Page 50 of Tattoo My Heart
I pretend to check the calendar on my desktop.
“I am busy tonight, Mick,” I tell her. “But I’ll be here tomorrow morning. I have a ton of paperwork to do,” I explain. “If you get here before your first appointment, I’d love to take a look.”
Doing administrative work is the devil, so that’ll break the day up nicely, I decide.
“I heard you’re in between girls, so I am asking you out, Cal,” Micki informs me in an amused tone. “I was trying to be subtle, but you don’t seem to get it.”
The grin taking over my face is instant. I like Micki. I like her a lot. But not like that.
“Micki.”
I stand up and walk toward her. I don’t miss the way James is clearing his throat loudly, as if he is sending me messages of distress. I know what he’s trying to tell me, and I love fucking with him.
I open my arms and pull Micki into a big hug.
“I like you a lot, Micki,” I tell her and kiss the top of her head. “But…”
“Oh, damn,” she sighs. “It’s a no, huh?”
“It is,” I confirm and take a step back.
“Oh, well,” she shrugs. “I tried.” She winks at me and turns to leave. “I do have new designs I want to show you though,” she throws over her shoulder.
“I’d love to check them out,” I assure her. “During business hours.”
Her laugh echoes down the hallway as she walks away from my office. When I turn to get back in my chair at the desk, I catch the sight of James just staring at me.
“Problem?”
He lets out a long puff of air. “I was nervous there for a second.” He pulls at the collar of his white t-shirt. “I’ve never been in this type of situation. I don’t want Carrie to kick my ass.”
“What did you think I was gonna do? Just go out with her?” I sound incredulous only because I am. I can’t believe one of my closest friends would think I’d double time Evie right under their nose.
“How am I supposed to know anymore?” James deadpans. “I didn’t think you were gonna hook up with Evie either!”
For some reason, his words annoy the shit out of me.
“I didn’t just hook up with Evie. Stop saying that.”
I drop back in the chair at my desk, lean back and hook my hands behind my head. I stare at my friend, and he stares back at me, neither one of us willing to comment any further on the subject.
“You know,” he finally opens his mouth to say. “You never got me that dress for Carrie.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. “What dress?”
“The other day, when I was supposed to go to Evie’s to get that dress for Carrie,” he reminds me.
My eyes go to the computer and check the time. Evie should be done at her shop by now since it’s later in the afternoon.
“I’ll go get it for you.” I jump out of my seat, grab my keys and walk out.
“It’s not for me, asshole,” James calls after me, not even trying to keep up with me. The amusement is obvious in his voice, so I throw my middle finger up even though he can’t see me.
Just as I step out of the building, my phone rings. It’s Ray from the body shop.
“Hey, man, how’s it going?”
He gets right to the point. “Your Jeep needs a part changed. I ordered it, but it’s taking a little longer than expected to receive it. So you can drive my truck for a couple more days if you’re good with it.”
