Page 51 of Merrick

“When do we meet him, then?” Keith asked.

“I don’t know. We have opposite schedules, and I’m enjoying having him to myself.”

“What shop does he work at?”

“Ink and Ember.”

Justin’s eyes went wide. “He works for Riggs Ember?”

“I honestly have no idea,” he admitted.

“That’s Riggs’s shop.”

Wilder shrugged.

“He’s a good guy,” Justin said. “Lost his husband a few years ago but just started seeing someone new recently. It’s been good for him. I’m sure your guy is a good one too or Riggs wouldn’t have hired him.”

“He is,” Wilder said, even though it didn’t need saying.

“Oh,” Micah said quietly around a mouthful of food. “You love him.”

Wilder leveled a look across the table that did nothing to wipe the knowing grin off Micah’s face.

“That’s cute,” Justin teased.

“I didn’t come over to be picked on.”

“Why did you come over?”

“I don’t even know anymore.” He wiped his fingers on a napkin and flipped Justin the bird. “But I just…”

“You do love him,” Keith said, repeating Micah’s earlier assumption.

“Why does everyone think I love him?”

“You look lovesick,” Justin answered. “If you must know. But you looked the same when you told me about him the first time too.”

Wilder shoved his plate away and put his head in his hands, groaning. “Is it too soon?”

Three voices all told him no.

“I’ve known you a very long time and you’ve never second-guessed yourself like this,” Justin said.

“I don’t want to mess it up,” he confessed reluctantly.

“Impossible,” Keith said, patting his thigh.

“I would like you guys to meet him soon.”

“We can’t wait,” Justin said, speaking for himself and the two men he loved most in the world.

The four of them finished lunch, and Wilder gave Micah all the thanks he deserved for letting him tag along and making extra. He didn’t have it in himself to go back to work, though. His mind raced with thoughts of Merrick and before he knew it, he found himself parked around the corner from Ink and Ember, fingers tapping against the steering wheel. Getting a tattoo was a crazy idea, but nothing had ever made more sense to him. He was in love and Merrick was end game for him. He wanted everyone around him to know it.

He didn’t know if Merrick had appointments or if he was busy or if he was even allowed visitors at work, but he knew Justin said Merrick’s boss was a good guy so he hedged his bets and climbed out of the car. He counted his steps to the door, two large jingle bells announcing his arrival when he stepped into the shop. The place was small but it didn’t feel cramped. With dark walls all around and a half counter separating the waiting area from the artists’ stations, it took him no time at all to find Merrick.

Merrick saw him at the same time, their eyes locking and a small smile creeping slowly across his face. Wilder tapped his palms against the counter and waited for Merrick to set down his sketchbook and meet him there.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, still grinning.