6. Candice
CANDICE
“I s it alright if I leave now?” I ask my boss. I already know the answer, but for once she may surprise me.
“No. You were late back from your lunch break, again , so you can sanitise all the manicuring equipment and sweep the floor before you leave. I’m running a business here, not a charity.”
“I’ve already done all that.” I was only a few minutes late. She never takes into consideration all the times I arrive early or stay back. God, I hate working here. It’s not the work or the clients … it’s her.
“Redo them then,” she snaps.
“Bitch,” I mumble under my breath when she storms to the back of the shop. I know what I’d like to do with all the nail files and clippers—shove them up her arrogant, unreasonable arse.
It’s almost six by the time I finally arrive at Jax’s shop.
I practically run all the way because I’m worried he’ll think I’m not coming.
Seeing him again is all I’ve thought about the entire afternoon.
Regardless of what’s happened between us, I need him in my life.
Truth is, I’m miserable without him. Jax’s parting words from earlier are stuck in my mind and I have a feeling my sparkle will return now he has.
I’m relieved when I see the lights inside are still on and I spend a minute or so catching my breath before entering.
I use this time to take in the shop front.
My heart swells with pride—I knew he’d follow his dream.
He’s always been driven. I wish I could say the same thing for myself.
Things changed dramatically for me after he left.
The last few years I’ve struggled, to the point where some days I even found it hard to breathe without him.
All my dreams were squashed. Even though I had no real aspirations when I was at school, I hate where I’ve ended up.
I think it’s more my boss than the job itself.
As I push through the front door, I see a blonde behind the desk.
She’s extremely attractive—just Jax’s type.
I wonder if he’s been with her too. I hate the jealousy that rises within me at that thought.
My head knows what happened between us was a mistake and we’ll only ever be friends, but my heart hasn’t gotten to that place yet.
“Hi,” I say as I cross the shop floor.
She smiles, but it’s forced. “Hi. We’re getting ready to close; can I help you with something?”
“I’m here to see Jaxson. He’s expecting me.”
The smile drops from her face and her eyes narrow as she glances down at the appointment book in front of her.
“Do you have an appointment? There’s nothing in the book. He asked me to cancel his last client.”
I wonder if he cancelled it because of me. I can tell the exact moment his receptionist has the same thought because her lips purse.
“I’m not here to get a tattoo.”
“Then why are you here?” There’s venom in her voice. Maybe I was right in thinking something was going on between them.
“Is he here or not?” I don’t owe this bitch an explanation. Whether they’re a couple or not, Jax is my friend and I have every right to see him.
“Take a seat. I’ll see if he’s free.”
When she flicks her hand at me, I have to bite my tongue as I turn and walk to the black leather L-shaped sofa by the far wall. Before I’m even seated I hear Jax’s voice behind me.
“You came.”
I swing around to face him and my stomach does a flip-flop as soon as our eyes lock.
It’s been years since I’ve had these feelings.
Is it possible that he’s grown more handsome during our time apart?
Because I’m pretty sure he has. Don’t even get me started on those sexy-as-hell tattoos of his.
He was a dreamboat back in high school, but now he’s all man.
This badarse look he has going on does it for me.
“Of course, I came.” The shy, boyish look that appears on his face is something I’ve missed. As handsome and confident as he is, that childlike expression he gets occasionally has always been endearing. He steals another piece of my heart every time I see it.
“I’m glad.” He gives me a brief hug before turning his attention to the bitchy blonde. “You can leave now, Mandy.”
“What?”
“You can leave. Your shift finished half an hour ago.”
I have to suppress my smile at the way he’s speaking to her, but she deserves it after the way she treated me.
“Sure,” she says, trying to act unaffected, but I can see straight through her. Snatching her bag from behind the reception desk, she storms to the exit. “I’ll see you in the morning, Jax.”
She gives him a weak smile as she glances over her shoulder. When her eyes move to me, her dislike shows. I’m not usually the nasty type, but for this woman, I’ll make an exception.
“Bye,” I say, smiling sweetly and giving her a little wave.
She grunts as she opens the door before slamming it closed behind her.
“What’s the go with psycho Barbie?” I ask.
“Psycho Barbie,” he chuckles. “That name suits her perfectly.” Sighing, he removes his cap and runs his hand through his thick brown hair. “She’s become a thorn in my side. I think it’s time I found a new receptionist.”
“She’s not your girlfriend then?” The words are out of my mouth before I even realise.
He chuckles. “Hell no. You know me better than anyone, I’m not the girlfriend type.”
Forcing out a smile, I try to act unaffected by his admission. I’d be lying if I said his words didn’t sting because they do.
“Your place looks great,” I say, changing the subject. I’m not ready to hash our past out with him just yet. The day will come though—he seems oblivious to the heartache I’ve had to endure since he walked away and didn’t look back.
“It does look great, doesn’t it? I fucking love this place,” he says, beaming. He has every right to be proud.
He slides his hands in his pockets and, out of the corner of my eye, I see him watching me as I walk around the reception area. The walls are painted a deep red and the furnishings are black. There are large, colourful, framed prints of heavily inked bodies hanging on every wall.
“Come out back and let me show you my studio.”
I feel giddy as I follow him down the corridor.
I can’t help but smile the minute I enter.
I’ve never been inside a tattoo parlour before.
Everything is set out meticulously. The walls are a sterile white.
There’s a black reclining chair in the far corner, with a matching stool sitting beside it.
On the adjoining wall is a bed, similar to the ones we use at the beauticians. The row of cabinets is stainless steel.
It looks like Jax has the best equipment money can buy. I’d love to get him to give me a tattoo, but I’m too afraid to ask. Sophia would probably freak out anyway. It took her months to adjust to my pink hair.
I glide my fingertips over his things as I take it all in. “I knew you’d do this one day. I didn’t doubt it for a second.”
“You’re the only one who ever believed in me. Your unwavering faith is what gave me the courage to do it.”
I hate that his family has never supported him. The fact that he’s accomplished this all on his own makes it so much more inspiring. My heart skips a beat when he reaches for my hand. The effect he has on me is strong … electric. One touch and my entire body zings to life.
I often think about our last day together—when I gave him my heart and he crushed it into a million pieces when he ran off like a thief in the night. It’s still raw, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever completely recover from it.
I turn my head away, trying not to let him see the hurt that still lingers. “Oh, my God. You still have the sketch pad I gave you,” I say when I notice it sitting on the bench by the wall. I pick it up and flick through the pages, admiring all the drawings inside.
“I’ve kept everything you’ve ever given me.”
I glance at him over my shoulder. “Everything except me,” I want to say, but there’s no point dredging up the past. We’re back together, and that’s all that matters.
I think we both know that we can’t go there again.
It’s what tore us apart. We have a second chance to get this right and I’m going to try my hardest not to screw it up.