Leah smiles at me and shakes her head yes. “So much, you don’t even know,” she pleads with a smile.
“So, I was wondering if you would please consider coming with us. We have the space, and I would feel better knowing Leah won’t be spending too much time alone. Besides, she needs her maid-of-honor to get these wedding plans rolling. I plan to make an honest woman out of her sooner than later,” Brent tries to convince me.
I watch him closely for any signs that Leah might have put him up to this. He seems sincere. I don’t say anything so he continues.
“You’re like a sister…to both of us. We want you to come with us. Please say you will.”
I can feel the tears that are wetting my cheeks. “I—I don’t know what to say.”
“Say that you’ll come. We can all use a fresh start. I even kinda sorta may have a job for you, or at least a lead,” he tells me, batting his eyelashes.
“What?” Leah turns to face him. “What about me? I need a job,” she huffs.
“You, my future wife, have a wedding to plan; then work, unless I can convince you to start having my babies,” he says as he wags his eyebrows at her.
Leah’s smile lights up her face. Instead of the anger she was trying to portray just seconds ago, she’s now putty in his hands. She leans in and kisses him on the cheek.
“What kind of job?” I ask, trying to let the idea really sink in.
“Well, I may have mentioned to my new office manager that my fiancée and her best friend would be coming with me.” He winks at me. I just shake my head and smile.
“She asked what each of you did, and she said she may have a job lead for you. Her sister works for the city of Murfreesboro, not sure in what capacity, but she said they are looking for a public relations person. Someone who can help represent all areas of the city such as police, fire, and even the hospital in some cases.”
“Wow, that actually sounds kind of perfect,” I say.
“Well, then say you’ll come with us, please, Tatum,” Leah pleads. “I need you with me to plan this wedding.” She lightly elbows Brent. “It also sounds like I may need a sitter in the very near future,” she says, laughing.
“Yeah, Leah, please…wait…what? D—did you just…?” Brent stutters unable to form a sentence.
Leah smiles and shakes her head. “Hell yeah!” Brent rejoices as he devours her in an all-consuming kiss.
I can feel the grin spread across my face. I’m so happy for both of them. They are starting their lives together.
We can all use a fresh start. I think about going back to that house and being here all alone. I think about Josh and running into him. The life Brent has painted has much more appeal. I think a fresh start is what I need. Am I making a rash decision based on emotion? Maybe, but I will have my two best friends with me. How many people get the chance to start over and have people they know and love come along for the ride?
The lovebirds finally come up for air and smile at me. Neither one the least bit embarrassed of that fact I witnessed such a personal life changing decision between them. “When do we leave?” I ask.
“Really?” Leah jumps off the love seat and tackles me. “Holy shit, this is great. Thank you so much. I can’t believe you said yes.”
Brent joins us and wraps his arms around both of us. “To new beginnings,” he cheers and we all laugh.
I pull into the lot of Self Expressions; I see that Asher and Ember are already here. Today is the day that we give our baby sister her first tattoo. Ember has been bugging the hell out of us since she turned eighteen to ink her. We told her as soon as she found something she was sure she wanted on her body for the rest of her life that we would be more than happy to do the work. Asher and I have seen so many people come through our doors with spur of the moment tattoos. We spend just as much time doing cover-ups as we do first timers.
Asher and I opened Self Expressions about six years ago. As soon as we graduated high school, we trained at the academy to become volunteers on the department. We worked our asses off and saved every damn penny to see our dream take shape. Here we are six years later with a thriving business.
As soon as I walk in the shop, I see Ember bouncing on a stool at the reception desk. Today is Sunday and we’re closed, so it’ll just be the three of us.
“About damn time you got here; let’s do this,” Ember singsongs.
I smile at her; I can’t help it. Her enthusiasm is infectious. She has been waiting for this for the last four years. “All right, sis, what are we doing?” I ask her.
“Here,” she hands Asher and I both a piece of paper, “I want one from each of you.” She smiles sweetly.
I open the folded piece of paper and read, “Every journey begins with a single step.” I look up at Ember; she’s biting down on her smile. “I want that one on the outside of my right foot,” she tells me.
We both turn to face Asher; he opens his folded piece of paper and reads aloud, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” He looks up at Ember.
Eyes sparkling, she says, “I want that one here, on my left side.” She points to the middle of her torso, right over her rib cage.
“You sure about this, Ember?” Asher questions. “This is permanent,” he reminds her.
“Ugh! Yes! I. Am. Sure. I’ve had four long years to decide what I want. I want this, no regrets,” she says, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“Well, all right then. Let’s do the foot first. Hop up in the chair,” I tell her, trying like hell not to laugh at how excited she is. It’s the little things.
“EEEKK!” she says as she skips to the chair and wiggles out of her flip-flops.
I sit down on my stool and sheath my hands in my gloves before preparing my gun and ink. “Ready?” I ask her.
“Yepper,” she replies.
I shake my head and smile. “So, how’s the apartment?” I ask her as my needle touches her skin. She winces, but stays still
“It’s amazing. I still get lonely at times, but I love being on my own. No worries, big brother,” she tells me her voice quivering.
I pull back my gun and watch her as she bites her lip. Asher and I tried to warn her. Instead of I told you so I say “Good. You know if you need anything, you can come to us, right?” I know I don’t need to remind her, but really I want to. It’s for my peace of mind as much as it is hers.
“Yes, Blaise. I’m fine, really,” she says.
“So when are you able to get into your classroom?” I ask as I place the needle back against her skin.
“Mrs. Smith asked if I would come and help her clean out. Since she is retiring, she is leaving most of her materials for me,” she replies, excitement in her voice.
“Don’t move, silly girl,” I laugh.
“Oops, sorry. I’m just excited I’m finally starting my career, living on my own, and getting my ink. Life is good.” She says through clenched teeth.
“Well, if you keep wiggling around, your ink is going to look like one of your students did it,” Asher chuckles from across the room.
“I know, sorry. I’m just so excited and it’s a little uncomfortable,” she mumbles.
“All right, you’re all set. Asher has his station set up for your other one,” I tell her as I hold a mirror out beside her foot so she can get a good look at it.