Chapter Six
Pretty damn good doesn’t describe how perfect this woman looks.
“Oh my God, are you two on a date?” Hadley squeals from across the restaurant. She and Kat walk towards our table.
I mask my annoyance at them joining us. I may love Hadley like a little sister but I need more time alone with Ryan.
“Pretty sure we’ve established years ago that he would never. So, no.” Ry’s voice is pained as she responds.
“What are you guys doing here?” I ask, ignoring the way Ryan’s comment guts me.
“We came for lunch. Connor is meeting us.” Hadley smiles. “Mind if we join you? I’d love for you to meet him.”
I don’t say anything, just move around the booth so that I’m next to Ryan. Kat slides in on Ry’s other side, while Hadley settles on my left.
“What happened to Andy?” I ask Hadley as I take a sip of my water. She visibly tenses.
“Uh, Ryan didn’t tell you?” She twists her fingers in her lap while Ryan shakes her head. I look between them both, confused. Clearly, I’ve missed something. “Well. It’s a long story.” She glances at the door, and her eyes light up when a man older than me starts walking towards our table. His brow raises when he sees me next to Hadley.
“I can tell you later,” she says softly.
“Mo Ghrá,” the older gentleman says with a thick Irish brogue.
Damn, no wonder Hadley melts into him. I would too with how he looks on top of that accent.
“Hi baby,” she smiles up at him, scooting closer to me so he can sit next to her. “This is Greyson, the friend I told you about.” She leans into him, his arm wrapped protectively around her.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Connor.” His genuine smile starkly contrasts his possessive look when he first arrived.
We sit around chatting for hours, the plans of working around my dad’s house long forgotten. I pieced together some parts of Hadley and Connor’s story, but when I went to ask, Ryan squeezed my thigh under the table as a warning, shaking her head subtly enough that no one else noticed.
The server places the check on the table, and I go to reach for it. Connor snatches it and pulls it out of my reach.
“My treat for adding testosterone to this group outing.” He laughs.
When it’s time to sign the credit card receipt, Connor rolls up his sleeves, revealing fresh ink. My eyes immediately lock on the intricate linework. I smirk to myself, knowing the signature of my first mentor anywhere.
“Nat’s still tattooing, I see?” I nod at Connor”s arm.
“Not as much now. He’s been looking to sell, but no one around here is in the position to buy the shop.” He shrugs. “He’s been tattooing me for years, so he still works me in when he’s feeling up to it.”
I nod in agreement. That shop has been in Central Falls since I was a kid.
I remember when I first walked into that shop at fifteen with my dad by my side. He signed off on my first piece. A lily, my mom”s favorite flower. She would always stop for them any time she came across them when we were out. Up until the day before he died, he took those flowers to her grave every day. A sad smile pulls at my lips.
“Grey?” Ryan’s soft voice pulls me from my thoughts, her hand squeezing gently on my thigh again. “You ok?”
“Yeah, just thinking about my parents.” My lips twitch, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders, hugging her to my side. “I’m good.” I press my lips to her hair, inhaling the same kiwi and mango mixture as before, making my dick twitch in my pants. I clear my throat when I realize everyone is staring at us.
“So, Greyson. I want to get two tattoos. What’s the chance you can help me with that while you”re here?” Hadley”s mischievous grin reminds me so much of when we were kids.
“Oh boy. Hellion Hadley is at it again. What do you want?” I shake my head with a laugh.
“I can tell ya later, I want to cover up some scar tissue.” Her smile wavers, and Connor squeezes her even tighter into him.
“Mo Ghrá,” he growls.
“It’s time, baby. I need to do this, for me.” She presses her hand against his chest.
“Let me see what I can do.” I wink at her.
We stayed through the dinner rush, just talking and catching up. The girls have only gotten closer over the years, which seems impossible considering they were thick as thieves before I left. On the way back to my place, I drive across Lambert Avenue to see that Alchemy Ink, Nat’s shop, is open. I pull into the lot and park the truck in front of the shop.
“Really, you need a new tattoo? Can’t you give yourself one at home?” Ryan’s sass is like catnip for my dick.
“Relax, Kitten, I’ll be five minutes.” I roll my eyes at her as I exit the truck and close the door behind me.
Walking towards the front door of Alchemy Ink is like déjà vu. I never thought I’d be back here again. I step through the threshold to find Nat sitting on the couch against the far wall of the waiting area. A sly grin spreads across his face when he sees me.
“Well, I’ll be goddamned! If it’s not the prodigal son.”
“Hey, Nat.” My Cheshire grin mirrors his. “It’s been a while.“
“I’d say. I didn’t expect to see you around here after that grand departure.” Nat’s gruff chuckle fills the room, “What was it you said? ‘Suck my dick, old man.’”
“I was an immature asshole. Now, I’m just an asshole.” I wink. “I’ve always respected you, old man.”
He grins at me before a somber look passes over his face.
“I’m sorry about your dad, son. I heard this morning.” Nat stands from his position on the couch and takes the few steps needed to reach me, pulling me in for a quick hug and a strong pat on the shoulder. “He’s become a good friend over the years. The only way I could keep up with your disappearing ass without figuring out how to use a damn computer.”
“Thanks,” I respond, shifting uncomfortably. I’m not ready to have a conversation about my dad. “Listen, I wanted to ask you something.” I smirk at him.
“And here I thought, after all this time, you just wanted to catch up.” He laughs. “What is it, son?”