Page 9 of Love in Beauty

I shrug.

“You could work from anywhere, just fly into Boston for meetings when you need to be in person. Hell, I could even work for the company. I have a degree in marketing.”

“You want to work at the family business?” I never thought he would want a job with the publishing company after all this time. He nods. “Let’s get lunch while Steph and Carmen do the girl stuff and talk. I’d love for you to be working at the company. I know Stephanie didn’t want to even though she is smart, but wants to put her degree to work.”

“Hell, you could have Carmen putting her business degree to work within the company if the salon ever stopped being her calling.” Lucas is right about that little tidbit. Carmen waves us over. “Duty calls, it seems.” We laugh as we walk forward.

“Sebastian, Lucas, I wanted you to meet Nate Sullivan and his wife Laura. Nate owns Cupid’s Arrow, the tattoo shop, and Laura is the principal of the elementary school.” We shake hands. “Lucas is Stephanie’s husband and Sebastian is my—”

“Boyfriend.” I finish her sentence for her. She smiles up at me.

“I was getting there, but he likes to say it first.” She shakes her head.

“It’s a male possessive thing,” Laura comments. “Nate does it too. If he had his way, ‘Nate Sullivan’s woman’ would be tattooed everywhere all over my body.” Carmen laughs.

“Now that you say that out loud, it’s not a bad idea.” Nate shrugs. “But I don’t tattoo names of significant others on bodies. Bad idea folks; don’t do it. I’ve done more coverups than actual real tattoo pieces in that regard. Speaking of real tattoo pieces, when do I get to tattoo you, Miss Carmen?”

Carmen blushes.

“When I get up the nerve to do it. Can I come in knocked out if I sign all the forms?” We laugh.

“I’ll go with you!” Stephanie pipes up first. “We should totally get matching BFF tatts.” Nate groans playfully at Carmen. They seem to have a wonderful friendship.

“I didn’t say anything.” She holds her hands up in defense with a big smile on her face as Laura’s laughter takes over. “Nate has an ongoing tally of BFF tattoos. It’s one of the number one requests, especially from tourists. He gets the BFF tattoos and I get the ‘I want something daring since I’m on vacation look’ which is usually turning their hair from a dark color to a light color then dying it to pink or blue. So far, I’m winning that one, right?” She pokes his arm.

“Don’t remind me. Christmas I thought I had you beat, then those four freshman girls came in to your salon instead of my shop.”

“You snooze you lose, Sullivan,” Carmen teases. “We better get going before the mayor thinks we’re skipping out on this dance, and he’ll lecture us like we’re his kids.” We laugh as we step into the scene of red, white, and pink everything.

“Come dance with me, Carmen.” I hold my hand out to her and we talk to the dance floor, where we spend most of the night. We’re laughing, drinking, dancing, and enjoying each other, plus the entire town. Who knew small town life could be fun and not so boring?

chaptereleven

Carmen

I’ve neverin my entire life felt more special than I do right now. If my pai could see me now dancing with a man who I’m falling in love with and planning a future with, he’d be so happy.

“Why are you frowning?” Stephanie massages between my eyebrows. “You keep frowning or scowling. You’re going to get lines. Maybe your face will freeze like that.” I stick my tongue out at her while relaxing my face.

“I was thinking about Pai and wishing he could meet Sebastian. I think he’d be happy with my choice in guys.” I sigh, bringing my Jack and Coke to my lips.

“He’d have loved him. If anything he taught you, enjoy the Cupid’s bow.” I smile at her, and we laugh together. “I’m happy my brother found you, and if he hurts you, I’ll kill him.” We hug, walking back to our men.

“I’m ready to get out of here,” I tell the group. Sebastian pulls me onto his lap and nuzzles my hair.

“Yes, please.” He smiles, thinking the same thing I am. Stephanie and Lucas head off toward where they’re staying while Sebastian and I walk hand in hand back to my apartment. “It’s a chilly night.”

“But it’s a gorgeous night where the stars are shining bright tonight. Not a cloud in the sky.” I lay my head on his shoulder. He kisses the top of my head. We’re silent for a few moments. “What happens after next week?” I ask. My voice is quiet, afraid to ask the one question hanging over our heads because the unknown answer could devastate me.

“I don’t know one hundred percent, but I know that I’m looking into flights back and forth. My schedule is a bit more flexible than yours for travel. I can work from anywhere while you have a business here. I don’t want to end what we have.” His tone is serious.

“Would you move here for me?” I ask.

“No. I’d move here for us and our future. Love at first sight is rare, and this between is not just physical. You feel it too, don’t you?”

“I do and it scares me but calms me if that makes any sense.” I shake my head.

“Scares you because it could all be a dream and we’re waking up tomorrow in our own beds?” I stop outside one business down from my salon. I turn to face him.

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