Page 7 of Love Restored

Blake swiped a tear as Kennedy did the same and cursed herself for letting that emotion show. This was her job, and she needed to remember to hold it in, or she’d do something monumentally stupid and rely on someone again. She’d rather not risk that, thank you very much.

“I think that sounds like a perfect tattoo for you. Well thought out and something that will be just for you. At least, until you’re ready to show it off.” Blake winked, causing both of them to laugh softly. “Have you ever had a tattoo before?”

Kennedy shook her head. “No, this will be my first one.”

“A virgin, then,” Blake said as she took the paper from Kennedy’s grip.

The other woman snorted. “Sure. We can go with that.”

Ah, not so innocent. Blake liked Kennedy already. She opened the folded paper to see a computer printed version of a butterfly outline and nodded.

“I can work with this and add a little to the outsides so it’s unique to you,” Blake said as she studied the way the curves of the wings made it look like it was fluttering. Compared to some of the things customers brought in, this wasn’t bad at all.

“That sounds great,” Kennedy said. “I trust you.”

Blake looked up with a grin. “You haven’t seen my work yet, and you trust me?”

Kennedy shrugged. “Almost dying sort of makes you see people differently. I’m usually a decent judge of character.”

Blake sobered and nodded. “Well, I’m glad you see something you can trust. Let me get to work. You can keep talking if you want. What do you do for a living?”

Kennedy began talking about how she was working in social work at the moment in the pediatric unit of the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. When she spoke of helping kids like she’d been helped in the past, her voice warmed, and Blake knew that this woman would one day do amazing things—if she hadn’t already begun.

The sketch only took a few minutes, and when Kennedy beamed, Blake figured she had it right on the first try. She quickly went about making the stencil after she’d confirmed the placement on Kennedy’s hip.

Once Kennedy was situated on the chair-turned-table, Blake placed the stencil and made sure everything was ready to go on her end. Since Kennedy wanted it done in black and there wouldn’t be any shading, this would only take a few minutes. A perfect tattoo with a pretty fantastic client to get the day going.

Though the position of the tattoo was right on the bone, Kennedy didn’t make a sound as Blake worked. Since she could see the scars dotting Kennedy’s side and the other parts of her hip, she figured the girl wasn’t new to needles.

Blake let out a breath, letting the buzz of the needle settle over her as she focused. This one had to be perfect…though all of them did, didn’t they?

Before long, she’d finished the last flourish at the edge of the wing to show flight and pulled away, cleaning as she went.

“All done,” she said as she slid a protective coating over the new ink.

Kennedy looked down and blinked. “Really? Already? That hardly hurt.”

Blake smiled. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Let me help you out of the chair so you can see it before I wrap it up.” She went through the aftercare instructions, making sure to repeat anything that seemed confusing.

“I love it,” Kennedy beamed. “Seriously. It’s perfect.”

Blake relaxed, the tension leaking out of her shoulders. “Good. I’m happy you like it. I think the idea you came up with is perfect.” Kennedy met Blake’s eyes, and the other woman teared up. This time, Blake didn’t join her. “I hope you fly, Kennedy, though I think you’re already on your way.”

By the time she’d finished with Kennedy and cleaned her station, she only had a few minutes before her piercing client was due. Though she took walk-ins for ink and piercings, for something as delicate as her next appointment, she preferred to be prepared.

“Dude! I didn’t know you were coming in!” Maya’s voice brought Blake out of her thoughts, and she turned, only to freeze.

In all the tattoo shops, in all the world…

Murphy Gallagher reached down to put his hand over Maya’s belly and smiled that sweet smile of his while the goliath behind him scowled at Blake.

Why the hell was Graham scowling at her now? What had she possibly done to earn his wrath? And would that big beard of his feel sexy as hell scraping along her inner thighs?

And that was enough of that.

“How is my little niece doing?” Murphy said as he cupped Maya’s belly. “Is she going to be like her mom? Because I really hope so. Jake deserves it.”

Jake.

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