Enzo (Jinx Tattoos 1)

“Did you ever—”

“Don’t ask me that, Soph. I don’t think either of us will like the answer,” Aibhlinn admitted, ashamed that she’d played a part in the misery and pain of others.

“How many times have you said our past is

n’t all we are?” Sophia asked.

“Funny how things are a lot easier to say than they are to believe.”

“Isn’t that always the way?”

Aibhlinn sighed. “What do you think I should do?”

“I can’t decide for you, but I think we both know you and Enzo are meant to be. If the thing with the MC is holding you back, talk to him. Tell him the concerns you voiced to me. You’ve never been one to bite your tongue, especially not to Enz.”

“You haven’t seen him with Aoife. He’s smitten.” She sighed. “I don’t want to pop his bubble, or seem like the enemy.”

“You don’t. If that man knows anything, it’s that you always have his best interest at heart. Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room ... Keir.”

“What about him?” Aibhlinn asked.

“Are you going to tell me you don’t feel anything for him?”

“It’s never gotten that far—”

“Are you lying to yourself, or me?” Sophia asked.

Aibhlinn sighed. “What I feel for him is nothing in comparison to the way I feel about Enzo.”

“Don’t you think you owe it to both of you to make sure? Go see him again. If what you say is true, let him know you’re off the market.” Sophia’s narrowed eyes said everything.

Aibhlinn nodded. He was the physical embodiment of her past. His presence provided comfort and gave her a chance to reminisce. But it’s not something I have to have. “He’s working the shift at the gallery right now. I’ll head over that way.” She stood from the bed.

Sophia followed her lead. “Don’t let anyone rush you into anything. You always put yourself last, but this is about your happiness.”

“You always put things into perspective.” Aibhlinn hugged her friend.

“It’s part of the bestie code of conduct I think,” Sophia said.

“One day I’m going to repay you.”

“Just let Keir down easy and send him over my way. I’ve never dated an Irishman before, and I could get to see the Emerald Aisle after all.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

Ave smirked. “I’ll put a good word in for you.”

“OI, I DIDN’T EXPECT to see you today. Made my day a million times brighter,” Keir said, standing from the desk to greet her in the doorway.

“Are you busy?”

“You know weekdays are fairly slow.” He wrapped an arm around her waist.

She allowed herself a moment to enjoy his warmth and strength. He smelled like the outdoors and the air in Ireland.

“I wasn’t sure I’d see you so soon after the other night.”

Me either. “Yeah, I didn’t want to leave that as our last memory.”

“So I didn’t do anything wrong?” he asked.