Page 78 of My Promise To Keep

Zoe

‘Zoe, hey.’

Fi greets me with a huge, beaming smile as I enter the shop. I greet her warmly, but I’m eager to see Leo after two weeks apart.

Glancing around the shop, I realize with some disappointment that I don’t see him, and my shoulders drop until strong arms wrap around my waist from behind, and an all too familiar scent fills my nostrils.

I feel my whole body relax and turn in his hold to wrap my arms around his neck.

‘Oh my god, y’all are adorable,’ Fi sighs as she walks away into the shop, and Gus, who must have come in with Leo, follows her.

‘Where were you?’ I ask between light kisses.

‘Gus had to take his car to the shop. I gave him a ride back here.’

I nod, understanding but not actually caring. I have my man in my arms, and that’s all that matters.

‘Maybe we could just use this appointment time to go upstairs instead,’ I say softly, and he laughs.

‘Not a chance, munch.’ He gently pushes me away, tapping my ass so he can head behind the desk.

I’m getting tattooed today — the thigh tattoo I was supposed to get weeks ago. This is the third attempt, but we kept ending up naked and sweaty, so he booked me in again. Leo loves sex, but he really loves tattooing, and he is determined to give me something new, so he’s doing it out here in the shop with Fi, Gus, Shelby the piercer, and all their customers right here to witness.

I realize I’m pouting when Leo smiles and walks around to pinch my bottom lip.

‘I’ll take care of you later, baby, I promise.’

Clients come and go over the hours I’m sitting in Leo’s chair. We talk and laugh. Gus and Fi regularly come to admire the piece Leo is working on, and it’s everything I love about being in a tattoo shop. They respect each other, and they respect the people in their chairs. Everyone is welcome, and it’s fun and happy — you can feel the love for what they do. Sometimes, clients are nervous, they’re afraid of needles, or it’s their first tattoo, and they don’t know what to expect. I watch as Fi puts them at ease and gets them settled with a drink in their hand and a smile on their face.

‘You doin’ okay?’ Leo checks in, and I nod.

‘You’ve created something pretty special here, Leo.’

He smiles softly. He’s so proud of his shop, and I’m so proud of him. My mind wanders to the future, and I try to pull it back. I’ve been avoiding those thoughts because they scare me. I live in Forest Falls, my business is there, and my whole life is there. We’re making it work right now because it’s new and exciting, but as we get more serious, what happens — what’s the next step? We get married but live and work in separate places? Have kids, but he’s always an hour away?

‘Where are you right now?’

‘Huh?’ I blink up at Leo, who has stopped tattooing and is smiling down at me softly.

‘Munch, you okay?’

‘Yeah, I’m fine.’ I smile, but he looks worried. ‘Leo, I’m good. I just got lost in my thoughts.’

‘You want to stop?’

I shake my head, no. ‘I could use some water, though.’

Leo puts down his machine, leans in to kiss my head and, takes off his gloves, then walks away.Don’t let your thoughts ruin everything, Zoe. It’ll all work out. I hope.

‘Oh my god.’ Bree’seyes widen as she takes in the huge tattoo covering the front of my left thigh.

‘I know. It’s so beautiful.’

‘No, Zoe, that’s not why I’m blaspheming.’

I chuckle but sit, with confusion pinching my brows.

‘Zo, it’s a lioness.’ I nod. I know that. ‘He,Leo, gaveyoua lioness. Do you not see the significance of that?’

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