Page 32 of Broken Beauty

I nod my head before looking around where we are walking.

Right now we're near Central Park. Ash is holding my hand and I am trying not to die from the heat.

I swear New York's weather is ten times worse than California. If it's hot in California then it's ten times hotter in New York to the point where it's humid and sweat is running down my arm pits. I am praying that Ash doesn't smell the B.O. or notice how I am sweating.

Today I decided to wear jean shorts and a black cropped shirt. I tied my hair in a messy ponytail and decided to wear my white tennis shoes.

Ash is wearing black jeans and a white shirt with his classic chain necklace. He also decided to wear a hat today which makes it hard to take my eyes off of him.

My eyes catch a tattoo shop and I pull Ash towards the shop. I look at Ash and see him smirking while his eyes roam around the shop before they go to me.

We walk inside the tattoo shop and it's almost dead in here. There are only two people getting a tattoo done. Some employees are sitting on the chairs scrolling through their phones as music plays throughout the shop.

“Hello.” My eyes catch the guy at the front desk and I smile and walk towards him. “How can I help you guys?”

I look at Ash. “Get a matching tattoo with a stranger.”

“Are we still strangers?” Ash smirks and I blush before looking at the guy.

“We want to get tattoos together.”

“I'll have to ask the artist. Is it something complicated or small?”

“Small.”

“Okay, just pull up what you want while I go talk to him. Give me a second.” The guy walks away and I turn my head to Ash.

“I hope you are fine with getting one because if not then this will be a total fail.”

Ash laughs and he slides his hands around my waist to pull me closer. “I'll get one with you. Do you know what you want?”

“I have an idea. I kind of thought of this last minute,” I say, giving Ash a small smile while my cheeks start to heat up. “I was thinking of getting the Roman numerals for 2023.”

“I like it. I've always wanted to get a Roman numeral tattoo.”

“I want to get it right here.” I point to the spot under my boob on my left side.

“That might hurt. Is it your first tattoo?”

“Yea.”

I know that Ash has tattoos. I've seen glimpses of them when he is undressing or when we went to the beach for that whole day.

I never asked what the meaning of them is because I know that's too personal. Plus, I'm always reminding myself that what's happening between us is temporary.

“Okay. I'll get it in the same spot.”

“Matching tattoos with a stranger.” I smile up at Ash.

“Kind of stranger.”

The guy comes back, this time with the tattoo artist. I tell him about the tattoo and where I want it and then I explain how Ash will be getting the same tattoo as me.

He brings us to his room and then preps the area where the tattoos will be.

I'm going to get mine first.

I feel nerves explode in my stomach and I can't help but overthink.