Page 187 of Finding Olivia (Trace + Olivia 1)

The walls in the backroom were a lime green that matched the door I had come through. I knew that the front room, where she sold her designs and had them displayed, was painted bright yellow.

“I want you to feel comfortable here, Olivia. There’s no need to be so shy,” she smiled kindly and waved her hand for me to follow her.

Thankfully, there were no customers at the moment. Marcy showed me where the key was to open the glass cases so people could try on the necklaces, bracelets, and rings. After that, she showed me how to use the iPad that she used instead of a regular cash register. Everything seemed very straightforward and simple. I immediately started to feel more at ease. Marcy hung around to help me with the first few customers that trickled in. After being successful with all the customers, Marcy felt comfortable enough to leave me on my own.

I handled two more customers on my own before Alba showed up. There was no mistaking her as Marcy’s daughter. They both had the same pointed features. Her hair was died black with streaks of crimson and purple. Thick black bangs curtained her forehead and she had a nose ring. Her eyes were a light blue that I was sure was the product of contacts. No one’s eyes were naturally that shade of sky blue.

She held out a hand to me. “I’m Alba,” she smiled, showing off straight white teeth.

“Olivia,” I replied.

“I’m glad my mom was able to get some help. I can’t help her as often as I’d like,” she shrugged. “I recently started my own tattoo business,” she explained.

“Oh,” I nodded, “so you’re an artist like your mom, just in a different way.”

“Yep, we’re very artsy people,” she nodded, looking around. “You appear to be doing very well for your first day,” she appraised me, hands on her studded belt.

“Thanks,” I breathed, relieved that she thought so.

“If you think you can handle yourself out here, I’ll go back there, and help my mom out,” she pointed to the beaded curtain that separated the backroom from the front.

“I think I’m good,” I smiled.

“Awesome,” she clapped her hands together. Her nails were painted black with red skulls drawn on top. “If you need one of us, give a holler.”

Alba disappeared behind the curtain and I was left alone once more.

At lunchtime, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, wiping my Cheeto stained fingers on a napkin, and smiled at the picture Trace had text. He held Ace in one hand while the other held the phone out. A ham sandwich was clasped between his teeth. I giggled.

Miss u. I no ur doing gr8.

I replied back to tell him that he had been right and my first day was going well.

Marcy breezed by me with new products to display. “Based on the smile on your face, I’d say you’re talking to your beau.”

I paled at being caught. “Sorry,” I mumbled, putting my phone away.

“Sweetie, you’re on your lunch break. I don’t mind if you’re texting that fine specimen of man. If you know any more like him, maybe you can send them Alba’s way?”

“Mom!” We heard the groan from the back. “I am a smart independent woman, I don’t need a man!”

Marcy rolled her eyes and shook her head. “That may be so,” she whispered to me, “but I want some grandchildren before I’m dead.”

“Mom! I can still hear you!” Alba called.

Marcy and I snickered.

“I may know of some guys for Alba,” I shrugged, thinking of Justin and Brian from the tattoo shop.

“Really?” Marcy asked, brightening.

“Mhmm,” I nodded.

“I don’t need a man!” Alba yelled, and a moment later, appeared from behind the beaded curtain.

“Well, someone has to clear out the cobwebs in your vagina,” Marcy pointed at her daughter.

“Mom!” Alba shrieked, her face coloring an unhealthy shade of red. “Don’t say things like that! It’s disgusting coming from you!”

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