I held up a hand. “No worries. Champ has already shared your entire vision with me.”
“He did?” Riggs’s eyes widened. “But—”
“I admit the initial planning was a bit challenging, though.” I beamed and leaned toward him confidingly. “First tattoo ceremony.”
“First…?” Riggs shot Carter a nervous look. “No, I think there must’ve been a misunderstanding. I already have a tattoo. Several, in fact.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean your first, Mr. Riggs.” I laughed indulgently. “Obviously. I meant, the first time I’d be in charge of planning a ceremony where one groom”—I extended a hand toward Carter—“would tattoo the other in front of the guests.” I shifted my hand toward Riggs.
Riggs’s mouth fell open. So did Carter’s, but his eyes lit with unholy glee too.
“You look surprised, but I assure you, it’s true. Tattoo weddings are a rarity in Tennessee.” I shook my head. “I can’t imagine why, though! This is the twenty-first century, and neck tattoos are quite accepted. Not to mention, Dr. Carter is a medical professional and probably quite steady-handed.”
“Steady…” Riggs paled and swallowed. “Aren’t there laws about that?”
“You’d think, but no!” I lied. In point of fact, I was confident there were tons of regulations prohibiting the whole thing… but it seemed Mr. Riggs didn’t know that.
I opened up the binder from Posy Martinez’s second wedding—to a heavily tatted, fifty-something rock star—and pointed triumphantly to the enormous tattoo on the groom’s neck.
Carter’s eyes flew to mine in confusion, and I tilted my head significantly. He grinned.
“Is that a…” Riggs squinted. “A platypus giving birth?”
“Nonsense. It’s a fierce dragon breathing fire,” I said with dignity. I paused and pursed my lips, staring at the bright green blob. “It’s the best she could do, given the awkward angle. And anyway, it’s the thought that counts, isn’t it, Dr. Rogers?”
Carter clapped a hand to his mouth, but an evil snicker escaped anyway. “Oh, yes, Mr. Taffet. I couldn’t agree more.”
I began to hand him the Sharpie I’d swiped from the supply shelf. “Why don’t you do a practice version now?” I suggested, flicking my fingers toward Riggs’s neck. “I’ll take a picture of this first attempt for your wedding scrapbook.”
“Actually.” Riggs made a choking noise and grabbed for the marker. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
I ignored him and slapped the marker in Carter’s outstretched palm. “Don’t be afraid to go bigger than you think,” I advised. “You want your design to be visible from a distance. Were you thinking of a unicorn, perhaps?”
Carter tapped the marker against his lips. “I was thinking… capybara? But I could just go with letters. Property of Carter Rogers has a ring to it. Does ‘property’ have one i or two?”
I laughed. Carter’s eyes twinkled at me.
Riggs did not seem to find us funny.
He stood and planted himself behind his chair. “You know, I think it’s important to remember that we don’t need to decide everything today—”
“No, of course not. That’s why you’ll rehearse.” I smiled benevolently.
“Remember it’s for Champ.” Carter wiggled his eyebrows and beckoned Riggs closer. “You can’t say no, baby. You owe him.”
“Don’t be nervous. Sit down, Mr. Rogers,” I instructed.
“Mr. Riggs,” he corrected, eyeing the marker in Carter’s hand mistrustfully.
“But.” I cocked my head, all innocence. “I thought Champ said you’d be taking Dr. Rogers’s name?”
“Well, yeah, I will eventually,” he agreed distractedly, though his full attention remained on the marker Carter held. “Carter, baby, let’s not be hasty. Remember that big Thicket dance thing is coming up. Remember revenge is beneath you, okay?”
“Wait.” Carter blinked, and his smile fell away. “Are you serious?” he whispered.
“Uh.” Riggs looked confused. “Serious about the SnoBall? Or about not letting you at me with that marker? Because I’m pretty sure I’m serious about both.”
Carter’s eyes went shiny. “Riggs.”
“Ah, shit.” Riggs sat back down and took Carter’s hand. “Don’t be upset, baby. If it’ll make you feel better, go ahead and ink me. It’ll wash off. I think.” He leaned toward Carter and tilted his head back, literally exposing his jugular.
And yeah, okay, my shriveled, pragmatic, unromantic little heart maybe grew three sizes at the gesture.
“I meant taking my name,” Carter said softly. “Were you serious about that?”
“Oh, that.” Riggs straightened in his chair. “Yeah, of course. I’d love for us to have the same name once we’re married. I mean, you’ve already made me part of your ridiculous family, right?”
Carter nodded.
Riggs shrugged. “I wanna share everything with you.”
“Really?”
“Baby.” Riggs shook his head. “After all we’ve been through, how could you doubt it? I want to be with you forever, Carter Rogers.”
Carter bit his lip. Then he stood, threw the marker so that it landed close to Hercules, and launched himself into Riggs’s arms to kiss him passionately.
I rolled my eyes at the dog. Herc sighed in reply.
They really were a cute couple. Riggs just needed to get better friends.