I stop right after walking into the shop. Charleigh looks like a deer caught in the headlights. Mouth gaping open and eyes as wide as saucers. Even in this moment of surprise she is beautiful. Her long blonde hair is piled on top of her head in some sort of bun. She also looks lighter, like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.

“Jake,” she finally shakes off the shock. “What are you doing here?”

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I shift on my feet. “I, um, actually came to talk to you.”

Coming here seemed like a great idea when I was making the thirty-minute drive to Dallas. Now…I feel like a moron for even thinking she’d be willing to talk to me after our interactions the previous two times. But I want this done right, and I’ve seen her work.

“Oh yeah?” Charleigh places her arms on the counter and leans forward. “What could you possibly want to talk to me about?”

There’s a teasing in her voice that I haven’t heard before. I almost wonder if she’s been abducted by aliens or replaced with a changeling. Both would be more believable than our interaction right now.

“We-well,” I stutter. Jesus, I can’t even talk around her. “I want you to design a tattoo for me. I’m not sure what, yet. But I know you have amazing skills.”

“Are you sure you don’t want another surprise tattoo?” She questions.

“Definitely,” I smile. “I don’t need to wake up one morning with SpongeBob tattooed across my forehead.”

Charleigh shakes her head and looks down, hiding her smile. “Pity.”

I’m sure she’s just itching to give me another absurd tattoo. I can practically see cartoon images flit across her eyes.

I walk closer to the counter, “So, can you do it?”

“I can,” she drawls. She’s flipping through the appointment book, barely paying any attention to me. “But the more accurate question is will I.”

Inwardly groaning, I sigh. “Charleigh, will you design a tattoo for me?”

She snaps the appointment book closed causing me to jump. That small book should not put off that level of sound. “I’ll think about it.”

“That’s it? You’ll think about it?”

“Yep,” she smiles. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with a smile like hers. It lights up the entire room. I mean, the room was already bright before since they don’t seem to have any curtains covering their windows. But the way she beams adds an extra sparkle.

“Um, okay,” I respond. I’m not ready to leave yet, so I stroll around the room hoping to see new art plastered on the walls. Wondering if I will be able to pick out the ones that Charleigh has contributed to this unique canvas.

I feel Charleigh’s presence behind me. It’d be hard not to notice her. I feel like everything, aside from my parents, in my life is starting to align. It gives me the courage to ask Charleigh the other thing I came here for.

She’s been on my mind since the last time I came with Marshall. I want to know what makes her tick, what makes her love art the way she so obviously does, and what her fears are. I have a feeling it will be harder to uncover more than anything else.

Finally, I walk back to the counter, where she is still standing trying to hide the fact that she watched my every move as I made my way around the shop. I want to get this done before her uncle makes an appearance. I definitely don’t want to ask her out with him standing over me.

“Is there something else you needed?” Charleigh asks.

“Actually,” I wait until she looks me in the eye. “How would you like to go out on a date?”

She jerks back. “You can’t be serious. We barely even know each other.” Slipping her sketch book open, she takes a pencil and starts drawing. “Besides, I don’t think it would be a very good idea, and I’m much too busy to date anyone.”

I glance over the counter trying to see what she’s working on. “That’s kind of the whole point of a date…to get to know each other.”

“Thanks, I’ll pass,” she deadpans.

I grab the pencil out of her hand and grab one of the business cards off the counter. I jot down my number and hand both the pencil and card to her. “You can’t spend every waking hour in this shop. Live a little. What have you got to lose?”

Not giving her a chance to reply I walk toward the door. Just before opening it, I turn toward her and call out, “If you change your mind text me.” And I leave. The ball’s in her court, now.

* * *

When I get to my car I throw my hand up in the air like that guy in that eighties movie Tonya made me watch when we were dating. I still have it. I thought all my charm and will died when I realized that Tonya no longer wanted me. Hell, it definitely felt like it because I couldn’t get a date at all.

I’m expecting my phone to sound with an alert at any moment. But, it doesn’t. My excitement dulls, but only just a little. I’ll find any reason I can to go to Life in Ink until Charleigh gives me a chance.

The drive home takes twice as long. Apparently everyone in Dallas decided to be on the highways at the very moment I needed to go home. I will never understand why this area is always so backed up. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, there are always brake lights but nothing to really cause them.

Country music is blaring through my radio as I make my way toward Ashville. Charleigh may not have text me yet, but I know in my gut she will. She wouldn’t have been flirting with me earlier otherwise.

I almost call the guys to see what they are up to but decide to go home instead. Walking through the door, though, I wish I would have gone anywhere else. The words being slung from my parents makes it sound like a warzone has taken over our living room.

“What do you mean he hasn’t taken care of it yet,” my father yells.

“As far as I know he hasn’t even tried to contact Tonya. So, that’s something you’ll have to take up with him.” My mother shrieks.

I softly close the door, trying not to make a sound. I have no doubt they are talking about me. And I don’t feel like listening to their shit.

I try to sneak past the opening to get to the stairs, but my dad must catch the movement out of the corner of his eyes. “Jake, get in here,” he bellows.

My shoulders sag. So much for avoiding this. “Yes, sir.”

“Have you talked to Tonya, yet?”

“No, sir.” The best way to get this over with quickly is by showing the most respect I can, even though he doesn’t deserve it.

“Why the hell not?” he demands.

“I haven’t had the chance, sir.”

“You don’t have a job, and all you do is hang out with the idiots you went to school with. Don’t give me the bullshit that you haven’t had time.”

“Sorry, sir. I’ll take care of it this week.” I lie through my teeth. I have no intentions in following through with their ridiculous plan.

“You better,” he says. “Don’t forget, everything you have, we’ve given you. We can take it all away, and let you struggle.”

“I understand.” I say and turn around taking the stairs two at a time so I won’t have to be in their presence any longer.

I don’t know why they think they can just buy people off. I know they aren’t hurting for money, but this affects more than just my life. And I’m not going to give up any claim on my daughter.

Closing the door to my room, I pull out my phone. I need to put a lock code on here before they get any ideas and start snooping through my phone to see what contact I’ve had with Tonya.

I’ve just set the passcode, and as I’m reaching toward the button to put it on the lock screen, a message pops up. It’s from a number I don’t know.

Unknown number: Yes

Me: Is this Charleigh

Unknown number: Do you hand out your number to a lot of girls?

Me: I knew you would change your mind.

Unknown number: don’t get cocky…

I quickly add her contact information to the number. Even though I’m still pissed at my parents, that one three letter word made my night slightly better. Now, it’s time to plan a date that will sweep her off her feet.