Page 30 of Inked Heart
“I’m honored.”
Alistair walks over and grabs one, too.“About time,” he says.“I was about to start drinking tattoo ink.”
“Please don’t,” Damien replies calmly.“That would create a lot of paperwork.”
I laugh.That dry humor of his sneaks up on you every time.Damien hands me the last cup.“Figured you might want one.”
“Thank you.”
Our fingers brush briefly again.It’s a tiny contact, barely noticeable, but it still sends a strange little spark up my arm.Which is ridiculous.
I take a sip of the coffee to hide my reaction.It’s strong.Exactly how I like it.
“You remembered my order,” I say.
“You told me once.”
“That was weeks ago.”
He shrugs slightly.“I’m good with numbers.”
“That’s not a number.”
“It’s information.”
I shake my head, smiling.“You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
He sits down in the chair across from the couch while Skye disappears into the back to bother someone else.For a moment it’s just the two of us and comfortable silence settles between us.
I’ve noticed that happens a lot with Damien.There’s never that awkward pressure to keep talking.He just sits there quietly, sipping his coffee like he’s perfectly content existing in the same space.
It’s oddly relaxing.
“So,” I say eventually.“Busy morning?”
“Accounting emergency.”
“That sounds thrilling.”I pull a face and he chuckles.
“It was spreadsheets.”
“Even better.”
He smirks faintly.“Your sarcasm is noted.”
“I aim to please.”
I glance around the shop.The crew is scattered around their stations working.Clients chat and music plays.Everything feels easy, like the world has slowed down just enough for me to breathe.
“I like it here,” I say without thinking.
Damien glances up.“At the shop?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
