss her fingers. “I’m not sure what a beautiful woman such as yourself sees in him, but if you ever change your mind, I’m always available.”
A faint blush stained Ellie’s cheeks, and I had to clench my fists so I didn’t punch him.
Ellie let go of his hand and sent me a flirty wink. “I don’t think that’ll happen. Drew is everything I’ve ever wanted in a boyfriend. Honestly, he surpasses any and all of my expectations.”
Vivi snorted, and I swear I heard her mutter, “Burned.”
Vee was now my favorite person.
Wyatt, not one to let something like that get to him, shot her a wink of his own before turning to me and giving me a hug. “Thanks for bringing your lady love, but I’ve got to run. I’m in the middle of a big design and I need to get more of it done today. Will I see you two at family dinner this week?”
“We’ll be there,” I responded.
“’Til then, sweet Ellie.” He waved. “Drew.”
We said goodbye to Vivi and left.
“Are you okay with eating at the diner?” I asked Ellie
“Anywhere is fine with me.” She tossed a quick smile my way.
