Page 39 of Inked Heart
He huffs a soft laugh.“Don’t tell anyone.I have a reputation to maintain.”
“What reputation?”
“The quiet guy who does taxes.”
“That’s not a reputation.”
“It is here.”
I smile.“Well, I’m ruining it.”
“Please don’t.”
“I already saw the tattoos.”
“Fair point.”
The conversation pauses again before he glances at me.“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why do you stay with him?”
The question lands gently but it still hits like a fist to my chest.“You mean Emette?”
“Yes.”
I stare into my coffee cup because the honest answer is complicated.
“He wasn’t always like this,” I say quietly.
“How was he?”
“Fun.Supportive.Different.”
Damien nods slowly.“And now?”
I hesitate.Because saying the truth out loud feels dangerous.“Now he’s ...stressed.”
“That’s the word you’re going with.”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”He doesn’t argue, which somehow makes the conversation feel heavier.
“I know what you’re thinking,” I say.
“I’m not thinking anything.”
“You think I deserve better.”
His eyes meet mine.“Do you?”
The question catches me off guard.“I don’t know.”
“You should.”
“Relationships take work.”
