Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
“Holy crap. I had no idea.”
“Neither did I. I saved the link to the website. If you want, I’ll text it to you.”
“Yeah, definitely.”
After that, Billie took out the drawings she’d done last night based on what Mia had told her. Mia oohed and ahhed and let out a few squeals, but I had to force a smile on my face. I was too busy thinking about the fact that I might not have to wait seven months to find out the father of my baby. It should’ve made me ecstatic, yet I felt nothing but anxiety. Luckily, Billie started Mia’s tattoo, and I got to sit and try to sort out my feelings to the peaceful sound of the needle humming.
Two hours later, Mia’s wrist had some artwork. Neither Mia nor I had wanted to see the tattoo until it was finished.
Billie peeled the rubber gloves from her hands. “All done. Are you ready to view your ink?”
Mia nodded and squeezed her eyes shut. She’d been facing the other direction the entire time Billie was working, but now she turned and opened her eyes. “Oh my God! It’s gorgeous!”
I peered over for a look. “Wow. It really is. It pops off her arm.”
Mia had gotten a tattoo of a tiny bumblebee with a flower on the inside of her right wrist. The colors were so vibrant, and the bee looked almost 3D. Her eyes welled up. “Granny Bea would’ve loved it. It’s perfect, Billie.”
Mia had lost her parents in a car accident when she was only five, so her grandmother Beatrice raised her. They’d been super close until she died two years ago. Mia tended to work long hours, and Bea always used to remind her to slow down, to stop and smell the flowers once in a while. Mia even had the saying engraved on her grandmother’s headstone. So the tattoo of a bee smelling a flower was perfect for her.
“It’s really amazing, Billie,” I said. “It makes me want to get one.”
“When you’re ready, I’d be honored.”
Billie gave Mia a bunch of after-care instructions, then rubbed some ointment onto her wrist and wrapped it with clear cellophane. The shop had come alive as she was finishing up. Justine, the receptionist, was now at the front desk, and Deek, one of the tattoo artists who worked here and also lived in the building upstairs, was busy setting up his station. Pretty soon, Billie’s first appointment showed up, too.
“Thank you so much for coming in early to do this for me,” Mia said. “It’s everything I’d hoped for and more.”
“No problem. I’m glad you like it.”
“Maybe the three of us can go out for a drink while I’m in town?”
Billie nodded. “I’d like that. I’ll invite Lala too, if you don’t mind. We’ve been trying to get each other out once in a while, so we aren’t talking baby talk twenty-four-seven.”
“That would be great,” Mia said. “I’d love to meet her.”
We all hugged goodbye. Out in the reception area, Mia approached the counter. Justine stood in front of the register.
“What do I owe you?”
“The boss said this one’s on the house.”
“What?” Mia shook her head. “I can’t do that. She just drew a work of art on my body. Whatever her fee is, I’m sure it’s not enough. But I need to pay her.”
“Billie said Devyn is family, so that makes you extended family. She has a family doesn’t pay policy. Trust me, I’ve worked here for years. There’s no point in arguing with the woman when she’s made up her mind.”
“Gosh, that’s so incredibly generous.” Mia looked at me. “That drink is going to have to be at least a dinner now, with dessert and expensive wine, too.”
I smiled. “That sounds like a good plan to me.”
Two more customers walked in, so we thanked Justine and moved out of the way. Mia was busy shoving her credit card back into her wallet as we walked to the door, so she didn’t see a third person coming in until she smashed right into them. Mia wobbled, almost losing her footing, but the guy gripped her elbows, steadying her.
“Whoa. Mi dispiace tantissimo!” he said. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry, signorina!”
Mia’s jaw dropped open. “Oh my God.”
I seconded that sentiment, only I didn’t say it out loud. Damn. This guy was gorgeous. Olive skin, bright green eyes, and the bone structure of a Greek god—or actually, an Italian god. He had longish hair, which wasn’t usually my thing, but totally worked for him. Not to mention, the dreamy Italian accent elevated him from an easy ten to at least a twenty.
“Sei ferita?” he said. “You are hurt?”
Mia just kept staring.
The man’s face grew concerned when she didn’t answer. “Miss?”
I nudged my friend. “Mia, answer. Use your words.”
She closed her mouth and shook her head, blinking. “Oh…yes. I’m fine.”