"Oh, I can do way better with flattery," I say.
She laughs again. "Probably. But we're getting off track. This is Imogen's first relationship in a while, and I think, as her only sister, I have a right to approve or disapprove."
"I'm on trial?" I ask.
"Nothing that official," she says. "But I have to make sure you're a good guy."
"Ignore her," Imogen says.
Julie shakes her head. "I have a few questions. Three."
"Shoot," I say.
"How did you meet?" she asks.
"She PMed me on Instagram with a tattoo request," I say.
"And you took advantage?" she asks.
"No," I say. "I was all business at first. We worked on the design, she came to the shop for work. You've seen her tattoo?"
Julie nods.
"It's a sensitive place. Hard to cover. She kept holding her boobs until I offered to make her a top out of tape. And she just dropped her hands and said, 'thank god' and looked at me like… it's okay to stare."
"Really?" Julie asks her sister.
"It wasn't torrid," Imogen says. "It was like he was a doctor."
"And it was okay for him to see you naked?" Julie asks.
"She's right. It's all skin," I say.
"So you didn't check out her hot bod?" Julie asks.
"I'm human," I say.
Julie laughs. "Okay, then?"
"When we checked out, she said, 'you've already seen me topless,' and wrote her number on the receipt."
"Really? What game! Damn Immy, that's good," she says.
"Did it really sound that seductive?" Imogen turns to us.
"Yeah," I say. "But I might have heard what I wanted to hear."
"No way. Imogen is always direct," she says. "It's scared guys before. So many guys act like it's a dream come true, you know, for a woman to use them for sex. But when it's someone as smart and cool as my sister, it's a problem."
"They're intimidated by her." I nod.
"She's kind of intense," she says. "I don't think she realizes it."
"I think she does," I say.
Imogen blushes.
"She's the one who texted me," I say. "Just like that. Straight up-booty call. 'I need help with after-care. Can you come over?'"