“I can’t believe you talked me into this,” Evie said with a sigh. “This is so not to code. I would have thought that as the co-owner of a very successful chain of tattoo shops, you’d know better.”

“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t think you could handle it,” Antonio replied. “You’re handling it, right?”

“Yes. But god. I’m not responsible for washing these sheets after this.”

“That’s why I have a cleaning lady,” Antonio said. “She’s coming tomorrow morning. She can take the stains out of anything.”

“She’s probably better off burning these sheets due to the bio-hazard.” Evie rolled her eyes. She eased the pressure off the pedal connected to her tattoo machine and reached for the rag she was using to clean Antonio’s back. She’d never used her elbow to power a machine before, and she hoped she never would again, but Antonio was being insistent.

Two years had passed since Bloom Tattoo had opened, and it simultaneously felt like no time had passed at all, and that a lifetime had gone by. Living with Antonio was easy—easier than Evie anticipated, at least. From time to time, his frosty, logical nature still conflicted with her upbeat, instinctive tendencies, but they evened each other out in the best way.

Thorn Tattoo and Bloom Tattoo were joined by a sister shop, Poison Ivy Tattoo, located in Los Angeles. The few months Antonio had spent apart from her while he got the shop up and running were hard, but in the end, it was worth it. Luciano and Melanie moved out to California with their daughter who had become the princess of all three DeRose brothers who doted on her constantly. Melanie had wanted to be closer to her family. Thanks to a DeRose celebrity now installed, the new location was doing better than anyone could have imagined. The original Thorn was bustling as ever and talented artists were begging to join the DeRose family of shops because artists blessed enough to be employed by the DeRose family shot to stardom. It was like the brothers had the magic touch. “If she wants, she can burn them,” Antonio said casually. “I don’t care. We could buy a whole new bed and it’d be worth it. It’s not every man who can claim he had the rest of his back piece done by his fantastic girlfriend while in bed.”

“Right. And while he contorted into the worst position possible so that he could draw on her leg at the same time,” Evie said with a laugh. She wiped away the ink, checking on her work. All she was doing was feathering some of the shadow on a tattoo she’d done a week or so ago, but in bed was far from the optimal spot to do it. Half of her was sure it was going to turn out bad because of the angle and the way Antonio’s skin was resting. The other half told her not to worry so much—she was more than skilled enough to pull anything off, regardless of the angle.

“I still say it’s worth it,” Antonio defended. “What better way is there to spend the weekend?”

“Mm, you’re right. I’m boring.” Evie winked. She put the cloth down and picked up the tattoo machine again. “Just a little bit more to go, like… three minutes. You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

Evie pushed her elbow against the pedal and started the machine again. Antonio’s skin took ink well. He was pale enough that the blacks were crisp and beautiful, and she loved working with shades of gray on his skin. There was plenty of real estate left for fresh ink, too. She knew that Antonio wasn’t going to be exclusively her canvas, but she’d taken over his back since she’d completed his family crest. The final piece was coming together beautifully.

“You know,” she said over the buzzing, “I wish you could see this in person. It’s stunning. Pictures don’t do it justice.”

“I believe you,” Antonio said. “Plus, I see it in the mirror every now and then. I’m always impressed.”

“You’d better be.” She stuck her tongue out. “It’s my reputation all over your back, you know.”

“Mm.” Antonio settled down, letting her work. As she did, he finished up with the drawing he was doing on her thigh. He’d snagged one of Evie’s sharpies and started doodling early into the tattoo. “Well, I know that you always do your best.”

“I keep my eyes set on the prize,” she teased.

“Maybe.” Antonio said. “But I think you should look at the prize I’m working on right now.”

Evie snorted. “You’re drawing a dick on my thigh, aren’t you?” She passed the needles over one of the last spaces she needed to touch up. The ink was almost out, and she didn’t want to refill the little cap on the small tray they’d laid out.

“No.” Antonio’s sarcasm teased her. “Take a look.”

“I’m almost done!” Evie said. “Gimme a sec, okay?”

She finished up with the shading, wiped away the excess ink, and inspected it for any missed spaces. When she was satisfied, she reached for the wrap and sealed it up.

“There. Done. Now, do I need to tell you how to take care of it, or are you a good boy who listens to the things I tell you the first time around?”

“Ha ha.” Antonio swatted at her ass playfully.

“Hey!” Evie said with a laugh. “Maybe don’t spank the woman with the tattoo machine? I could turn your back into a tragedy before you could stop me.”

“Just look at your thigh, Evie,” Antonio said. He backed away enough that she could move.

Evie rolled her eyes and sat up, expecting to find a cartoon dick. She looked down and found an elegant script tattoo instead. She narrowed her eyes, tracing her fingers over the lettering. Antonio was seated now, too, going through the bedside drawer—she assumed to put the sharpie away.

The tattoo read, Marry Me.

Evie’s hand shook and she quickly put the tattoo machine down. “Um, what do you mean?”

She looked up to find Antonio was no longer perched on the edge of the bed—he was on one knee on the floor. Evie’s eyes widened, and she scooted over and peered down at him, heart racing. In Antonio’s hand was a small box. She recognized it instantly.

“Oh my god.”

“Will you marry me, Evie?” he asked. “I can’t think of a more wonderful woman I’d want to spend my life with.”

The tears came all at once. Evie fanned her eyes as her pulse raced in her ears. She tried to reply, but her words came out as choked syllables.

Antonio laughed. Even after two years together, she still cherished the sound of it.

“Should I take that as a yes?” Antonio asked, grinning. All of the frost was melted from his face.

He loved her, and she loved him.

Evie nodded.

He slipped the ring on her finger. It was a simple, understated diamond ring that wouldn’t interfere with her art, and that was so incredibly her she ached. Evie lifted her hand and twisted it to examine the ring briefly, then fell to her knees on the floor in front of Antonio. She locked her arms around his neck and held herself close. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Antonio whispered in her ear. “And I think we’re both stubborn enough that we’ll love each other forever no matter what.”

Evie couldn’t argue—she couldn’t even speak. All she could do was cling to Antonio and bury her face against his neck. The ring on her finger still felt heavy and foreign, but she knew the sensation wouldn’t last long. Soon it would be a part of her, just like Antonio was.

And they’d be a part of each other forever.

Evie couldn’t ask for a happier ending than that.