It’s been over a week since I’ve seen Charleigh. I’ve wanted to go to the shop and see her, but I know she’s busy. Since her uncle has given her more clients, she’s been incredibly busy. I’m ready to see her today, though. Evenings are hard since they are open late.

My phone sitting on the dresser dings, and I rush over hoping it’s Charleigh, but also scared she might be cancelling on our second date. There was no need to hurry over, it’s just Randall.

Randall: Lake in 30 minutes.

Jake: I can’t. I have plans.

Randall: With that tattoo chick?

Jake: Does it matter?

Randall: Nope. But ditching us for a girl is pretty fucking stupid.

I haven’t been hanging out with the guys lately, but it’s not all because of Charleigh. They just assumed that, and I haven’t corrected them. My time has been spent looking for a job. Preparing for the shit show that’s going to take place when my parent’s figure out I’m going to be in Layla’s life, this isn’t how I envisioned my summer. But I’ll do whatever needs to be done to be a part of her world. My phone vibrates in my hand.

Randall: You know your parents are going to flip their shit when they meet her right?

Jake: Yep. Ask me if I care…

Randall: Whatever, dude. Don’t forget about us while you’re making googly eyes at her

Jake: I’ll catch up with y’all tonight.

He doesn’t reply. He’s either pissed, doesn’t care, or talking shit about me to the rest of the guys. I don’t really care. The only one who understands is Marshall. The other two are too busy chasing their next conquest and getting sloppy drunk.

Glancing at the clock, I realize it’s almost eleven and I need to get out of here if I’m going to make it for lunch with Charleigh. I grab my keys and run down the stairs. At least I don’t have to deal with the parents today. Since it’s the middle of the day on a Wednesday, they are at work, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

I’ve been avoiding them at all costs. Not wanting them to drag me into another fight about Tonya. I don’t understand why they are so worried about it. It’s not like I’m going to look to them to support my kid. Hell, I wouldn’t even go to them for parenting advice. All they do is tell you what’s expected and what isn’t tolerated.

Looking back on my relationship with Tonya, I realize that my upbringing had a lot to do with why we failed as a couple. I acted like the spoiled brat that I am. Any time I’ve gotten into any kind of trouble my parents waved their cash around until the issue was dropped. God, I’m such a douchebag. It’s taken me way too long to realize it. But today is another day to put my feet in the right direction.

* * *

Charleigh doesn’t even come to the door when I knock. I’m standing there, shuffling my feet, wondering if she forgot about our lunch date. There’s no way she could have forgotten. I double checked with her last night that we were on for today, and she doesn’t seem like the type of person to stand someone up.

“Come in,” Charleigh calls from somewhere in her apartment. “The doors unlocked.”

Pushing the door open, I holler back, “I’m pretty sure that’s not a smart thing to call out.”

She walks out of her bedroom in a fluffy robe and a towel wrapped around her head. Her long legs draw my attention, and I can’t help staring. Looking her over from her blue painted toes, all the way to the top of the towel, I feel incredibly lucky that she decided to give me a chance.

“Yo,” she snaps her fingers. “My eyes are up here.”

“Um, sorry.”

“I barely unlocked it five minutes ago if you were wondering.” She shakes her hair loose of the towel and her wavy hair surrounds her face. “Besides, I wasn’t expecting anyone else.”

I laugh, “I don’t think a serial killer would care if you were expecting them or not.”

“True,” she pauses. “But I don’t think they would knock at all.”

Touche. “You aren’t dressed.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, I just didn’t want you to be late for work.”

“I got in late last night and slept through my alarm this morning. Let me go get dressed really quick.”

She throws the towel in an overflowing basket right outside her door. She starts untying her robe as she passes through the door but is around the corner before I assume she takes it off to put on whatever she’s wearing. A small, okay big, part of me is disappointed her robe didn’t slip to the floor sooner, but I don’t want to be that guy. The one that is all about the physical and none of the emotional aspects of a relationship. I’m trying to be different than before, but right now she’s making that incredibly hard.

