“Things happen fast around here.” Sarah laughed as I sat blushing profusely.
“You could say that,” I replied. “But really, this has been in the making between us for a while. It’s weird how I see it so clearly now but I couldn’t before.”
She nodded. “Life’s funny that way sometimes. You look good together.”
I smiled. “Thanks. It’s still really new and all feels a bit like a dream,” I admitted, surprised I’d shared that with her.
“Isn’t everything good like that?” She sighed wistfully.
“Maybe,” I allowed cautiously. I was still slightly scared to believe this could really be my something good.
Christ, I sounded like Mary Poppins.
“Do you want a coffee? I’m about to brew a fresh pot.”
“Sure, thanks.” I nodded, scooping Trixie into my lap.
After a cup of coffee and a nice conversation with Sarah, Sid emerged. “Ready?” he asked with a lifted brow.
I nodded, standing up and gathering my things. Sid picked up Trixie, patiently waiting for me to pack my purse up.
“She’s really taken to the two of you,” Sarah commented, watching Trixie thoughtfully.
“Is that surprising?” I asked her.
She shrugged. “Dogs are all different, but a lot of times Chihuahuas are really loyal to their owners and indifferent to other people. She looks like she’s known the two of you her whole life.”
Interesting.
“Are we ready?” I asked, looking around me to make sure I hadn’t left anything behind.
I almost always did.
“I’m ready.” Sid nodded. “See you later, Sarah.” He offered her a chin lift as he took my hand.
“Bye, Sarah,” I chimed in with a wave. “Bye, Trav!” I hollered toward the back.
“Call you later!” he hollered back.
“You still want to go to the shop?” Sid asked me as we walked toward his truck.
“Yeah,” I replied.
I watched him scan our surroundings, always vigilant, before we climbed in.
Caden’s tattoo shop, Sacred Heart, was just across town. When we pulled up in front, I couldn’t help but feel like this was the Sid and Sam relationship roadshow. We left Trixie in the truck with the windows cracked; we didn’t plan on staying long.
The buzz of a tattoo gun and the low murmur of voices met my ears when we walked in.
“Cade!” Sid shouted toward the back of the shop. Caden had hired a shop girl part-time who scheduled appointments and greeted customers, but obviously, she’d left for the day.
“Hey, bro, just wrapping this up. I’ll be out in a sec,” Cade’s voice called back.
I contented myself looking through a binder of Cade’s work. The fact that people came in off the street and picked something random from a book to be put on their body forever always baffled me.
Sid wrapped his arms around me from behind, kissing my neck. “You thinking about getting some work done?” His mouth on my skin and warm body enveloping me was making it hard to form a coherent response.
I bit my lip, thinking. “I don’t have anything planned. I’m just not averse to getting something. What about you?”
“I’ll probably get more work done at some point,” he replied, stooping so that his chin was resting on my shoulder, his arms wrapped firmly around my waist.
My phone dinged with a text and he released me. “Piper,” I explained, reading her text as Caden emerged with a perky blonde in tow.
I lost the battle not to roll my eyes while fighting the lurch in my belly.
As if on cue, the blonde set her sights on Sid. “Hey, you,” she purred with far too much familiarity for my liking. “Where have you been hiding?”
Sid’s posture was stiff as he shot a quick glance to me before meeting her attempt at a seductive gaze. “Been busy.”
Her head cocked to the side as she studied me intently. “I know you—how do I know you?” she seemed to ask herself.
“We used to live together. She’s also one of my best friends,” Caden explained with a quick eye roll behind her back for my benefit.
“She’s also my girl.” Sid’s deep authoritative voice cut through the air like a knife.
Caden’s jaw dropped as the blonde’s expression soured.
Her eyes cut to me. “Nice to meet you,” she said stiffly, pulling her purse further up her shoulder. “Gotta run. Thanks, Cade.”
“See ya.” He waved dismissively as she made her way toward the door.
“Pleasant girl,” I commented dryly, watching as she walked down the sidewalk and out of sight.
Caden grinned, his eyes dancing between the two of us. “So you two finally went and made it official, huh?”