Five

        I wasn’t too surprised to find that the work was easy to pick up. It was pretty straight-forward. All I had to do was answer the phones, check in customers and schedule consultations. Other appointments were scheduled by the artists themselves since they would know how long it would take and how many sessions. If there were any walk-in’s I would refer them to an artist that had a free slot.

        The shop wasn’t too busy this early, but the guys said it would likely pick up later. I had been on my own for a few hours and everything was going without a hitch.

So far at least.

         I was busying myself with straightening and organizing the disaster that was the desk, when I heard the door chime. When I looked up, polite smile in place to find a tall, leggy blonde making her way to the counter. I couldn’t help but notice she was without a doubt gorgeous. I wondered which guy she was going to see.

        “Welcome to Colorado Ink, how may I help you?” I greeted her.

        She narrowed her eyes, smacked her gum and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

        “Get Jensen for me,” she snapped.

        My smile tightened.

        “Of course. What’s your name?”

        She glared at me like I should already know.

        “Mercedes,” she snarled.

        I picked up the phone and dialed Jensen’s extension. The rule was, if they didn’t answer on the second ring, then they were busy and I was to ask the person to wait or take a message. Sadly, I knew he wasn’t busy and he answered on the first ring. I would have loved for the gum smacking hussy to have to wait.

        “Hallo luv,” he drawled.

        Damn, his voice was even hotter over the phone.

        I cleared my throat.

        “There is a Mercedes asking for you,” I informed him, trying to sound professional, but I'm pretty sure I just sounded ridiculous. “The person, not the car.”

        I smirked at her over the counter.

        She just rolled her eyes and kept on smacking her gum. I was starting to feel sorry for it; it was like she was trying to murder it.

        “Be right there,” he clipped, then hung up.

        I returned the handset back to the base and looked up at the girl.

        “He’s on his way,” I said, smartly.

        A few seconds later, Jensen rounded the front of my desk. I didn’t bother looking up, but had to keep reminding myself that it was none of my business and that I barely knew the guy. I could hear him whispering to her and she gave an exaggerated laugh. It took a lot of effort not to groan in disgust. She was so fake.

        It was suddenly quiet, so I thought it was safe to look up, but I was wrong. They were molded together and it looked like she was trying to eat his face. It was gross, and I did groan in disgust this time. They would at least have the decency to go back to his studio.

        They pulled apart and looked at me. Blondie looked at me like I had some nerve butting in on their moment while Jensen had the decency to looked shamefaced. I didn’t bother hiding my disgusted look. He looked back at the girl and lead her out the door.

        It was the douse of cold water I needed. He was clearly taken and from the looks of that girl, I was most definitely not his type. I didn’t look anything close to that; I was short at five-two and had a curvy frame and I didn't look good with blonde hair. I was his girls polar opposite.

        “Who was that?” Saw said from behind me.

        I hadn’t heard her come down the hall, so she startled me. I jumped so high I almost toppled out of my chair.

        “Holy shit balls, Saw!” I shrieked. “Make some damn noise next time.”

        I glared at her, but she was too busy doubled over laughing. I had half a mind to go over there and push her the rest of the way over. She would deserve it, but instead I answered her question.

        “Some girl named Mercedes.”

        She straightened and sighed.

        “I hate that girl,” Saw told me as she took a seat next to me.

        “I should thank her,” I shrugged. “She showed me what kind of girls Jensen’s into and I’m definitely one of them. Plus, they were practically humping in front of my desk.”

        Saw made a gagging noise and a door down the hall opened and Derek poked his head out.

        “Will you guy keep it down?” He yelled. “I can’t hear myself ink!” He smirked, looking rather proud of himself.

        I giggled and Saw rolled her eyes.

        “Very clever,” she called to him.

        He flashed her a devilish grin and retreated into his room.

        “I’m finished for a while, wanna go have lunch?” she asked me, standing.

