Inked in the Steel City Series(39)
“That’s fantastic, Karen.”
“That’s not all though,” Karen added, her choice of wording and apparent excitement combining to make her sound more than a little like an infomercial. “Guess where else my photos are appearing?”
Mina shrugged before remembering that Karen couldn’t see the gesture. “I don’t know. Where?”
Karen rattled off the name of a publication, and it took a moment for it to click. When it did, Mina’s eyebrows shot halfway up her forehead, seemingly of their own accord. “Isn’t that the tattoo magazine that was on your desk in the studio?”
“Sure is.”
“Which photos are they publishing?”
“Oh, a couple, including a certain photo that you might recognize from Hot Ink’s window. You know, the one of you and Eric.”
“Seriously?”
The smile Mina knew Karen wore was practically audible. “Yeah, which reminds me – I’ve got a check to split with you two. The payment isn’t huge, but Mina, this is my first magazine publication! And don’t worry,” she added hastily, “I got permission from Jed before submitting the photo. He’s thrilled about it. Hot Ink is getting credited, along with Eric and the artist that did his dragon tattoo. They’re even mentioning that you work there.”
Mina smiled. “I’m really happy for you.” As for the photo, she didn’t mind who saw it. It was already on display in Hot Ink’s windows and on their website. Now that she’d left the bank behind, she had nothing to worry about.
“Thanks again for posing for me,” Karen said. “I knew that photo would be amazing. But anyway, that reminds me – how are things with you and Eric?”
Mina wandered out of Jess’s room and into her own, closing the door behind her. “Amazing,” she said, her reply coming out more breathily than she’d intended it to.
Karen laughed. “So does that mean you finally…” She trailed off delicately, but Mina knew exactly what she meant.
“Not exactly. But Jess’s homecoming dance is coming up, and since she’s going to be out late that night at the dance and the after party the school is hosting, Eric is going to come over to my place.”
“I see.” Karen sounded almost smug. “Well if you need someone to drive Jess anywhere that night, just let me know. I’d be glad to play chauffer. I can’t tell you how glad I am to finally see you being happy with someone.”
“Thanks a lot.” Mina smiled, not minding, for once, that Karen seemed to think Mina needed a boyfriend to be truly happy. In truth, she felt happier than she had in a long time – maybe happier than ever. Just a week ago, things had seemed so rocky, with her work woes and the trouble Jess had been having with bullies at school. But now, things really seemed to be shaping up. Everything was going smoothly for Jess, and Eric was turning out to be more than Mina had ever really thought she’d find in a man. She couldn’t wait until Friday, when they’d finally have a night – or at least, half of one – alone together. She intended to finally show him exactly how she felt about him.
****
Mina barely made it to the high school in time to pick Jess up. It had been an especially busy Friday afternoon at Hot Ink. As she pulled around the side to look for Jess at her usual place, a group of girls scampered in front of her car carelessly, laughing and practically skipping. Thank God Mina had been moving at a crawl. Excitement over the homecoming dance seemed to have infected all the students, depriving them of their common sense. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to be annoyed. She was excited too; for Jess, and for herself. Tonight, she and Eric would have her apartment to themselves and would finally make love. Her stomach flip-flopped nervously as she contemplated it, unconsciously smoothing a hand over her right thigh.
Jess was in her usual spot, her bright coat causing her to stand out among her classmates. Mina kept her gaze on Jess as she parked, trying to make eye contact, but Jess was staring down at her lap, absorbed in – what? Mina climbed out of the car and started across the asphalt. “Jess!” she cried when she got within hearing distance.
Jess didn’t look up.
She took a few more steps toward her. “Jess!”
She slowly raised her head, revealing a face devoid of the excitement reflected in her classmates’.
“Jess?” Mina stopped at her side. “Is everything OK?”
Jess shrugged and pushed her chair’s joystick, moving forward. Her giddy classmates moved aside, allowing Mina and Jess to emerge into the parking lot.