Page 86 of Love at First Ink

“Hey, Bossman, how do you feel about me scheduling appointments for the shop? I just got asked that question,” Tiny called from behind him.

“That’s fine. You have my schedule?” he asked, finishing up the final touches of the moon tattoo he was doing.

Tiny scoffed, and although he couldn’t see it, she probably rolled her eyes at him. Right. Dumb question. She managed his schedule and probably had it saved in multiple places.

When he finished with his client, he scooted back on his chair and went to get water from the cooler they brought. It felt good to stretch his back and stand after hunching over another person. He definitely was getting old because, in his early twenties, he could tattoo for an entire day, hunched over someone, and not feel a damn thing.

When he turned back toward his chair, he was no longeralone with Tiny. At the table stood three people, and Marisol stood in the center. Her sister, Lola, was on one side, with her brother-in-law on the other. Her expression confused him. She was smiling, but her eyes were red-rimmed. She had clearly been crying.

Before he could ask, Marisol pushed past her brother-in-law and around the table, going straight for Cisco. He managed to move his legs, meeting her halfway until she collapsed in his arms, clinging to his shirt. She was laughing? No…crying. No…both?

“Princesa?” He rubbed her back soothingly. “What happened? Is something wrong?” He looked past her at Lola and Javi. Lola only offered him a smile as she leaned against her husband.

Her sister didn’t seem concerned, so maybe that was a good thing.

“You gotta tell me what’s going on before I think it’s something I did,” Cisco said.

This time Marisol did laugh as she pulled back just enough to look up into his eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t come here sooner. I had a phone call. And then Antonio needed help setting up the pet area.”

“A phone call?” he asked, raising a brow. “What happened?”

“Oh nothing,” she said coyly, a giggle leaving her lips. She was practically bouncing in his arms. “Just that I’m finally a divorced woman. Archie signed the papers!”

Today was the day when the Roberts family rendered him speechless. But it only lasted for a few seconds before he said, “Fucking finally.” He cupped her face and kissed her with heat. He didn’t care that Tiny or Marisol’s sister and brother-in-law were watching. All that mattered was Marisoland her freedom from Archie.Theirfreedom from that bastard.

Only because he didn’t need Tiny quitting on him today, he forced himself to break the kiss. The radiant smile, one free of all inhibitions, made Marisol the most gorgeous woman he had ever laid eyes on.

“Divorce looks good on you, Princesa,” he hummed, earning himself a giggle.

“It really does. You look so happy, Marisol. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this before,” Lola said.

“Well, I have a lot to be happy for.” Marisol looked straight at Cisco when she spoke.

He fucking loved this woman. More than he ever loved anyone in his life. She was divorced now, but she wouldn’t be a single woman for much longer. Not if he got his way.

“You’re divorced and organized an amazing fundraiser. How does it feel?” Cisco asked, aware that his next client was probably waiting somewhere nearby.

“It is going well, isn’t it?” For the first time, Cisco thought he saw pride for herself shine in her eyes. “Stella has cried twice with how well things are going. She’s already getting excited for next year.”

“Cisco, not to hurry this along, but you’re going to want to take your next client soon. The list isn’t getting any shorter,” Tiny said and then awkwardly waved at Marisol. “Hi. Great fundraiser. Coffee is ten out of ten.”

“Thanks.” Marisol laughed. “I should get going. I want to make sure everything is running smoothly, but I had to see you. I needed you to know. Plus, I missed you.”

“After this, you and I are going to celebrate. I’m thinking a weekend trip. I don’t care where we go as long as it’s just us,” Cisco said.

“Deal,” Marisol said, leaning up to give him one last kiss. “I love you. I’ll stop by when it’s over. You’ll save the last tattoo for me, yeah?”

“Princesa, I will save every tattoo for you. You’re my perfect canvas.” And she was. If he was lucky, then she’d be his final masterpiece.

His greatest love.

Epilogue – 2 Years Later

The pink and red flower arrangement was the only decoration in the house. Despite having the door open all day and multiple people coming in and out, Marisol could still smell the new house scent. The fresh coat of paint and new wood still lingered heavily. She wanted to bottle up this smell and make it into a candle so she always remembered this moment.

Moving into her new house with the love of her life.

As she arranged the flowers, a wistful smile was plastered on her face as a sweaty and shirtless Cisco walked in. Had there ever been a sexier sight? There was something about a sweaty man doing labor that did it for her. She wanted to lick all over his body, tasting the fruits of his labor. Perhaps that was gross, but when you had a tattooed, muscular boyfriend like Cisco, it made sense.

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