Miles

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“You going to get that?” I ask Harlow as her phone buzzes on the desk next to her.

“Yeah, I just have to enter this one thing.” She types something out on the computer and punches the enter key. “There, all done.” She lets out a sigh of relief.

I’ve been sitting here watching her work for the last hour, my sketch pad in my lap. I’m supposed to be working on a design for one of my clients, but instead, I’ve been sketching Harlow’s face. I can’t help it; she’s just so damn beautiful. How could I not want to put that down on paper?

Harlow’s entire demeanor shifts when she turns her attention to her phone. She hesitates for less than a second before picking it up and answering.

I watch ten different emotions pass over her face before a slow smile forms on her lips.

“Are you serious?” she practically squeals into the phone. “Oh my god, Monica. I can’t thank you enough for this.”

She pauses, presumably listening to whatever the other person is saying.

“Uh huh. Yep. I got it.” Another pause. “Okay. I will. Thank you so much.” She ends the call and breaks into a loud squeal seconds before jumping to her feet. “He signed!” she announces excitedly.

“Huh?” I question, having yet to catch up.

“Alan. He signed the papers!”

“That’s amazing!” I stand just in time for her to propel herself into my arms.

“I can’t believe it.” She squeezes me tightly, her face going into the crook of my neck as I lift her from the ground.

I hold her for a long moment before slowly lowering her back to her feet.

“So what happens now?” I ask, keeping my hands on her shoulders.

“Monica will file the paperwork with the courts, and it should be final within the next month or so.” She bounces up and down on the balls of her feet.

“Wow. That’s fast.”

“Since I didn’t ask for anything, all we had to do was sign paperwork saying we agreed on everything. The only real problem was getting him to sign. But now that he has it should be smooth sailing,” she rattles off, a little out of breath. “I can’t believe I’m finally going to be free.”

“We should celebrate,” I offer, feeling about as relieved as she looks. I knew how heavy this was weighing on her and I’m glad that fucktard of an ex-husband wised up and signed. Otherwise, I may have had to pay him a little visit in Arizona – something I’ve considered more than once.

“Not yet.” She steps back. “I don’t want to jinx it.”

“When it’s final then?”

“When it’s final,” she agrees, her smile wider than I think I’ve ever seen it.

“It’s a date,” I tell her, pulling her back into my arms. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to come home with me tonight?” I try again, hoping to capitalize on her good news.

“I really shouldn’t.” She looks up at me, laughing when I pout out my lower lip.

“Please,” I playfully beg.

“You’re awful.” She shakes her head, her gaze going behind me seconds before she jumps out of my embrace. “Hey, what are you doing here?” I turn just in time to see Winston slide into the office.

“I have an appointment.” His gaze slides to me.

“Fuck, is it six o’clock already?” I glance down at my watch, not sure how the hell time got so far away from me.

He nods. “What’s going on in here?” he asks, his gaze jumping between  his sister and me.

“Alan signed the papers,” she squeals.

“Holy shit. That’s amazing, Low!” Winston instantly pulls his sister into a hug.

“Thank you.” She pulls back, her earlier smile returning. “So what are you having done today?”

“Not me. Stella.”

“Stella’s getting a tattoo?” Harlow seems a little surprised.

“She has four already,” he tells her, chuckling softly.

“She does?”

“Yep, and this guy has done every single one of them.” He hitches his thumb toward me. “Unlike me, she actually makes an appointment and waits months to get in.”

“She does it the right way,” I take a playful shot at Winston.

“I take it these tattoos aren’t visible?” Harlow interjects. “There’s no way I didn’t notice she has tattoos.”

“Shoulder, hip, lower back, and the inside of her ankle. All the places you wouldn’t really notice unless she was in a bathing suit or something,” I explain.

“Where is she getting this one?”

“On her foot,” Winston answers Harlow’s question.

“Oh, that’s awesome. I was thinking about doing my foot next.”

“You were?” I ask. “You know the foot is one of the most painful places to get ink, right?”

“So? I think I can take it.” She squares her shoulders, her hands going to her hips.

“I tell you what. You hang around, and when I’m finished with Stella, I’ll tat your foot.”

“Seriously?” She arches a brow.

“Seriously.” I grin.

“This is fucking weird,” Winston grumbles pulling both of our gazes back to him.

“What is?” Harlow asks first.

“This.” He gestures between the two of us. “Seeing you two all buddy-buddy. I’m used to playing the middleman to keep you guys from killing each other. It’s just weird.”

“Would you like us to go back to hating each other?” I ask jokingly.

“Nah, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. Just different is all.”

“Come on, man.” I clasp him on the shoulder. “Let’s get this woman of yours inked.”

“You coming, Harlow? I’m sure Stella would much rather gossip with you than have to listen to Miles and me.” Winston turns toward his sister.

“I don’t gossip.” She crosses her arms in front of her chest dramatically.

“Yeah. Okay.” He chuckles. “You coming or what?”

“I’ve got a few things to finish here first. I’ll pop in when I’m done,” she tells Winston before her eyes come to me. “What room are you going to be in?”

“Probably B. I’m pretty certain that one’s open for the night.”

“Okay.” She nods, quickly turning and walking around the office desk.

I throw her one last glance before following Winston out of the office.

——

“How bad is it?” Harlow leans forward, watching me fill in the green vine that extends down Stella’s foot.

I glance in her direction and for a moment lose my breath. That’s what Harlow does to me. She takes my fucking breath away.

I’ve always thought Stella was attractive. The perfect match for Winston. Tall and slender with long blonde hair and sky blue eyes. But next to Harlow she blends into the background. Harlow is like the sun. When you look directly at her, you are blind from seeing anything else when you look away.

