Avery smiles and nods. “In that handwriting, too?”
“Yes, please.”
“Send that photo to me, and I’ll draw it up. Now, where are you thinking for placement and size?”
Opal’s face heats with a blush and she drops her chin to the side. “Here,” she raises her left arm and runs her hand over her ribcage, the section of skin that’s precariously close to her breast. “I know it’ll hurt like the dickens, but I still want it here.”
Avery grins. “Took the warning right out of my mouth. As long as you’re prepared for the pain, we’re good. It’ll look amazing there. We adding blue, or do you want it all black and white?”
“Blue for the flowers.”
“Beautiful. I love it. Give me a few minutes. You’ll need to ditch the bra and shirt.” She reaches into a cabinet and pulls out a few paper sheets, the same kind they keep at doctors’ offices. “I’ll help you get situated when I come back.”
“Thanks.” Opal nods and as soon as Avery is out the door she raises her hand and levels me with a serious stare. “Don’t ask. I’m not changing my mind.”
“Wasn’t going to.” I chuckle and eye her paper towels. “You’re gonna make me turn around, aren’t you?”
“Yes, please.” She groans and her skin blotches with a blush.
I turn my back and even though I’m tempted to sneak a look, I don’t. I may fall short in many ways, but I was raised a gentleman.
Avery returns with the artwork and helps Opal lay on her side, having her tuck one arm under her head, and the other over. She tapes one of the paper sheets onto Opal’s chest to provide the maximum coverage, and drapes the other over her stomach. “He staying?” She glances at where I’m standing in the corner.
Opal nods and I can practically feel her nerves. I don’t want to get in Avery’s way, but I need to put Opal at ease. I promised.
“Hey, I’m here.” I take the extra chair from the corner and scoot it over to the top end of the reclining chair where Opal’s head rests. Taking a seat, I reach forward and lace our fingers together and give her a light squeeze.
Opal tilts her chin up so she can meet my gaze. She mouths the words, “Thank you,” and the relief is clear in her eyes.
“Alright, sister. Here we go.” Avery goes to work, the buzz of her needle a constant thrum while she follows the transparent stencil on Opal’s skin. It’s mesmerizing to watch her work.
“You’re doing so good,” I whisper and meet Opal’s wide eyes. She’s staring at me and now I can’t look away. It’s oddly intimate, holding her hand while she’s in a compromising position.She trusts me. It hits me square in the chest and I concentrate on slowing my own pulse because her trust is something I most certainly don’t deserve.
“Not so bad,” she says through a rushed breath while Avery reloads with more ink. “How’s it lookin’?”
Gorgeous. Sexy. Badass. “Beautiful.”
She nods, her lips pulling into a soft smile. We stay like this, connected, for the full two hours it takes Avery to complete the artwork. The flower is delicate, a simple beauty, and a perfect fit for Opal. The words, obviously personal and in a scrawled handwriting, wrap through wildflower buds and speak profoundly to my soul.
“Wherever I wander, you’re always with me.” I say them aloud as Avery cleans the area. I look at Opal for an explanation, but instead she draws her hand out of mine.
“Let’s get you up so you can see.” Avery helps Opal to sit and then off the chair. “You sat like a champ, girl. I’d never have known that was your first.”
“My God,” Opal exclaims in a breathy voice as she steps up to the mirrored wall, her free hand holding the paper intact across her chest. “It’s beautiful, Avery. Thank you. Thank you so much.” Her voice is thick with emotion.
“Anytime.” Avery’s lips twist up with a smile. She glances at me. “How about you head out to the front so I can help our girl get dressed.”
I glance at Opal to make sure she’s good with that plan. At her nod, I turn back to Avery. “See you up front.” I walk back the way we came in, careful not to brush my arm against my body.
I love my tattoo. I already want another one and can see why they’re addicting.
Opal and Avery rejoin me a few minutes later. We each settle our balance, offering another round of thanks and compliments to our talented artist before she heads back with her next client.
“I did it!” She turns to me as soon as we’re alone. Her lips stretch with a wide smile and she bounces on the tip of her toes. “I can’t believe I did it!”
“Believe it.”
“Wasn’t Avery the best? I kinda want another already. But only from her.”
