The glare Clarence sends her way is comical. As much as he is the poster boy for her career and family, he won’t be around for long if she doesn’t act accordingly. And seeing tattooed ex-fiancés isn’t something he’ll be okay with. Now, or in the future.
Shrugging, I head for the door. “Bye, Miranda.”
The pain and confusion is still there, but the door on this chapter of my life is now closed.
* * *
The shop is quiet except for Charleigh banging around in her area. She’s on cloud nine since she was promoted from apprentice to artist. She reminds me of myself when Corey gave me a chance. She’s crazy talented for a someone so young, but she’s grown up in this shop. She’s been here for as long as I have. Hell, Charleigh is more dedicated than I was at her age. I would party it up any chance I got, while she would spend her spring, and summer, breaks in the shop doing whatever grunt work we’d throw at her.
My client just left. The job took less time than I imagined. They changed the original intricate anchor to one that was smaller and simpler. Walking across the shop, I lean against Charleigh’s door. “How are things going with pretty boy?”
She groans, “I wish you’d stop calling him that. He’s not horrible, you know.”
“I never said he was,” I argue. “It’s just most of us don’t go for someone like that.”
“You did,” she snaps back, and winces. “Sorry, that was a bitchy thing to say.”
Deep breaths. Things may be over between Miranda and I, but it still hurts. “It’s okay. I deserved it.” Maybe he’ll be different than Miranda. He could actually care about Charleigh for all I know. Being burned by someone exactly like him makes me wary, though. “It looks good in here,” I nod toward the wall next to the mirrors, changing the subject. If I don’t, Charleigh will feel the need to talk, and I don’t want to. Not right now. Maybe not ever.
“Thanks,” she beams. “It’s the complete opposite of the other rooms. But totally me.”
“True.” It is, too. She tries to put on this badass persona, but she’s so damn bubbly and energetic. It’s annoying sometimes. “I think your clients will love it.”
Leaving her to her task, I go back to the main room. We really need someone to answer the phones and take care of all the paperwork since Charleigh isn’t the main person doing it anymore. We all pitch in, and it works for the most part. But we all have our own way of doing things and it can get confusing at times.
The bell above the door dings, and a girl walks in. She looks young, maybe Charleigh’s age. “Can I help you?”
She jumps, started at the sound of my voice. “I have an appointment with Charleigh.”
“Sure, what’s your name, I’ll let her know you’re here.”
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” she pushes back a lock of hair. “I’m Sophia.”
I turn abruptly, until my back is to her. “Charleigh, Sophia is here!” I call before facing Sophia again. I study the meek girl that just walked in. She’s pretty, and looks scared shitless with eyes wide as she studies the art on the walls.
Intrigue bubbles up, and I do my best to stomp that shit down. I cannot be entertaining thoughts of this girl. Miranda just ripped my heart into shreds, and this girl definitely doesn’t fit the type of person I should be pursuing. Frowning at my interest in her,
Without waiting for a reply, I shove a form toward her. “We need you to fill these out.”
“Sure.” The corner of her mouth lifts slightly before she grabs the pen and starts writing.
As soon as she’s done, I attach it to one of many clipboards we keep under the counter. “Charleigh will be here in a moment.”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Charleigh is walking out of her room. Finally. This girl is making me feel things, and I don’t want to. Glancing at my co-worker, I introduce the two. “Charleigh, this is Sophia, your appointment,” I point at her as if Charleigh can’t see the woman standing in front of us.
She holds out her hand to Sophia. “Hi Sophia, I’m Charleigh.”
“I’m Sophia,” she places her hand in Charleigh’s. “But you obviously know that already.”
Charleigh looks over at me. “Did you get Sophia to fill out the paperwork?”
“Yep, it’s all right here.” My gaze never leaves Sophia, and that terrifies me. “You’re good to go.”
“Thanks. Follow me back, Sophia,” Charleigh walks toward her room with Sophia trailing behind her.
Instead of watching her go into the room with Charleigh, I stomp toward mine. That girl is all sugar and spice. But I want to know what is hidden beneath those layers. Damn it, I can’t be thinking like that. My room is clean, but I rearrange everything until I hear her talking with Charleigh about what tattoo she wants. She’ll be gone soon enough and I’ll be able to get my head back on straight. There’s no time for anything besides work. Even if it’s a mousy girl with long dark hair, looking as if she’s running from something.