Page 5 of Sam (Eye Candy Ink)

“That’s high praise coming from you,” he continues.

“Whatever. I’m not interested in dating right now. My last, oh I don’t know, five hundred, dates have been a freaking nightmare.”

My phone buzzes on the counter and I spin around to see who could be messaging me.

UNKNOWN:Hey, it’s Max. I’d love to take you out to dinner sometime.

My stomach flutterswhen I see it’s from Max and I do my best to repress that sensation. Ijustpromised myself that I wouldn’t date any more boys.Max isn’t a boy,my subconscious whispers but I tell her to shut up.Wait, how did he get my phone number?I look over my shoulder, glaring at Zeke who gives me a sheepish smile.

“He’s a good guy and I think you’d be good for each other.”

I growl under my breath before I type out my response, ignoring the way my stomach twists and sinks.

SAM:No.

I shovemy phone in my bag before I can be tempted to take Max up on his offer and spin around to face Zeke. The other tattoo machine turns off and it’s silent for a beat.

“I wish you’d give him a chance.”

“What happens when things go bad? Whose side are you going to be on? How awkward is it going to be for me to work here?”

“Things won’t go bad,” he insists.

“You can’t know that.”

Voices come from down the hall and Mischa leads his two giggling girls up front. He looks like he’s about to pull his hair out but he still gives them that grin that has girls going crazy. One steps up to hug him and he pulls back. I grin wider. I wonder if he knows just how far gone he is already for Indie. I check his client out and I want to point out that Indie hugs him but he heads back to clean up his room before I can.

“You think he knows he’s in love with Indie yet?” I ask quietly after he disappears into his room.

“Hell no. He’s going to fight his feelings for her tooth and nail. I just hope he doesn’t fuck it all up before he realizes it.”

Nico comes up then with the guy he had been working on and I cash him out and then lock the front door after him. I go back behind the desk to wait for Mischa and Nico to finish cleaning up. Zeke is still leaning against the back counter, watching me.

“What?”

“Speaking of people missing opportunities.”

“Who was talking about that?”

“See you guys tomorrow!” Mischa calls as he practically sprints out of the shop.

“See you!” Zeke and I both call after him as we watch him go.

“Indie?” I ask.

“Yep,” he says, popping the p and making me smile.

I can hear Nico moving around in his room and I know it won't be long now so I stand and pick up my bag, making sure that everything is in its place before I head out.

“I just want you to be happy, Sam,” Zeke says from behind me and I nod my head, not turning around.

“I know, but I already am.”

“I want you to be Mischa and Atlas happy.”

“I think I’d need drugs or some kind of medication for that.”

Zeke rolls his eyes, a smile playing on his lips as he lets the subject drop. I know that he cares about me, that all of the guys in the shop do, but I’m fine. I love my life and I don’t need to be adding any more people to it.

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