Page 79 of Destiny

“All right, Ava. You don’t have to pay double, but you are going to have to choose which hip you want your tattoo on.”

I look down. I’m wearing baggy jeans. Which hip is more meaningful? Hell, I don’t know.

“I’m right-handed,” I say, “so let’s put it on my right hip.”

“Good enough.” He shuffles some papers. “I just need you to sign a few things.”

“Sign a few things?”

“Yeah. That you’re going to pay for the tattoo. You do know how much tattoos cost, don’t you?”

“Honestly, I don’t have a clue.”

“My tats start at five hundred,” he says.

I drop my jaw. “Dollars?”

“Five hundred potatoes, Ava.” He scoffs jovially. “Of course dollars.”

He’s trying to be funny, but I don’t see the humor. I’m putting all my savings into the remodel of the bakery, and I don’t have five hundred dollars lying around.

“Can I make payments?” I ask.

“I don’t have a payment plan,” Cyrus says, “but you can put it on a credit card and make your own payments.”

I pull out my Visa. “Sure, that’s what I’ll do.”

Cyrus smirks. “You’re something, Ava.”

“Why is that?”

“Because everyone knows you have a healthy trust fund. You could easily take five hundred dollars out. Hell, you could easily take five grand out, but you don’t do it.”

I shrug. “That’s not who I am.”

“I know that. You know what I’m going to do?”

“What’s that.”

“I’m going to give you a discount.”

I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that, Cy. I was just a little taken aback by the prices. I didn’t realize tattooing was so expensive.”

“It’s expensive if you want it done right,” he says. “And I do it right. You’ve seen my work.”

“Indeed I have.”

I’ve seen it on Brendan, and Cy’s work is phenomenal. Plus, of course, I’ve seen the pictures in his books. But none of them holds a candle to Brendan’s sea warrior.

“I don’t want any special treatment, Cy.”

“I know that,” he says. “Which is why I don’t have any trouble giving you a deal. Four hundred for the tattoo that you want, Ava.”

I shouldn’t take money out of Cy’s pocket. He’s a simple working man, trying to make a living in Snow Creek, and I have a ton of money at my disposal. Just because I choose not to use it is no reason for Cy to take a hit.

“I’m paying full price.” I set my credit card down. “I won’t hear another word about it.”

He chuckles. “Full price it is, then.”

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