The Rules of Dating(113)

I couldn’t hide my smile this time. “Sounds awful. But maybe he’ll surprise you and be cool.”

“Doubt it. Anyway, I have to run. I’ll text you when I’m done for the day.”

***

At 6 PM precisely, I walked into the shop with a huge bouquet of wildflowers and an envelope tucked in my back pocket. I’d expected to see Justine at the front desk, but I found Billie there instead.

Her lips curved to a smile. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes? It’s a good thing you didn’t show up to the Mommy and Me class looking all adorable with those flowers. Your fan club might have trampled me.”

I chuckled. “I’m here for my appointment.”

“Your appointment? Like for a tattoo?”

I nodded. “Yep. I’m your six o’clock.”

Billie’s nose wrinkled. “You’re my middle initial guy?”

“That’s right.”

“What’s with the fake name?”

“I wanted to surprise you. I’m a little upset you didn’t figure out it was me.”

“How would I have known?”

I pointed to the open appointment book on the desk. “Read the name out loud.”

“Hugh G. Rection.” It took her a few seconds to catch on. Then she peered over the counter and eyed my crotch with a smirk. “I don’t see any.”

“Trust me, you’re going to be seeing one very soon.” I walked to the front door and twisted the lock until it clanked shut, then flicked off the neon OPEN sign.

“I’m guessing Deek was in on this?” Billie closed the appointment book. “Because he rushed out of here a few minutes ago, right after telling Justine she could go home early. He would normally never leave me alone on a Saturday night.”

“Yeah, Deek was in on it.” I walked behind the counter and pressed my lips to hers. “Remember that fantasy I told you about a long time ago? The one where I fuck you on your hydraulic chair?”

Billie bit down on her bottom lip. “I do.”

“That’s happening tonight, too. But first…I’m getting the tattoo you owe me.”

“The rose?”

“Definitely not the rose. I’m actually really glad you wouldn’t ink that on me. You were right that a first tattoo should have meaning.”

“So what do you want to get?”

“I’ll show you. But first…” I lifted her off her feet. “I’m taking you in the back so I can suck your face without everyone on the street being able to see.”

Billie giggled as I carried her into the studio. I got so into the kiss that I almost forgot the big news I’d been dying to tell her all day. When we came up for air, I used my thumb to wipe the lipstick I’d smeared underneath her bottom lip. “I have something for you.”

She grinned. “I know. I feel it against my hip bone. I guess maybe you’re living up to your fictitious name after all.”

I carried her over to her hydraulic chair and set her down before pulling the manila envelope from my back pocket.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Open it up and find out.”

Billie tore into the envelope. She pulled the pages out and scanned the top one for a few heartbeats before looking up with wide eyes. “Is this for real? I thought finalizing the divorce was going to take months?”

“Holden knew someone at the courthouse and used his powers of persuasion to get it moved to the top of the pile.”

“So you’re really not married anymore?”

“I’m all yours, sweetheart.”

Billie stared down at the papers for a long time, shaking her head, and when she looked up again, her face was full of emotion. “Oh my God, Colby. I’m so happy. I didn’t realize how much it was weighing on me until right now. I feel so much lighter.”

I nodded. “Me too. And my lawyer has been talking to the investigator. He’s pretty sure we’re going to be able to settle on a smallish fine as a penalty for what I did, rather than criminal prosecution. It feels like we can put this all behind us now.”

She shook her head. “Today has been the best day. I spent the morning with Saylor, you’re officially a free man again, and I’m going to take your ink virginity.”

“Hey, don’t forget about tattoo-chair sex.”

She laughed. “That, too. So what am I inking on you, anyway? Did you bring a picture of what you want?”

“I did better than that…” Walking over to Deek’s station, I pulled open his drawer and took out the stencil he’d made. Handing it to her, I pointed to the inside of my forearm. “I want this right here.”

I thought I’d need to explain, but when Billie covered her mouth and her eyes welled up with tears, I knew she understood. She turned her arm and showed me her tattoo. “It’s the lock that goes with my key.”

I nodded. “Deek drew it. He used a photo of your tattoo for reference to make them match. I may not have given you a key on our first date, like your grandfather gave your grandmother, but you’ve had my heart since the moment I met you. Now you’ll always have the key that goes to it.”

Tears streamed down Billie’s face. “Oh my God, Colby. You are the sweetest, most romantic man in the world. I love you so much.”