Page 86 of Finally Mine
“I wanted a permanent mark that I chose,” she said softly.
Aldo’s chest swelled with pride and repressed rage. He brushed his thumb over the scar.
“I wanted to take something ugly and make it beautiful,” she said.
“There isn’t anything on or about you that’s ugly, Gloria.”
She let out a breath. “So, how bad is it going to hurt, Mr. Tattoos All Over My Body?”
“Notallover,” he teased. “With everything you’ve been through? Walk in the park,” he promised her.
She nodded, looking slightly less nervous. “Good. Okay. I can totally do this.”
Aldo plopped down on the second rolling stool and wheeled it over to her chair. “I’ll hold your hand,” he offered.
She laced her fingers with his. “This is the weirdest first date.”
“I’ll take you out to dinner after,” he offered.
“Let’s see if I barf all over this poor guy first.”
“Are you nervous?” He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Terrified. I’ve neverchosenpain before.”
He brought her hand to his mouth and laid his lips on her knuckles. “It’s different when you choose it.”
“So, I’m not crazy for doing this?” Her eyes, wide and amber, pleaded.
“Not even close.” He nodded to the exposed ink on his forearm where his shirt sleeve was rolled up. “Of course, I might be biased.”
“I like your tattoos,” Gloria confessed.
“And you’re going to like yours, too.”
“Okay, Gloria,” Curtis said stepping into the room. “I’ve got your stencil here. Let’s get started.”
* * *
She heldhis hand in a tight grip but kept her eyes on the ink going on her skin. A tiny flock of birds in flight.
Simple. Classy. Meaningful.
She didn’t have to tell Aldo what it represented. He knew. Freedom. Soaring. As Curtis worked his way up the sliver of scar, Gloria’s smile got wider. As predicted, the pain was minimal compared to what she’d already endured.
Pride rose up in his chest, swift and fierce.
Aldo couldn’t help it. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek. She dragged her gaze away from the work and focused on him. “Do you like it?” she asked shyly.
“Do you?” he countered.
She glanced back down at where the needle pressed into her skin. “Yeah. I love it.”
“It’s perfect,” he told her. “I kind of want it.”
Gloria laughed.
“I’ve got time,” Curtis said without lifting his head from the subtle shading he was adding to a bird wing.
