Page 260 of Sin With Me

I blink as I step inside, letting my eyes adjust. The bell above the door chimes, and a kind-looking girl, not much older than me, with dark hair, tanned skin, and dark eyes looks up from the desk.

“Hey.” She smiles, jerking her chin at us. Oli pops up at my side, her bucket hat low on her head. “What can I do for you?”

Oli nudges me with her elbow, and I hesitate before shuffling a step closer. My hands wring together, nerves tightening my stomach. “Um, hi.” I try to smile back, but it feels tight. Her expression never falters, never drops. “I’m here to get a tattoo.”

“Alrighty.” She opens a little book as she grabs a pen, her eyes scanning the pages. “I think Pyro has an opening this—”

“No!” I blurt, my body tensing at his nickname, and her eyes lift to mine. “No.” This time, I try to say it more calmly, and give her a tight smile.

“Okay,” she draws the word out, turning her attention back to the book. “Kon will be free this weekend.”

“I—he said he could do it today,” I breathe. Her brows bunch together as she pushes away from the book.

“Who did you say you were? I’ll ask him about it. He didn’t update the appointment book, but he usually forgets.” She grins as she stands, patiently waiting for my name.

I glance around, taking in the dark wooden floors and black walls covered in art. There’s a long hallway leading to rooms. The sound of laughter and quiet murmuring fills the space, but I don’t hear Roman. Don’t see him.

Maybe he’s not here.

She clears her throat and I jolt.

“Eve,” I say, looking back at her.

“Just wait here, Eve. I’ll go talk to Kon.” She waves at a red leather couch and Oli immediately plops onto it. I sink to the cushion next to her, watching as the girl strides for the door in the front and pokes her head in.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Oli hums, scooting down further on the couch. “This thing fucking sucks. So uncomfy. He needs someone to redecorate. You think he’ll hire me to do it? This place needs a couple animals.”

“Unsanitary,” I mumble, repeating Kon’s words from this morning.

Oli had begged him to let her bring Robert to the shop, claiming he’d love it. But Kon firmly told her, and everyone around her—Chase and me—that having a possum in the shop would be too unsanitary, and if she brought him, we’d be kicked out.

Obviously, I believe the giant, terrifying man, so Chase is on babysitting duty today.

Oli huffs out a breath, folding her arms over her chest. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Robert is more sanitary than him.” My lips twitch at the thought of Oli telling Kon that.

The girl walks back toward us, and I stand. I don’t know why, but I feel awkward. Maybe this was a bad idea. Me? Get a tattoo? What was I thinking?

“Kon said he’ll be with you in a bit. He’s just finishing up with another client.” She waves back at the couch. “Can I get you a drink or snack or—”

“I’ll have a snack,” Oli interrupts. “What you got?”

“Oli,” I groan, but the woman just laughs.

“Snacks are back there, by the coffee. Help yourself.”

Oli rubs her hands together as she jumps to her feet, hurrying to the counter like a little snack gremlin, as if she didn’t force me to stop for burgers and fries on the way here. The bags crinkle as she flips through them, trying to find what she wants.

“Sorry,” I breathe, and the girl waves me off as she sits back behind the desk.

“Don’t even worry about it.” She scans me, her dark eyes missing nothing. “So, is this your first tattoo?”

“Yeah,” I laugh, brushing my thumb over my sweaty palm. “That obvious?” She chuckles, running her long fingers through her dark, silky hair.

“I always know who’s a virgin.” She flashes me a grin that has my face heating. “A tattoo virgin.” With a wink, she turns her attention back to her phone, a hidden smirk on her face.

I let out a breath as I sink back onto the couch, fidgeting with my fingers as I look around the shop again. My body itches to explore, to find Roman’s workspace. But I stay where I am.

Oli bounds back, her arms loaded down with bags. “Oli,” I breathe, glancing at the girl, but she’s not paying attention to us. “You can’t take all that.”

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