Inked in the Steel City Series(52)

Be there in twenty. :)

“See ya, Mina.” Tucking her phone back into her pocket, she paused at the front desk. It wasn’t like she could leave without saying goodbye to her best friend, even if Mina was wearing an infuriatingly knowing little smile. It was easy for her to laugh at someone else getting flustered – she was already engaged to Eric, the artist who sat in the nearest half-booth and was responsible for the current buzzing sound.

With his dark hair and blue eyes, Eric was gorgeous, and perfect for Mina, but he didn’t hold a candle to Jed. Jed was taller, darker … more rugged. She forced herself to make eye contact with Mina, refusing to glance toward the back of the shop.

“What’d Jed think of the photos?” Mina asked, leaning on the glass display case full of body jewelry. Was it only a trick of the evening light, or did she actually waggle her eyebrows up and down a little bit?

“He loved them.”

“As usual.” Mina smiled and tipped her head, sending her dark, straight hair swinging.

“Yeah, well, it was the back piece he did for that McGuiness guy. The one with the sailing ship? It’s an amazing tattoo.”

“Mmmhmm.” Mina just kept smiling, looking like the cat that had eaten the canary.

For the millionth time, Karen wished for the ability to travel back in time and stop herself on the night she’d split a bottle of champagne with Mina – to celebrate becoming a full-time photographer – and confessed how hot she thought Jed was. Just the thought of it was enough to turn her cheeks red; she’d actually used the words ‘tall, dark and handsome’ to describe him out loud.

“What’s mmmhmm supposed to mean?” she whispered, just in case any of the other artists or clients were listening in.

“It’s just that he always loves your photos. He loves everything you do.”

Karen gave Mina her fiercest for-the-love-of-God-speak-quietly stare.

Mina just grinned. It was official – she was exacting revenge upon Karen for pushing her and Eric together. And she had literally pushed Mina out of her hiding place in a restaurant bathroom once, when Mina had been having doubts about whether Eric was really attracted to her.

Karen preferred to think that she’d assisted in boosting Mina’s confidence. And it had all worked out in the end – Mina and Eric were engaged now. Very happily engaged.

“Guess I’ll see you Friday,” Karen said, choosing to ignore Mina’s waggle-browed smile and teasing comments.

“Of course you will.” Mina straightened, placing her hands flat on the countertop. “We’ll all be there – me, Eric, Jess and Jed.”

Karen’s heart stopped, then banged back to life again. “Jed?” Why in the world would Jed be at Ruby’s on Friday night? Had Mina actually invited him? Had he actually agreed to come?

“Didn’t anyone tell you? You two share the same birthday.”

“Who would tell me besides you?” Karen whisper-yelled, looking right into her friend’s eyes.

Mina grinned. “Eric just told me yesterday. We figured we could all celebrate together. Abby, James and Tyler are coming too.”

Abby, James and Tyler were Hot Ink’s other tattoo artists, and the fact that they’d be attending would make Jed’s presence seem more natural. Not that Karen’s shameless imagination wasn’t already perfectly convinced that Jed’s presence would make the night nothing short of magical. Amazingly, awkwardly magical, considering the fact that Mina would probably be waggling her eyebrows and scheming to embarrass Karen at some point. Where had her sweet, reserved friend gone?

Engagement had changed her. Before she’d placed the order for her Tattooed Prince Charming’s wedding tux, she’d never waggled her eyebrows at anyone.

“See you then,” Karen said, stepping away from the counter.

Mina smiled. “Bye, Karen.”



* * * * *





Black was a good color. You couldn’t go wrong with black, right? Jed shoved his shirtsleeves up to his elbows and rolled them so they’d stay in place. He hated when sleeves touched his wrists, so he’d compromised. Usually, he wore a t-shirt, but for tonight, he’d chosen a shirt that actually buttoned up the front.

Because it was Karen’s birthday. It was his birthday too, but that didn’t matter. He glanced at the rearview mirror and made sure there wasn’t anything on his face, like a giant sign reading I wore sleeves for Karen because I think she’s amazing.

Nothing. He grimaced at his reflection and looked away, opening the door.

What the hell was wrong with him? Karen was too innocent, too young, too ambitious – too everything – for someone like him, and he hadn’t been interested in a relationship in years. How old was she turning anyway? He mulled the possibilities over as he exited his Charger, gripping a box he’d wrapped just hours ago.