“You’ll never find out,” I grin. “Let’s get in there before he has a heart attack or something. I imagine Charleigh isn’t much help, if she’s even here yet. She hates mornings more than you do. And if Jake ate her cereal again, she’ll be in a worse mood.”
She looks across the street, eyeing the restaurant. “I completely forgot to eat this morning. It’s going to be a long freaking day.”
She’s not wrong. Today is going to be brutal. Getting sick on the weekend isn’t an ideal situation. Some of the younger crowd will be coming in to get those last-minute tattoos before heading off to school. Memories of their summer vacations, friendships formed and hearts broken. As horrible as it sounds, those of my favorite ones to do because they mean something to the person getting them. “Most likely, but we’ve got this.”
“You’re finally here,” Corey’s voice booms through the shop as soon my foot is through the front door. “This is what y’all call quick?”
“I’m so sorry, Corey,” Sophia immediately apologizes, hand trying to slip from mine. I grasp it tighter. I’m not letting her hide our relationship from everyone, even though they suspect it already. “We had to go by my house so I could shower and change. It takes forever to get here from there sometimes.” She winces when she realizes she said “we.” The cat’s out of the bag now.
Corey walks around the front desk and gives Sophia a side hug. “It’s okay. I was trying to figure out how to read your scheduling system so I could start calling Bianca’s clients. Would you get a list together and split it up so we’re all calling the same amount of people?”
“Sure thing,” she nods. This time she successfully pulls her hand out of mine because Corey holds me back when I try to follow her.
“You aren’t going to break this girl’s heart, are you?” He whispers so that Sophia can’t hear him. “I love you like family, but if you screw things up with her, and she quits… I’m making you sit up here at the desk.”
“No, I’m not going to break her heart,” I roll my eyes. “I care about her. More than I thought capable after a short amount of time. But she might be it for me.”
“I never thought I’d see the day after all the bullshit with Miranda,” he grins. “At least Soph fits in with your life. She knows the lifestyle, the hours, and she loves ink as much as the rest of us.”
I clap him on the back, nodding in agreement. “I’m glad I have your approval. I met her parents last night, and I think it went well.”
“That’s good.” He points to my area. “Now, go get your shit set up so you can help us make calls.”
“Hey, Corey,” Sophia calls. “Before you head back to the office, do I split it into groups of three or make a list for Charleigh, too. I didn’t see her light on when we came in.”
“Make a list for Charleigh, too. She’ll be here soon.” He’s resigned, knowing that soon could mean in a hour or two. She better get here soon since we have to make all these calls before getting ready for our own appointments. I wonder if she knows we might have to ink some of Bianca’s clients, too.
Twenty-five minutes later, Charleigh makes her appearance, and if the scowl on her face is any indication, she’s not in a good mood. “If that motherfucker doesn’t stop eating my cereal, I’m going to smother him in his sleep.”
“Trouble in paradise?” I laugh. “I thought the family life was suiting you well.”
“It’d be a hell of a lot better if he’d stop eating the last of my cereal, pick up more when he does, or at least tell me we are out.” She stomps to the front desk. “But, no. He doesn’t do any of that. Instead, my day is ruined because when I go to pour myself a bowl, only crumbs are left.”
“You sound like an old married couple,” Sophia snorts. “I can already see the fallout. ‘Relationship gone sour over cereal. Fellows, keep your pantry stocked.’”
“That’s not funny,” Charleigh pouts. “Okay, maybe it is. But now is not the time for jokes.”
“I’ll make your day better, then,” Sophia hands her the list of people she needs to call. “Everyone on here needs to be called and rescheduled, or moved into your schedule.”
“When I’m hangry isn’t the best time for me to be calling people, but I better or Corey will be all over my ass.” She squeezes the list in her fist and walks to her room.
“I’ll be right back,” I call out to Sophia before walking out the front door. The girls are hungry and they both hate mornings. The least I can do is run across the street and grab some food. I believe I should win employee of the month after this. I’m saving people everywhere from their horrible morning moods.