“I can’t argue with that. But, I thought Nick was the tattoo guy?”
“Little known fact is that I’m the one who got Nick hooked on ink.”
“Well, he seems to have taken to it... ” I say drily, recalling the inked vines that crept up his neck.
“Yeah, he got hooked. In his defense, it’s pretty addictive. You get into a pretty good headspace when you’re in the chair and the gun’s running across your skin. But still, I’d pick climbing over ink any day.”
“Your face lights up when you talk about it.”
His smile is instantaneous. “Yeah. I’m lucky enough to make a living doing what I love. Well, most of the time. My buddy Dax owns an outdoor adventure company in Colorado, and I work there as a guide for part of the year. In the off-season, I’m here in Maryland, working at my parents’ travel agency.”
“Oh, that sounds like fun.”
“I can’t complain. They’re swamped right now, and my brother is tied up, too, so in a couple weeks, I have to head to the Caribbean on a ten day cruise.” The melancholy look on his face doesn’t match the words he’s saying.
“You poor thing,” I mock his somber tone.
“Yea, that’s what the guys said. And I get it. Who can bitch about going on vacation? But, honestly, I’d rather be hanging off the side of a cliff than lying in the sun on the deck of a cruise ship.”
A voice booms behind us. “In that case, you’re fucked in the head. Maybe you fell off one of those mountains and did permanent damage?” Somehow, an hour has passed, and Nick and Simon are back at the table.
Simon stands behind me and wraps his arms around my shoulders, then bends to kiss me behind the ear. Instantly, heat pools in my belly, and my nipples harden. God, I can’t get enough of him. And he’s turning me into a wanton mess. We’re in public, for goodness’ sake!
“So, were you guys watching? Simon and I killed, as usual. Pair of Ps are out of the running. But those bumblebee guys are no joke.” Nick says this seriously and dives into a now-cold basket of wings. “Are you gonna finish those?” Nick nods toward Simon’s fries.
“They’re all yours, Nick. In fact, we should probably head home.” Simon gives me another sweet kiss and helps me into my jacket.
It’s well past nine, and though I’m sure I won’t fall asleep for a few more hours yet, I can’t help but agree that home is exactly where I want to be.
