Me: I’ll pick you up at 6:30 if that works?
Unknown Number: Great, I’ll be ready. I’ve got the perfect dress.
I have one last thing to do before I get ready for tonight.
“Dude, you never disappoint,”I say, gazing at the fresh ink that adorns my chest, over my heart.
“I’m glad you like it,” the artist says as he cleans up his gun and ink.
I’ve been coming to Mack for months now, but we never really get into the nitty-gritty of life. He creates sick tattoos and never seems to judge my desire for Disney obsessed tats. He looks like your average tattoo artist. Well-worn jeans, work boots, and a t-shirt is the whole entirety of his outfit. Tattoos wrap down both arms and his hair is tousled, definitely too long for a businessman, but it matches the epic beard.
“It’s fucking perfection,” I say, still looking at the words written across my chest in the mirror.
“Good.” He finishes cleaning up his gun and ink, then gestures for me to take a seat in front of him again. He smears cool gel across my tattoo before wrapping it in plastic like always.
“What do I owe you for today?” I ask, pulling out my wallet as we walk to the counter.
“Nothing, put that away, it’s on me. Didn’t even use that much ink. Means something to you, so I’m glad I could make it happen.”
“You sure?”
“Yep.”
“Well, here’s a tip anyhow. Appreciate you fitting me into that busy schedule of yours.” I hand over more money than I need to, but it makes me feel good. You can tell Mack Ruthless is a proud man. Proud, but not easy to trust. Blackhawk is not only his tattoo shop, it’s his way of life. He’s created an old school looking shop that will forever be my go-to for new ink.
Happy with my fresh artwork, I head home.
I pullup to her high-rise building right on time. My stomach is in knots. I don’t want to do this tonight. Make Wynter jealous. What choice do I have? She’s the woman of my dreams and if I don’t make her open her damn eyes, I’ll never get her to see me.
I’m nervous standing outside Kalli’s door. My hands are sweaty, but not from the nerves of taking her with me. The nerves emanate from how tonight will shake down. I need to grow a pair and do what my friend suggested, hoping to hell he’s right, and it doesn’t drive her even farther away from me.
I have one chance to get the girl.One.
Kalli opens the door on the second knock and if I weren’t already in love with Wynter Carlisle, I’d think she was a knockout.
It’s the first time I’ve met Kalli in person. Reece has mentioned her a couple times when we talked, but nothing more than that. She certainly knows how to show up, party, and that’s exactly what I need tonight.
Long blonde hair wraps around her shoulders. Her eyes are lined with black makeup. Red lipstick paints her lips and I cringe because red lipstick will only ever be perfect on one person, Wynter. She’s got on a skin-tight number with gold heels that wrap up around her ankles. If I were remotely interested, I’d ask her out, but I’m not.
“Hello, handsome.”
“Hey, Kalli.” I smile politely, happy that she’s willing to help me. Feeling like a complete tool that it’s come to this…
I’d gotten a haircut and styled my hair. I left the top couple of buttons on my suit open to expose the few tattoos that run across my chest, remembering how Wynter blushes looking at them and giving my fresh ink a little air to breathe.
I clear my throat, my manners coming back to me. “You look stunning.”
“Aren’t you a charmer?” She smiles at me, touching my cheek. Her touch burns, but not in the same way Wynter’s does. It’s physically painful having another woman that isn’t the one I love touching me.
I smile anyhow. “I aim to please. You ready to go?”
She winks. “Yeah, let’s go make that girl fall madly in love with you.”
I roll my eyes when she turns around to lock her door. Slipping her hand under my arm, we head to the elevators.
We take lessthan ten minutes by cab ride to get to the Met.
“So, what’s the Gala supporting tonight?”