Page 106 of Feverburn

“Stop!”I said, looking at Carson before I crumbled into sobs.“Are you for real?”

He wrapped me in his arms, resting his chin on my head.“Yes, I’m for real. It would be best if you tattooed again. Even if it’s just for fun.”

I sniffled, pulling up from his chest to look at the mural again. Kaylee walked closer, upturning the vase she made when apologizing to me for the whole Tyler shitshow. It survived the fire, and the quote on the bottom still clearly read,the only prick you should tolerate is a thorn from a rose.She held it between us, both our eyes cast downwards.

“This quote popped into my head when I made this for you. Now I know why. I had no clue you were a tattoo artist, and your studio in Boston was named Pricked by a Rose.” She blinked slowly, pleased with the synchronicity.

I sniffled, “Yeah, you’re psychic as fuck.”

Everyone chuckled at that as we smiled at each other, eyes glistening. We were meant to be friends; we still had so muchlove, even after all this turmoil. Without saying a word, she smiled deeper, affirming the sentiment.

She continued, “My friend Maisie did some sleuthing for me and found your portfolio and several magazine articles you were in. Your work isincredible. We all agree. You need to share yourgiftwith the world again.”

“My buddy back in Boston recommended this chair and all this,”Dane gestured to the supplies they had set up.

“Thank you, Dane,”I dabbed at my eyes.“It’sperfect.”I hadn’t talked to him since the engagement party, but I heard he drove the getaway car when I collapsed. I was glad no apology was necessary and that we moved on.

Carson gestured to the room, “Everything has been arriving at the store for weeks. Before you got home from the hospital, I put everything into place, like moving you out and painting the mural when possible. I even broke down and asked for help.”That last part made his family snicker.

Markos added,“If he’s going to have a work-life balance, he needs to hire someone to help, even if it’s not Harley. Hold him to it.”

Harley nodded,“Break tradition but keep the store going. It’s what’sbest.”

Maxine walked closer, grabbing my hands and glancing at my engagement ring.“I am so glad you’re here with us. I couldn’t be happier.”She pulled me in for a quick hug.

Frankie cleared her throat,“This place is yours. We will make it allofficial. I want you to have the space.”

“Thank you, but that’s toogenerous.”

“We have one condition!”Meg interjected, her eyebrows shooting up over her glasses.

Frankie bobbed her head in agreement,“That’s right. Please don’t keep big secrets from us. We’re your family now, and we allloveyou. Oh, and we wantfreetattoos for life.”Her face lifted in amischievoussmile.

“Deal! Thank you.” I looked around at everyone.“For everything. I never had a big family, so this feels nice. Even if I’m scared shitless to start tattooing again.”

I walked around, checking out the rest of the loft while they chattered. They hung some posters of full-back pieces I had done for clients. They must’ve found them when they moved my stuff. I wasn’t mad. If anything, I felt cherished.

Dane, Azalea, and Noah came over to hug me, excusing themselves to go back to the festival. Meg and Frankie shortly after.

Carson chatted up Harley, Maxine, and Kaylee as Markos came and stood by me in front of the mural. He was calm and kind, like his sons.“You know, Rosie, I knew the second I saw you that you were the woman for Carson.”

I turned my head to catch a sheepish grin spread on his face.“You did?”

He nodded.“Yeah, I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to impose, but I could see it. Sometimes, I have a sense of things, a knowing. You’re, hmmm,”he pursed his lips in consideration,“you’re a breath of fresh air in his life and even in this building, this town. We needed you, and I’m glad you’re staying.”He pulled me in for a side hug.

“Thank you, me too.”

Everyone else cleared out, leaving Carson and me alone. He cleared his throat. “I have a tattoo I’d like.”

I was a little shocked. He never acted interested in body art.“What did you have in mind?”

He grabbed my hand, brushing a thumb and akissacross the rune on my ring finger.“Can we match?”

“They say matching tattoos are acurseto a relationship,”I jested.

He cracked a smile, rolling his eyes.“Been there. Done that.”

I yanked him to the chair, setting to work.“Are you sure you don’t want to wait until after the wedding? I might be out of practice.”

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