Page 34 of Love at First Ink

Alice wrote something down in her notebook. “And what do you think about volunteering?”

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Marisol replied honestly. She had forgotten about the interaction until this moment. “Why?”

“Well, to me it sounds like something you’d excel at.”

“Why?” she asked again, unable to hide her confusion.

“Because it highlights your strength.” Alice must have noticed the confusion written across Marisol’s face because she added, “There’s a lot of organization and planning that goes into volunteering. Those are two things you excel at. You’ve also been wanting to meet new people with similar interests asyou who aren’t part of your parents’ crowd. Well, I can’t think of a better start than the people you volunteer with.”

“So, you think I should volunteer?” Marisol raised a brow. She had not been expecting to talk about this. Hell, she didn’t even consider it, but now the thought had bloomed.

“That’s a decision you need to make, but I think it could be a good way to spend your days. The last time you did something out of your comfort zone, you got asked out on a date by a guy you are clearly connecting with. This might be another good opportunity for you. At the very least, it would give you an excuse for when your mother calls for some last-minute ‘favor.’”

Once again, Alice provided a perspective she hadn’t thought about. Marisol was never good on the spot, and when her mother randomly called for a favor, she had a hard time saying no. Partially because she couldn’t come up with an excuse, and partially because she didn’t want to disappoint her.

It seemed like a selfish reason to start volunteering, but she couldn’t bring herself to feel bad about it.

“I’ll think about it,” she said, falling back on her go-to answer. Commitment was just too…final.

Alice nodded encouragingly. “Have you heard from your mother recently?”

Marisol shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Slowly, she shook her head. “No, it’s been more than a week since I last heard from her.” She hated talking about her mother. Her mother was like Beetlejuice. Say her name three times, and she would be summoned. She didn’t like hearing from her, but it was worse when she didn’t hear from her. It made her anxiety spike. It was a lose-lose situation.

“Do you think she’s getting the sense you are no longerinterested in giving in to her demands?” Alice asked, not unkindly.

Once again, Marisol shrugged. If her mother saw her now, she would chastise Marisol for her rudeness. “No. I’m sure she’s busy, and I’ll hear from her soon.” Sounded like a problem for a future Marisol.

Alice poked around at the subject for a little while longer, but Marisol wasn’t receptive to her probing. Call it avoidance, but these last few days, Marisol had experienced levels of peace and joy she wasn’t accustomed to. She was unwilling to give that up.

The remainder of the session passed quickly, with neither of them bringing up the topic of her mother again. However, Alice took a moment to reinforce her suggestion of Marisol volunteering, believing it could be a positive experience for her. Though unsure, Marisol assured Alice she would think about it.

“That’s all the time we have today, Marisol. Did you need to schedule another meeting this week, or would our scheduled meeting for next week suffice?” Alice asked, pushing off her chair.

Marisol followed in pursuit. “Next week should be fine.”

Alice took the lead, opening the door to the waiting room for her, and immediately stopped in her tracks. “Oh.” Her eyes widened. “Cisco, was I expecting you today? I don’t remember seeing you on my calendar.”

A deep voice that filled her body with butterflies replied, “You weren’t. I’m waiting on her.”

Marisol rounded the corner to see Cisco, dressed in his usual black jeans and a button-up black shirt. Matching blacks. It was a small detail, but an important one. From here, she could smell his cologne. It wasn’t overpowering, just a lightearthy smell she had come to really like. Sitting next to him was Tiny, his cousin and the teenager who ran the front desk at his tattoo shop.

“Oh, I see.” Alice smiled, winking at Marisol. She felt like a teenager getting picked up at home by the boy she liked. It was…nice. Odd, but nice. “You two have a good rest of your day. I’m going to meet my daughter for lunch.” She beamed before closing the door behind Marisol, leaving them alone in the waiting room.

Cisco looked Marisol over before meeting her gaze. He smiled, both flirty and sweet. “All black after just adopting a white cat? Brave move, Princesa.”

“You’re one to talk,” she quipped.

“I only look good in black,” he said, though she seriously doubted it.

“It’s true. Otherwise, he’s ten times uglier,” piped up Tiny. Cisco shot her the finger, but Tiny just shot it back. Both of them grinned at each other, the love and playfulness for one another evident.

“Can I have your keys?”

“Hmm?” Marisol asked.

“Your keys, Princesa. For your car. Remember, I’m taking you out?” He ignored the fake gagging from Tiny.

Right. Keys. Date.Marisol searched through her purse before handing them out. Instead of Cisco taking them, Tiny grabbed them. The girl was obviously old enough to drive, but that didn’t ease Marisol’s nervousness about giving her keys over to a teen driver.

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