I expected for her to join us an hour ago, but clearly she was trying to make herself sparse. Don’t get me wrong. I get it. Neither of us are ready for Winston to find out about us. At least not until we know where this is going.

I keep telling myself this is just another hookup and the fewer people that know, the better. But deep down even I know that’s not the case. I think maybe I’m just not quite ready to announce that to the world yet.

“It’s pretty bad.” Stella cringes, pressing her head back into the chair.

“It looks awesome though.” Harlow smiles.

“It better for how painful it is.”

“Maybe I should reconsider.” She looks down at me and then back up to Stella.

“No, you’ll be fine. I’m just a huge baby.” Stella swipes her hand through the air.

“It’s true,” I agree. “She’s complained this way with every tattoo I’ve done. You handled yours like a champ.”

“Thanks, I think.” She switches her weight from one foot to the next. “Where’s my brother anyway?” She looks around the room, clearly just noticing he’s not here.

“I made him go out and get me an iced caramel latte,” Stella informs her. “I’m in need of calories. All the calories.”

“Women.” I chuckle to myself.

“Hey, I heard that.” I can feel Stella’s glare on the side of my face, but I keep my eyes focused on what I’m doing.

Over the last couple of years I have gotten to know Stella pretty well, and while she can be a bit over the top at times, I love her for Winston. But I think I love fucking with her even more. She’s really easy to rile up and poke fun at.

“Good. I meant for you too.” I grin, dabbing the needle in more ink.

The buzz of my gun once again fills the room and the conversation lulls for a long moment. Harlow takes a seat on the opposite side of Stella and watches me from a distance.

Even though she’s too far away to reach out and touch, it’s the only thing I can think about doing. I can’t wait to get Stella done so I can move onto Harlow. There’s something about pressing the needle into her perfect skin that does something to me. With everyone else, it’s just part of my job, but with Harlow, I’m leaving my mark, permanently etching myself into her body. It’s a part of me she’ll never be able to get rid of, and I like knowing I’ll always be with her in that way.

“Did you hear anything from the apartment complex?” I finally ask, glancing up at Harlow as I dab the needle in more ink.

“No.” She frowns. “The guy did say that it would depend on how quickly my background check came back. He said sometimes it could  be within an hour or two while others can take up to three days.”

“You applied for an apartment?” Stella joins in on the conversation.

“I did. Just a few blocks from here.” Harlow crosses one leg over the other as she gets comfortable. “I love my brother, but I’m dying to have my own place. Besides, maybe once I’m gone you can finally move in there.”

“That would require your brother asking me to move in with him.” Stella rolls her eyes and huffs. “Besides, I think it would be him moving in with me. My apartment is way nicer.” She grins. “Don’t tell him I said that.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” Harlow pats her forearm. “Maybe you should ask him to move in with you.”

“I’ve thought about it, but I’m kinda old fashioned in that way. I think he needs to be the one to ask.”

“I get that. But then again you know Winst, it takes him longer than most to catch up.”

“Well, he better hurry up. Otherwise, I’m going to find someone who’s ready for the kind of commitment I’m looking for.”

“I don’t think you’ll be waiting for that much longer,” Harlow reassures her. “I’ll be happy to give him an elbow to the ribs if you think he needs a nudge.” She grins.

Harlow knows what I know, that Winston is planning on proposing to Stella. Or at least that’s the last I heard, but it’s not like either of us can say that to her.

“Who needs a nudge?” Winston steps in the room, clearly catching the last part of the conversation.

“Give me. Give me.” Stella reaches out for her cup, ignoring his question.

“Give me a second, woman. I gotta figure out which one is yours.” He turns, setting the drink carrier on the counter that lines the back wall.

I sit up, stretching out my back for a moment allowing Stella to move around for a second.

“Here.” Winston steps up next to the chair and slides her cup into her hand before dropping a quick kiss to the top of her head. “Got you a regular coffee, man. Figured you could use the caffeine,” he says, turning toward me.

“I appreciate that.” I nod, taking a quick drink of the hot liquid as soon as it’s in my hand.

“And for you.” He turns back and grabs another cup out of the carrier before pivoting toward Harlow. “I wasn’t sure what you drink these days, but I know this used to be your favorite.”

“A non-fat vanilla latte with extra foam?” She grins up at her brother.

“That’s what you like?” He looks momentarily confused. “Well hell, I thought you were the one who liked the Macchiato things.”

“I’m just messing with you.” Harlow laughs, taking the cup from her brother.

“Lord, you’re as bad as Stella.” He shakes his head. “These women, dude.” He looks at me and grumbles.

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that,” Stella interjects, biting on the straw sticking out of her whipped cream covered drink.

“Say what, dear?” Winston looks back at her and bats his eyelashes.

“Pretty sure that only works for women,” Harlow teases her brother.

“Bull shit. Why can’t men bat their lashes and get away with shit too?”

“Because men don’t have vaginas,” Stella says loudly causing Harlow to nearly choke on her drink.

“On that note.” Harlow stands. “I think I’m going to leave you three to it.”

“I thought I was going to tattoo you next.” I stop just as I’m about to press the needle to Stella’s foot and look up at Harlow.

“I’m actually kind of tired. Rain check?”

“What she means is she has watched you torture me long enough and has decided she wants no part of it.” Stella laughs.

“That might also be true,” Harlow agrees as she turns, offering her stool to Winston. “Will you be home after this?”

“Probably not. I think I’m staying at Stella’s tonight.”

“Okay, well I guess I’ll see you all later. Stella, make sure you send me pictures of the finished product.”

“You know I will.”

“If the guy from the apartment calls I might be in a little later than normal tomorrow,” she tells me.

“No problem. Just shoot me a text and let me know what time you’ll be in,” I respond, wishing I could say a hell of a lot more.

“Will do.” She nods before heading toward the door.