Page 49 of Inked Beasts

Gage wraps one of his arms around my shoulders and pulls me in for a kiss, and when we part, I’m determined to keep my focus on him and Kai, and ignore the raised voices at the entrance.

It’s then that I notice something’s going on with Gage. His typical calm and even expression is buzzing with a different kind of energy that I can’t quite read. Kai notices it too, and asks him what’s going on.

“I just got off of a call with Art Gilchrist. He’s the producer we worked with on our show,” he adds for my benefit. “He has a lot of interest in a new show, a different concept. He wants to talk to both of us tomorrow.”

Kai shakes his head once, dismissively. “He’s always saying that.”

“This is different,” Gage says. “Apparently the right people are interested. In fact, he’s in contact with a couple of networks and there’s talk of a bidding war. This could be big. It could make it easy to open another locationanddo more special projects.”

Gage’s excitement about this prospect surprises me. I’ve been thinking their tv days were in the past, but it looks like it may also be part of their future, and I suppose that’s a good thing for them. I don’t know what it means for me.

When I’m with one of them anywhere outside of the shop, it feels like we’re in our own little world together. A new show, and all the new fans it would bring, would definitely change that. But it could also provide a lot of opportunities and resources for them, including the ability to do more philanthropic projects like the park they built in our old neighborhood.

“Gage, your next appointment is waiting for you in the lounge.” Ember’s come over, followed by Ava.

After Gage and Ava exchange greetings, I tell the men I’ll see them later. It’s time to let them get back to work.

Ava and I go our separate ways, and I return to my office, my head more muddled than ever. Ava’s words of support earlier had me feeling hopeful—for what, exactly, I don’t know—but the visit to Beasts Ink reminded me that I don’t fit into their world, and I don’t exactly want to.

I enjoy being a behind-the-scenes kind of person, and that’s not easy to do with them. I couldn’t even get a kiss from each of them today without others taking note.

Clare comes into my office shortly after I return. “How was your Thanksgiving?” she asks. “And your time with your mother?”

“Good. How was your holiday?”

“I was here for most of Thanksgiving, but I think we made it a nice day for our guests. Now, on to Christmas and New Year’s,” she adds with a sigh.

While the December holidays aren’t especially busy for us wedding planners, it’s peak season for the rest of the resort staff, and I assume I’ll be pitching in to help with other types of events.

“While we’re looking ahead to the new year,” Clare says, “I’d like us to talk soon about your plans. You took this job on the spur of the moment, but from my point of view, you’re working out very well here.”

Before I can respond, she continues. “I’ve received a lot of good feedback about you, both from others in the meeting staff and especially from clients, and in gratitude for that and because I hope you plan to stay with us for a long time, I’d like to offer you an immediate raise of twenty percent.”

“Oh. Thank you.” I’m so stunned, I don’t know what else to say.

“We can talk about the potential for a higher salary based on your plans here.”

“Thank you, Clare. I appreciate that.”

“I appreciate you, Alex. You’re an excellent planner. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

And with that, she’s gone, and I’m left thinking how ironic it is that I make plans for a living, because I have no idea what to do with my own life in the future.

GAGE

There is a mindset adjustment that’s needed when you grow up with very little and watch your family struggling to make ends meet, and then you suddenly have a good deal of money, more than you really need.

There’s a guilt that comes with it, and maybe a feeling of being undeserving, even though you know you worked hard for it.

I’m sure Kai and Thorn have faced some similar inner conflict along these same lines. We put our families first, buying them as much as they’ll accept, and when it still feels like we have too much, donating time and money helps bring things into balance.

We’ve always given our time, but it feels good to also be able to donate funds, and one of our favorite organizations is a local animal rescue operation, the same one that now offers adoptions through the pet store.

We’ve helped out at their shelter several times, but this evening is special, because Lexy’s joining us.

Every time I’ve been here, she and her love of animals have been on my mind, even if thoughts of her sometimes felt distant and abstract. Now she’s close and in the flesh—warm, beautiful, gorgeous flesh.

“Gage, you shouldn’t,” she says with a giggle, squirming but not moving away from me when I discreetly slide my hand under her shirt to touch the bare skin just above her jeans. I’m not generally into PDA, but with Lexy, I can’t help myself.

---