I could handle myself if and when Johnny wanted to flirt, but mostly, I thought she was probably just being friendly. You know, in the last thirty seconds. I watched Jana leave, tossing her long hair back off her shoulder.
“Your girlfriend is cute,” Johnny said as I gestured for her to have a seat.
“She’s lost her mind,” I said. I debated telling the truth or not, but decided I didn’t care enough to correct the assumption.
“I think she thought I was going to hit on you. Which I still might,” she said, giving me a sassy grin. “You’re not bad to look at.”
“Thanks. And I could see how you could inspire jealousy.” What? Jana wasn’t my girlfriend and Savannah was dating random guys. I could give a compliment back to someone.
“Is she going to come over here and try to girl fight me?” Johnny sat down in her tight jeans and leaned back into the chair, her tits spilling out of her sweater.
“Jana is scrappy. You never know.” I showed her my sketch. “Now, about your tat. I was told pirate ship but I thought you were a dude, so I may be way off base here.”
She glanced at it and nodded. “I want something way more feminine.” She took her sweater off and started showing me her existing tattoos. Which wasn’t that outrageous in a shop. There was a lot of necessary nudity, and in this case, it would be important for me to see her current tats so I could stylistically tie her new one into the old.
The sad thing was, she had a great body. Her bra was sheer and I could see her nipples. And it did exactly nothing for me because I could have sworn I could still taste Savannah on my tongue.
I had gone too far with her.
And I wasn’t sure how to bring myself back.
After Johnny left I went and found Jana. “Are you done for the night?”
She was cleaning her station. “Yes, why?”
“We’re hanging out tonight, remember? According to you when you kissed me two hours ago.” I crossed my arms over my chest and eyed her.
Anyone else would have the decency to look sheepish. Not Jana. She looked proud of herself. “I had to do something. That girl was a predator. I can’t have you screwing up this thing with Savannah when we’re on the cusp of a break through.”
“I know how to deflect someone’s interest in me,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I don’t think you understand. I’m in love with Savannah. I want to marry her and make more babies with her. I’m not susceptible to anyone else.”
Jana fanned herself. “Growl. I love it. I’m texting you a list.” She was already on her phone, typing furiously.
“What kind of list?”
“Your rom-com moments. I feel like you’re doing well in the confidant category but you stepped out of order with the sex. We need to recover.” She looked up. “There. Promise me you’ll do these things.”
Curious, I pulled out my phone.
Eat ice cream with her
Take her ice skating
Go grocery shopping with her
Buy her a gift, something small
Dance with her at the engagement party
“Why ice skating?”
“Because it’s November in New York City and everyone in every movie ever in the city in November or December goes ice skating at Rockefeller Center. She’ll be eating out of your hand.”
Since I’d been accused of being pragmatic and practical I decided I had nothing to lose by listening to her. “Fine. I’m on it. But this means I get to offer you a practical guide to Brandy, the new love of your life. And it starts with not tattooing her name anywhere on your body.”
“Boo.” Her nose wrinkled. “But I guess you’ve had worse ideas.”
I laughed. “I never have bad ideas, what are you talking about?” Samuel walked past me, bouncing to the music playing overhead. “Samuel, do I have bad ideas?”