“Really, why?”
“Annie is probably losing her shit in there as we speak.” He shakes his head.
“Oh, sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
I nod and move into his office, taking a seat on the leather couch. I glance around the small space, with its dark navy walls, antique gold wet bar, and speakeasy vibe. The art displayed in evenly spaced shadowbox frames matches the tattooed couch in the main room. “I really love your work.”
“Yeah?”
I nod and glance back at him. “You’re ridiculously talented.”
Gabe’s soft chuckle fills the room, and he comes out from behind his desk opposite me and leans against the thick repurposed oak. “Thanks. Do you have any tats?”
“Just one ...” I bite my lip because I’m so embarrassed by the thing, that I invested in that forty-dollar concealer that should come with its own IPL machine for the price of the damn thing. “One I would love to cover up.”
“Ex-boyfriend’s name?”
“Worse.” I grimace. “Ex-boyfriend’s band’s name.”
Gabe cringes. “Oh shit. You didn’t?”
“I did.”
“I never took you for a groupie.”
I sigh. “Not even after I accosted you to avoid Nick the Dick?”
“Right. Then I guess it’s a good thing I risked life and limb to save you from yourself.”
“I guess so. Though, judging by tonight, I may have to save you right back.”
“Maybe.” He chuckles, and his gold eyes dance in the low-lit room. “So, what are you going to cover this blight on your body with?”
“I don’t know. I was thinking of a Tarot card, like the magician.” I shrug. “Maybe that’s stupid?”
“No, I love that. Can I see your tat?”
“Oh, it’s um ... not accessible in this outfit.”
His brows pinch together. “Chest or lower? It’s not a tramp stamp, is it?”
“No, but it is ... lower?” My voice pitches up an octave as I wait for his judgment.
“Seriously?”
“Upper thigh. I was drunk. To be fair, Clem did try to talk me out of it. Nick the Dick made a much more convincing case, and I woke up with his brand on my body.”
“Damn, girl. You got a tattoo you didn’t even want?”
I wrinkle my nose and slowly nod. “For a guy who cheated on me with the first groupie to come along.”
“Well, when you’re ready to get whatyouwant, come see me.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, and I haven’t known Annie all that long, but even I know he’s risking her wrath by offering. “You’re Annie’s friend. That means you’re practically family.”