        “Yes, please!” I was starved.

        “Awesome, I’ll go let Mack know he’s on front desk duty,” she said, heading down the hall to Mack’s room.

        I grabbed my bag and pulled out my phone, deciding to check my messages while I waited for her. There were a few messages from my mom, but I still hadn’t heard from Josh and I was a little depressed about it. I huffed and tossed my phone back into my bag.

        When I looked up, Jensen was leaning against the desk watching me. I gave him a polite smile and looked down, looking for something to make me look busy, so he would hopefully go away. I didn’t have much luck.

        “Freya?” My name was like honey in his mouth and it sounded beautiful when he said it with his lovely accent.

        I took a deep breath and looked up at him.

        “What’s up?” I said, coolly.

        “I want to apologize for my behavior a few moments ago. It wasn’t very, er, professional of me,” he explained, taking me by surprise.

        “Oh! It’s fine,” I shrugged, waving him off.

        “She’s not my girlfriend. Just a client.” Why was he telling me this?

        “Um, that’s none of my business,” I stated.

        I think he should tell her that, not me.

        “I wanted you to know.” His eyes seemed to burn into mine and I had to look away before I got lost and said something stupid.

        I looked to my hands and nodded.

        Saw saved me from anymore awkwardness when she came walking down the hallway towards us.

        “Ready to go?” She asked, coming to a stop beside me.

        I jumped to my feet and slung my bag on my shoulder.

        “Yep,” I said, a little too quickly. She gave Jensen and me a pondering look, then lead me to the door.

        We walked to Jimmy’s since the weather was still nice and it was just around the corner. The first part of the walk was in silence, but I could tell Saw was dying to say something. She continuous glanced over at me and it was grating on my nerves.

        “What!?” I laughed. “Do I have something on my face?”

        She gave me a small smile.

        “No, sorry, it’s just, what did Jensen want? He was looking at you pretty intensely.”

        I shrugged. “He wanted to apologize for sucking face right in front of me, I guess.”

        I was still trying to figure him out. He didn’t strike me as the kind of guy that apologized for his behavior, so I was still confused on the whole thing myself.

        “Good,” she said, but seemed surprised. “He needed too.”

        We arrived at Jimmy’s and seated ourselves at Saw’s usual booth. I swear he was such a regular that they kept this seat empty just for her. We had just got comfortable when Jensen slid into the booth beside Saw.

        “What are you doing?” Saw said, elbowing him.

        “I thought perhaps I’d join you both for lunch,” he told her, smiling. “If that’s okay.”

        Saw shrugged, then looked to me. I shrugged, too, picking up my menu and pretending to look it over. I already knew what I wanted, but it made me look busy. He had my nerves on end and I wasn’t sure if I was more irritated with him or myself at this point.

        The waitress came over and chatted with Jensen and Saw for a moment before taking our order. Once she left, I picked my phone up, but there wasn’t anything new, which was expected. Yet I couldn’t help but be disappointed. I sat it down on the table, looking up at Saw. She was typing something determinedly into her phone, clearly preoccupied. That left me with only Jensen to talk too.

        I looked to him and smiled, then asked the first thing that popped in my head.

        “So, how long have you been a tattoo artist?”

        “For about five years give or take,” he answered.

        I looked down at his arms trying to get a better look at his ink. He extended his arms toward me and I took his arms in my hands. He had flames going up one arm and the other arm was clearly a tribute sleeve. They were incredibly done and whoever had done them was very talented.

        “They’re very impressive,” I commented, releasing his arms. “Beautifully done. Where I’m from most tattoos are homemade and look like crap. That’s one reason I don’t have any. I don’t trust anyone to not mess it up.”

        “Where are you from?” He asked, crossing his arms and leaning forward.

        “Kentucky,” I shrugged. “What about you?”

        “England,” he smirked.

        “I gathered that,” I snorted. “Where at in England?”

