Page 6 of Breaking Through the Doubt (Espen Jetties #4)

6

COREY

Fridays were always something at the shop. As in an all-hands-on-deck kind of way. Between walk-ins and scheduled appointments, we could never catch a break. I loved seeing every station packed with people, even if it left me feeling completely drained by the end of the day.

It was also the one day we had the shop apprentice manning the reception desk. One day, I’d hire someone to sit there permanently, but for now letting Karli handle the calls and appointment books was the best use of her time.

She started with us a few months ago and, at this point, hadn’t learned enough to take some of the walk-in clients with simple designs. Once she got to that point, I’d hire another to take her place.

I glanced down at the flower design I’d been working on for the last few hours. The client didn’t want any color, only a little shading throughout the design to give the flowers a bit of dimension. I had to admit, I wasn’t one to normally pass on color, but I was thoroughly pleased with the way the tattoo looked on her skin.

“One flower left to shade, then we’ll get you out of here,” I said, reloading the ink into the gun.

“Sounds perfect to me.”

I couldn’t believe the woman in my chair had barely flinched, even when I ran the gun over some of the most tender points on a person’s body. Women were built different when it came to pain levels. I had a quote across my torso and swore it would be the last time I ever put ink anywhere near my ribs. Shit hurt for days.

We’d been so busy the last few hours, I hadn’t paid a bit of attention to the bell on the door. The sound of a familiar voice caught my attention. I glanced up and saw Leslie Knoxton standing at the reception desk.

I wanted to talk to him, to ask what he thought of the ink now that he had a couple days to heal, but I couldn’t leave the client sitting and waiting in my chair for me. Karli could handle whatever questions he might have until I finished my current job. But I wouldn’t lie to myself and admit I wanted to see him for more than just updates on his tattoo.

Nothing I’d done over the last two days had helped me forget about the more reserved man who sat in my chair, getting a tree to represent his family. The look in his eyes as he glanced my way. The heat I felt from his gaze was almost palpable. Even though I tried to will myself to forget him. To remind myself he was a client. I couldn’t escape the sound of his voice in my head.

I continued to shade in the final flower, wishing time would speed up and I would be done. After I made the last stroke, I set down the gun and picked up a paper towel, wiping the ink. The work was simple yet elegant. The shading really lent itself to the look of the tattoo. It brought out the design of the flower, without having the bright colors to distract from the art.

“All done.”

She practically hopped up from the table and went directly to the mirror to look at my work. “I knew I left my old shop for a reason. The talent between these walls is impeccable.”

“Thank you. We appreciate the compliments and the business,” I said wrapping her new tattoo. I grabbed my tablet and updated her file with her new ink, while she got dressed.

“Let’s get you checked out. I’ve seen your other work, so I’m sure you’re familiar with the aftercare instructions, but here’s a copy just in case.”

I saw Karli hand Leslie something as we got closer to the reception desk. He took the paper and started to turn until his gaze locked on mine. Time seemed to freeze or maybe it was just Leslie, since my feet continued propelling me forward.

Leslie still hadn’t moved when I reached Karli’s side. I gave her the tablet with the client’s information on it. “Karli will get you checked out. We hope to see you back when you’re ready for more.”

“Oh, I will be. I still have a lot of blank places to fill.”

“Love the sound of that.”

She passed over some cash. “This is for your excellent work for today.”

“Thank you.” Even the small bit of conversation felt too long while I watched Leslie stand there. As much as I wanted to walk right over to him, I couldn’t. I had to wait until my client was fully turned over to Karli.

Karli looked at Leslie, then back at me with a smile. “He lost his aftercare instructions, but I gave him a new copy.”

“Thanks, Karli.” Karli turned her attention to the woman and started ringing her up for her tattoo. With the client’s focus fully on Karli, I stepped around the counter and was finally able to acknowledge Leslie.

“Hi, Leslie. I’m sorry, I should have told you the instructions were on our website. That’s my fault.”

“It’s no problem. I should have thought to look there.” Leslie held up the paper in his hand. “I have it now. Thanks again.” He turned to walk out the door and I placed my hand on his wrist, stopping him from leaving. I even surprised myself with the action.

He turned to look at me and I snatched my hand away. “Since you’re here, how about you let me look at it?” Leslie glanced around the sitting area where a few people sat waiting. One of them was there for me, but I couldn’t resist the extra moment to spend with Leslie.

