Chapter 68
Lola
They left after a beat, the bell chiming in their wake, and Lola got to work. Her first two appointments were easy–one minimalist line piece, one floral half- sleeve session–just enough to warm her up for the day.
By the time she broke for lunch, she was in the zone–gloves snapping, music low, hands steady.
The door chimed just after one.
Kevin walked in like he was stepping into a room already watching him. Tall. Lean. Light stubble along his jaw. Tattoos curling up his neck and disappearing under a fitted black tee. In one hand, coffee; in the other, a bakery bag she already knew had her favorite croissant.
“Brought lunch,” he said, sliding it across her counter. “Can’t have my favorite artist keeling over mid–session.”
She smiled despite herself. “Smart man. Shoulder today, right?”
He nodded, gaze trailing–not subtle–over her neck before returning to her face. “Looks like somebody beat me to first appointment of the day.”
Lola smirked, reaching for his release form. “You’re late to a lot of things.”
He grinned, easy. “Guess I’ll just have to catch up.”
They moved to her station, the routine taking over–skin prep, stencil placement, gloves snapping. But she could feel his eyes tracking her even when she was behind him, lining up the needle.
Halfway through the session, the bell chimed again.
Gino strolled in like it was his own damn shop, heading straight for her counter. “You good?”
“I’m fine,” she said without looking up.
Kevin’s gaze flicked between them, curiosity sparking. “Friend of yours?”
Gino smiled, all teeth. “Family.”
The word hung there, heavier than it should have, and Kevin’s expression shifted–just slightly–before he went still under her machine again.
Kevin’s shoulder was warm under her gloves, the stencil lining up perfectly against his skin. She leaned in to press it down, and he tipped his head toward her just enough to catch her eye.
“So, how’s your week been?” he asked.
“Busy,” she said, peeling the stencil backing away. “Couple long nights. Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Kevin’s mouth curved. “Long nights, huh? Guess I should’ve booked earlier in the day.”
She smirked. “You couldn’t afford me earlier,”
That earned her a low chuckle. He didn’t look away, even when she sat down and adjusted the machine in her hand.
The bell above the door chimed.
Gino stepped in, sunglasses pushed up into his hair. “Everything good in here?”
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5:57 pm P PPP.
Chapter 68
Lola didn’t look up. “Peachy.”
Kevin raised an eyebrow. “You the bouncer?”
“Something like that,” Gino said, but his gaze stayed on Kevin. “Don’t mind me.”
He lingered near the counter until the conversation stalled, then left with a lazy wave.
Five minutes later, the bell chimed again.
“Forgot to mention,” Gino said, leaning against the doorframe, “Enzo wants me to keep an eye on you today.”
“I’m fine,” Lola said without missing a beat, guiding the needle along a curve of ink.
“Noted.” He dropped into one of the waiting chairs and made no move to leave.
Kevin glanced over his shoulder at him. “You guys running security detail for all your friends?”
“Only the important ones,” Gino said.
Lola rolled her eyes and kept working, but she could feel the tension shifting–Kevin was settling in, testing the waters.
“So,” Kevin said, “how’s it work? Do I gotta book two appointments in advance if I want you all to myself, or can I bribe you with more croissants?”
She grinned. “Depends what you want all to yourself.”
The needle buzzed steady in her hand. “Ambitious.”
The bell chimed a third time.
“Perks of the job,” she said.
Gino leaned back in his chair, hands folded behind his head. “Perks of knowing the right people.”
Kevin didn’t take the bait, but his grin didn’t fade either. “Guess I’ll have to get to know them too.”
Yeah, Lola thought, rinsing her needle, good luck with that.
The last bit of wrap stuck perfectly over Kevin’s shoulder, the fresh ink glistening under the thin layer of ointment. She reached for the tape to secure it in place when he shifted on the chair, turning toward her.
“You missed a spot,” he said, voice low.
She frowned. “No, I didn’t-”
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