Page 45 of Date with Destiny

Our drinks arrive and I take in his tattoo sleeve as he takes a sip. There’s a bird flying through clouds, as a sun fights to break through. It’s kind of hypnotizing.

‘How many do you have?’ I ask before I can help myself. He glances over and sees me studying his arm.

‘About fifty.’

‘That many?’ I am amazed. ‘Doesn’t it hurt?’

‘Not really,’ he shrugs, then smiles. ‘At least, that’s what you’re meant to say.’ He laughs. ‘Some of themreallyhurt. I have one on my armpit thatkilled. Even the tattoo artist told me to get it together.’ He glances over, his eyes scanning me. ‘Do you have any?’

‘I have such a low pain threshold,’ I admit, shaking my head. ‘I’m too much of a wimp.’

‘I don’t believe that,’ he says nicely.

I take a swig of my Fuzzy Navel and immediately regret it. It’s sickly sweet.

‘Yuck,’ I declare and he nods.

‘Disgusting, isn’t it?’ He takes a longer sip, smacking his lips joyfully.

‘Did you design them all?’ I ask, still fascinated. He nods, looking halfway between bashful and proud. ‘They’re beautiful,’ I breathe, instinctively reaching to touch the bird on his arm, and then remembering myself. ‘What else do you have?’

He looks down, thinking for a minute. ‘There are a few more birds, a dragonfly, a lot of flowers. I’ve got sunflowers on my other arm.’ He twists on his stool to show me the distinctive spiky petals covering his bicep. He flexes it and the sunflower moves like it’s alive. ‘I like nature,’ he continues. ‘Which I know is a bit middle-aged of me, but I’ve always loved being outside. So I have a lot of animals and wildlife. I have a butterfly on my sternum. They’re supposed to symbolize transformation and growth. It reminds me to keep trying to be a better person.’

‘Do you need to be a better person?’ I ask teasingly and he regards me seriously.

‘Of course.’ His tone is serious. ‘I think it’s really important that we keep an eye on ourselves. It’s too easy – especially as we get older – to decide we are who we are, and that people should just accept us. Obviously I’m not talking about physical flaws or stuff we can’t change. I just mean, I’ve known a lot of people who refuse to ever be introspective. They say,“I’m too old to change now, like it or lump it!” as some kind of excuse to be an arsehole! We can all change. None of us ever have to stop growing.’

‘That’s very wise,’ I say quietly, thinking about the things I want to change about myself. ‘I can’t see any in colour, are there any?’

He pauses, before giving me a small smile. ‘Just one.’ I blush as he slowly lifts his shirt up. My breath catches in my chest as I glimpse toned muscle.

‘Shit,’ he drops the shirt and my stomach clenches with disappointment. ‘It’s them!’ He gestures towards the door, where Joey has just walked in, a pretty woman at his side. Hannah! I’d almost forgotten why we’re here. As they approach check-in, I see Joey’s eyes widen with panic as he takes in a distinct lack of plants.

‘Damn, what are we going to do?’ Zach asks desperately.

‘You were the one telling me not to worry!’ I scold, downing my drink in one.

‘That was before I realized how much there was to worry about.’ He regards my empty glass admiringly. ‘So… any ideas?’

‘I’m going to live in the moment,’ I mutter to myself.

‘Huh?’ he frowns.

‘Never mind,’ I say breezily. ‘Come with me!’ I slip my hand into his and, channelling every spy movie I’ve ever seen, cross the foyer with confidence. ‘Joey!’ I call out happily when I get closer to the couple. He turns in surprise, paling almost indiscernibly when he sees me and Zachapproach. ‘Dude!’ I add, ‘I haven’t seen you in forever! How are things?’

‘Er, good,’ he chokes out, no idea what I’m doing.

‘You must be Hannah,’ I say smiling, turning to her and offering my hand. ‘Joey and I used to work together a million years ago. I’m Ginny, this is my husband, Zach.’ Hannah smiles back politely. ‘Well,’ I say grandly. ‘I won’t interrupt, I can see you’re checking in. I just wanted to say hi.’ At this, I reach to give Joey a hug. ‘So nice to see you! We should have a catch-up with all the old gang sometime.’ He nods dumbly as I add brightly, ‘Have a lovely time! It’s a beautiful hotel, we’ve had a great time.’ I glance at Zach who is watching me with a smile.

‘We really have,’ he agrees, still looking at me.

As we walk away, Zach squeezes my hand. ‘What the hell just happened?’ he hisses and I grin up at him.

‘I put the ring in Joey’s jacket pocket,’ I explain. Zach snorts at this, sneaking a glance back at the soon-to-be-engaged pair. They’re at the front desk now and Joey shoots us a look, subtly patting his pocket and giving a discreet thumbs-up. He is radiating excitement and relief.

Zach drops my hand as we leave the building, and I’m too buzzy with the thrill of our first experience as real, proper engagement spies to notice how cold my hand feels without it.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

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