I don’t know what to do while I wait. Sitting here twiddling my thumbs doesn’t sound like a good idea. My mind will just wonder how Charleigh looks under that robe. A little tour around her apartment seems like a good way to use my time. It will give me a peek into who she is outside of the tattoo shop.

The kitchen is full of mismatched appliances, dishes and knick-knacks. My mother would have a heart attack because of that alone. Some of the dishes are older, but she has a few square modern plates sitting in the cabinet. All of the counters, and cabinets, are painted white, but they look distressed on purpose. It’s a definitely a shock from the sleek, lifeless look of my kitchen.

Opening the only cabinet that doesn’t have a glass door, I peek inside. There is a box of Fruit Loops with marshmallows. Blegh, that doesn’t even sound like a good combination. What sort of weirdo am I dating?

It feels good saying that. It’s been a long time since I’ve even considered dating anyone. Even back before I confronted Tonya about us getting back together. I didn’t want to be with anyone. I didn’t even really want to be with Tonya if I’m being honest with myself. I was just doing what I thought was the right thing to do. What my parents told me I needed to do.

Charleigh comes back into the living room while I’m getting a closer look at the art she has pinned around the mirror. She has a thing for feathers if the ones all over the pages are any indication. They draw you in, though. They are vivid, and you can see each individual piece of the feather.

“These are really good,” I say loud enough so she can hear me.

I jump when she places a hand on my shoulder. “Thanks.”

“You are like a fucking ninja,” I laugh. My words die on my lips the moment I turn around.

Charleigh is wearing a sundress with skulls all over. The perfect outfit for the date I have planned for us. It also shows off the half sleeve tattoos she has on both arms. The left side is a colorful nod to Alice in Wonderland, hats, tea cups, and clocks woven together beautifully. Her right arm has a mixture of flowers, skulls, and feathers in black with shading to tie it all together.

“I love your tattoos,” I whisper.

Her cheeks turn a bright red. A small smile appearing on her face. “I designed them and Corey did the tattoos.”

She lifts her hands to cover her face, but I grab them and pull her into me. Lifting her chin up, I make sure I have her full attention. “Don’t be embarrassed. They are a part of you.” I grin, “And, if your reaction to my tattoo is any indication, you put a lot of thought and work into them.”

She leans forward until her head is on my chest. “Thank you.” Wrapping her arms around my waist she continues, “I’m not embarrassed, but I never know how people who aren’t fans of tattooing are going to react.”

“You don’t have to worry about that with me,” I murmur into the hair piled atop her head. “I like you just the way you are.”

“Good.” She smacks my butt and jumps back. “Now, let’s get this date started.” Grabbing her bag, she leads the way to the door. “And, please tell me food is involved. I’m starving.”

“Alright, alright. Let’s go feed you.” I roll my eyes. “So, demanding.”

* * *

Going to the park to see Layla gave me an idea for this date with Charleigh. Yep, we are going on a picnic. It’s nothing fancy. I picked up a few things to make sandwiches on my way to pick her up. I’m not trying to wow her this time. I want to get to know her.

We arrive at White Rock Lake, and I pull the blanket I brought from the back seat. Jumping out of the truck, I rush around to the passenger side to open the door for Charleigh.

“We aren’t doing any outdoorsy activity, are we?” She asks while stepping down.

“Nope. We’re going to have lunch right over there under that tree.”

I picked this place because it’s kind of close to her apartment, and because it has trees. Shade is a must today. It’s barely after lunch and already the heat has me melting. Maybe coming to the park during summer wasn’t my best plan. But I didn’t want to be in a restaurant where we would have to compete with the everyday chatter just to hear each other.

Pulling the ice chest out of the bed of my truck I almost drop everything else in my hands. Charleigh rushes over, trying to take the ice chest from me. “I’ve got it,” I say.

