Page 38 of The Moment You Know

“I didn’t tell you that to freak you out. I just want to make sure you tell me if you feel unwell, in any way. I won’t think you’re a pussy if you tell me you need a breather. I’d rather you tell me you need a breather than tip over without warning while I’m working on you and fuck up an hour’s worth of work that I then have to try and fix. I really hate that.”

David’s eyes widened.

Therese winked. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

Paige squeezed David’s hand. “My moral support is starting right now.”

David settled back into position, now slightly wary.

“I’m going to try and get everything done today, but it’ll depend on how much you can take.” Therese surveyed the design on David’s back. “So, we’ll see how it goes.”

David took a breath. “Okay.”

Therese glanced at Paige over David’s shoulder. “You’re a lucky girl,” she murmured, before the buzzing sound of the tattoo machine filled the small space as she started to work.

Assuming Therese had said that because of David’s looks, Paige smiled and said, “I am,” at the same time that David said, “She is.”

“So, how long have you two been together?” Therese asked.

“Eleven months, one week, and five days,” David answered. “Give or take a couple of hours.”

Therese raised her eyebrows. “That’s really specific. Most people would’ve gone with ‘almost a year’. How did you meet?”

“We met in a bar on Groundhog Day,” Paige answered, exchanging a smile with David.

“I met my boyfriend in a bar, too,” Therese said. “In the women’s bathroom, actually. His friends dared him to follow me in there and hit on me, and he did.”

“That’s actually kind of sweet,” Paige told her.

Therese nodded. “It’ll be a funny story to tell our kids one day.”

“How long have you two been together?” asked David.

“Three years, six months, two weeks, two days and um …” Therese glanced at the clock on the wall and then tacked on, “Ten hours.”

Therese then continued to work steadily, with utter concentration, for the next two hours. She also kept up a steady stream of conversation, which Paige figured was to help David focus on something other than the needle stabbing into his back.

Paige held his hands the entire time, alternately squeezing and rubbing them. She also peppered his face with kisses, when it became a little flushed and his beautiful hazel eyes took on a cloudy layer of pain. And although he never complained, Paige could see when he was nearing the end of his tolerance and was glad when Therese stopped.

“Everything is done,” she announced.

David nodded. “Good. I’m not sure I could’ve taken much more.”

“Same here. My hands were starting to shake a lot.”

“What?”

“Just some on-the-job humor.” Therese laughed and took off her mask. “Tattoo virgins are the best.”

David had Paige return to the waiting room so he could look at the finished product and also get the after care instructions for his tattoo.

When David came out a little while later, he was holding himself a little stiffly, but was happy as he paid the receptionist.

“Are you okay?” Paige asked him once they left and were outside. “You look kind of high.”

He took her hand. “I feel kind of high. I think it’s the endorphins. Holy shit.”

They walked back to his apartment, which took about fifteen minutes and once inside, he closed the door and pushed her against it, kissing her. Usually, he was gentle and took his time, using his tongue to tease her with gentle licks and strokes. But now, he owned her lips with his—almost plundering—and he knew he wasn’t going to be able to take his time with anything.

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