“Are you sure? You look busy.”

“We are, but this will only be a minute. Come on back.”

I led Leslie to my station. His posture seemed stiff and nervous. I almost laid my hand on his back. I clenched my fist at my side to keep myself from doing something stupid.

“Want me to sit down?”

“You can if you want. Either way. If you just pull your shirt up, I’ll take a look.”

Leslie proceeded to lift his shirt over his head, and I struggled to keep in my gasp at the tight muscles of his back flexing. This was the exact reason I hadn’t stayed with him while he put his shirt on the other night.

The tree came into view and, once again, I had to admire my work. The branches and lettering were spectacular. A few areas were a little red for my liking. I ran my fingers over the spots to make sure they weren’t hot to the touch. His muscles jumped reflexively at the feel of my fingertips.

“This is looking great. Although, there is a spot or two that look a little red. Let me reapply some ointment and wrap it up.”

“A little red?” He glanced over his shoulder at me, where I could see a bit of the same color in his cheeks.

“Yeah, probably where your shirt rubs against the irritated skin. I would keep a wrap on it for the rest of the week, after that you should be good.”

I got out the supplies to rewrap Leslie’s tattoo. First, I wiped off the ointment he’d had on it and reapplied a fresh coat. Then, I covered the entire design with a wrap.

As I was taping it down, I asked, “What did your teammates think of it?”

Leslie chuckled. “They were shocked I got a tattoo.”

I pressed down the last piece of tape. “All done.” Leslie turned around and his gaze locked with mine. “Why were they shocked?”

“They didn’t expect me to get one since I didn’t have any others. Things have also been a bit all over the place for me. Not on the ice. I’m good there.” He shrugged. “I’m glad I got the tattoo though. A fresh start for a new season. One I desperately needed.”

His gaze dropped to the floor. The desire to caress his cheek and promise him it would be all right overwhelmed me to the point I took a small step back, out of reach.

Whatever this was between us wasn’t going away. I could pretend all I wanted he was a client and that was all he ever would be. Deep down, I knew if given the chance, I’d want more.

It was a chance I was willing to take.

The bell chimed and more voices reached me from the front of the shop. If only it was any other day of the week than Friday. “I’m really glad you came in today. I want to keep talking, but I have a couple of people waiting for their next appointment. Want to get a drink with me when the shop closes?”

Leslie was quiet for a moment. “I…” He shook his head. “I can’t. I’m sorry.” He pulled his shirt on and walked to the opening of my station. “Thanks for your help.”

And before I could say another word, he was gone.

I blinked and tried to figure out what had happened. Maybe I’d read him wrong. The looks. The way his body reacted to the simplest touch. Could I have really imagined it?

In the end, it didn’t matter. Leslie made it clear we hadn’t seen things the same way the last two days. Wasn’t that for the better?

I’d been telling myself since that night, I needed to keep things professional between us. He was here as a client. If I wanted to keep this business going, I had to draw a line in the sand between me and the people who came to me for tattoos.

A part of me still wanted to get to know more about Leslie. It might have been the larger part of me, but the small, rational part of my brain knew this was for the best.

Like my dad had always told me, everything happened for a reason.

This reason could simply have been the universe knew I would be terrible about following my own rules where Leslie was concerned.

I cleaned my station and went up front to the reception desk. “Hey, Karli, who’s next?”

She gestured to a tall, blond man. “He would like to get a jaguar on his bicep.”

“Of course.” I walked up to the man and introduced myself. “Hi, I’m Corey. Karli says you’re looking for a jaguar on your bicep. Did you bring a picture with you?”

“Yup.” He proceeded to pull up the photo on his phone.

“Great. Let’s head back to my station and see what we can come up with.”

And just like that, I returned to work, moving through each new tattoo or design request like a professional. Each hour passed in a blur. There hadn’t been a moment to stop and think. It was one job after the other.

It gave me something to focus on besides the sight of Leslie’s back as he walked out the door. Something that wasn’t so easily done when I pushed through the door of my apartment later that night.

I grabbed a beer from the fridge and dropped down on the couch. Earlier, I told myself that him leaving had been for the best. I’d been wrong. Although, I had a feeling I’d probably never see Leslie walk through the door of my shop again.