She leans back, crosses her arms over her chest, and arches one eyebrow. How in the hell do people do that? I’m going to have to practice that move. “Obviously,” she deadpans, pointing at the blanket dragging at my feet.

I drop the ice chest to the ground. “Fine, you can carry the blanket and my keys.”

“I thought you didn’t need any help,” she teases.

“Smart ass,” I murmur under my breath.

“I heard that,” she calls back. “Better to be a smart ass than a dumbass.”

Women…how is it they can hear everything you mutter? As soon as we get under the branches of the tree, I let the ice chest plop to the ground. I think one bag of ice would have been enough. It definitely would have this thing a hell of a lot lighter.

Charleigh lifts the lid, moving things around, looking to see what all I’ve packed.

“I’m perfectly capable of putting together a picnic, you know.”

“I can see that,” she smirks. She begins putting together a couple of sandwiches for us, not giving me a chance to intervene. She also doesn’t ask what I like on mine. When she squirts a ginormous amount of mustard onto my bread, I cringe. I’m a mayo type of guy. But when she hands me sandwich, I don’t make a big deal about it. I take a huge bite, doing my best to swallow without making a face.

But she sees right through it. “You’re one of those weirdos that doesn’t like mustard, aren’t you?”

“Nah, I love it.”

“Dude, you look like your about to puke.” She’s laughing at me.

“I’m going to finish this sandwich because you made it. Mustard be damned.” My smile is wide, and I know my cheeks are puffed out because of course I’m mid chew when I make the proclamation.

“You do that.”

I finish the sandwich in four big bites, doing my best to eat it as fast as I can while also trying not to offend her. I take a swig of water to wash the taste out of my mouth.

“Sooo,” I draw out. “What made you get into tattooing?”

She smirks, “Is this an interview or something?”

“Just trying to get to know you a little better.” I shrug. “Isn’t that what you do when you’re dating someone? Ask questions?”

She rolls her eyes and takes a drink of water. “I guess. But it’s really not all that interesting.” Putting the cap back on her water bottle she continues, “I spent a lot of time watching my uncle work. I was fascinated by the art he created, and he always encouraged me to do what makes me happy. And being a tattooist at Life in Ink is my happy spot.”

“You can tell you’ve grown up with that kind of influence. It shows in the pride you take in your work. What do your parents think?”

She shrugs her shoulders and sighs. “They’re supportive for the most part.”

“I sense a but coming.”

“But…they think I should go back to school and at least some sort of degree.” She takes another drink of water. “I can see their point, and I’m thinking about it. A degree in marketing would really help get the shop’s name out there, but I don’t want to try to juggle it all either. What about you?”

“I’ve got a football scholarship and majoring in law.”

“I have a feeling that’s not what you want to do.”

“Honestly, I don’t know what I want to do.” I want to tell her about Layla but I don’t know how. And, I’m pretty sure it’s too early to even discuss children. What if I tell her and she runs for the hills? I don’t want whatever this is to end before it even begins.

“What about your parents? Are they the ones pushing you toward a law degree?” She questions.

“My parents are overbearing assholes. They only care about themselves and appearances.”

She puts her hands under chin. “Well, I hope I never have the pleasure of meeting them.”

“I’ll try my best to save you from their presence.” I really hope they never meet. Not because I’m ashamed of Charleigh, but because I don’t want her to become a target of their criticism.

The temperature is slowly rising, and even though the tree offers us some relief, I don’t want to subject her to the heat any longer.

“You ready to get out of here. I don’t want you to melt.”

“Sure, I need to get ready for work anyway.”

We gather everything up and throw our trash away. I rush to get the air conditioner blowing when we get in the truck. It might be hot as hell outside, but seeing Charleigh enjoy my simple picnic means a lot to me.

I want to linger when we get to her building, but I don’t. Not wanting to get too attached too quickly, I give her a kiss and tell her bye. Before I make it to the truck, I’m texting Randall, seeing which lake they are at. A night with the guys is way overdue.