        “All over,” he shrugged. “What brings you to Colorado?”

        “School, I go to UC Denver with Saw.” My eyes flickered to her, but she was steadily typing on her cell, so I looked back to Jensen. “Why did you leave England?”

        His features tightened, then closed off completely. Saw looked up from her phone, looking at Jensen. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, leaning back crossing his arms across his chest. Saw’s eyes seemed to bounce back and forth between Jensen and me, as if she was waiting to see if he would answer.

        “It’s okay, that’s none of my business,” I assured him.

        He seemed to relax a little, looking relieved that I wasn't going to pressure him into answering. Saw looked disappointed and went back to her phone.

        “So,” I said, changing the subject. “What’s your favorite tattoo you’ve done so far?”

        He looked thoughtful for a moment.

        “That’s a hard one,” he smiled, slightly. “I must show you my portfolio back at the shop, when you have time.”

        “I’d love that,” I smiled.

        Our food arrived and we ate in silence. I wasn’t sure what else to say and Jensen didn’t seem to be bothered by the silence. As I ate I tried to ponder why my question had caused such a reaction. It was a simple question, I thought. Unless he was a fugitive or something, but he didn’t seem like the criminal type.

        I was just glad I could salvage the situation. It was so like me to ask the one question that was clearly a potential mood killer. Watching him now, he didn’t seem bothered in the least and it was like I hadn’t asked it at all, but Saw still kept glancing at him from the corner of her eye. I decided that I would just ask Saw later and see if she could give me any insight.

        When we finished the waitress brought our tickets and before Saw or I could get our money out Jensen had his card out, handing it to the waitress.

        “My treat, ladies,” Jensen grinned.

        “Are you sure?” I asked, my hand still on my wallet. Saw didn’t seem bothered, probably because he owed her. “I can pay for myself.”

        “It’s fine,” he said, winking at me.

        I still wasn’t sure about it, but there wasn’t much I could do now. Mack called Saw as we were gathering our things and said business was picking up and he needed is to come back as soon as possible, so we rushed out.

        We we arrived back at Colorado Ink, it was in full swing. There were people standing everywhere and Mack was standing behind the desk looking lost. I didn’t waste anytime, moving him out of the way and taking over and before I knew it my mind was so occupied with work I had completely forgotten about lunch and Jensen.

        Before I knew it, we were all standing out in front of the shop while Mack locked up for the night. I waited as Saw chatted with the guys for a moment and then I followed her to her car, waving bye to all the guys. Today had been the best day and I couldn’t believe how easy it was to be around the guys.

        I was exhausted from my first real day of work and I couldn’t wait to get home and lay down. I had to work again tomorrow and I couldn’t wait.

        “Mack was really impressed with you today,” Saw said, breaking into my thoughts.

        “Really?” I said, surprised.

        “Yea. He said you handled it pretty well for it being so busy on a Monday and your first day,” she grinned. “All the guys love you, too. Well, maybe a little in love with you.”

        I shook my head and laughed.

        “I doubt that, but I’m glad they like me. They are all pretty awesome,” I beamed at her. “Thank you again.”

        We were at the apartment now, pulling into her parking space. She put the car into park, then shut it off, turning to me.

        “Jensen’s smitten with you by the way,” she smirked, getting out of the car.

        I climbed out after and me meet at the front of the car.

        “No one says smitten anymore,” I said, nudging her shoulder playfully.

        “I’m serious!” She laughed.

        “Yea, I’d rather not go there,” I said, shaking my head. “Like you said, that man is nothing but heartbreak.”

        We were on our floor now and I stopped outside my front door, turning to face Saw.

        “Sometimes I’m wrong,” she shrugged and walked to her door.

        I said nothing and unlocked my door, going inside. I didn’t know if she was right or wrong, but I didn’t want to think about it and I sure as hell didn't want to find out. My heart was still trying to repair itself as it was and I didn’t want to see how much more it could take.