Page 77 of The Baby Bargain
They flirt for two hours straight. Hug goodbye. Part.
She waits until he leaves. Comes to me. Studies my sketch.
It's nonsense at the moment. Doodles. A ripped heart stitched together in different styles.
Water color.
Classic line art.
Modern comic book.
Classic comic book—the stuff with the shaded dots.
Greyscale.
Her fingers brush the pages. "Those are perfect."
"You want one?"
"No." She wraps her arms around her chest, suddenly shy. "I, um, I'm scared of needles."
"It's not as bad as it looks."
She shakes her headit is too. "Yours are nice though. I always… I always thought they were sexy." Her cheeks flush. "I mean, they are. Right now." Her fingers brush my forearm. They trace the lines of a black and grey rose. "I like the pop art look. But this is more you."
"Should I get it right here?" I press my palm to my chest.
Her eyes go to the exposed skin between my t-shirt and my neck. "Definitely."
"Advertise my broken status to the world?"
"Show you believe you'll heal yourself."
I'm not sure about that, but it's a nice idea.
She offers her hand. "Walk me home?"
"Of course."
I pack my bag, take her hand, follow her out of the coffee shop.
We make small talk for a while. Dance around the only question that matters.
Finally, we approach her place.
Maybe I should wait, give her space, but I have to ask. "What do you think?"
"Hmm?" She turns her attention to the sidewalk. Moves with shaky steps.
"About the guys?"
"Oh."
"Is one of them Mr. Right?"
"I, uh… I have thought about that."
"Yeah?" I ask.
