"Fuck no. Who would annoy me all day?" I tease.
Joel winks at me.
Ethan nudges me.
"You realize there are thousands of other tattoo artists in Southern California," I say.
Ethan nods.
Violet and Piper stand and look at me.
Then Kit.
"Thank you for your attention. This is a very fucking important announcement." Ethan motions to me like he's announcing the headlining act.
Everyone is staring at me.
Fuck, I know how to work a room.
Just not this particular room.
I take a deep breath and exhale slowly.
These words want to be out. I'd rather save them for Lacey, but I need practice if I don't want to fuck this up again.
"I'm in love with Lacey," I say.
Piper's eyes light up.
Violet claps her hands together.
Someone is ooohing.
Someone is awwing.
Someone else is teasing about something.
It's all at my expense, but it's because my friends love me.
Because they care.
I turn to Ethan. "Now help me get her back."
He beams. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
43
Mal
I don't really breathe until I'm parked in front of Lacey's building. I'm late. I have enough time to do all this before the funeral, but I'm cutting it close.
My next breath is just as shallow. This must be what stage fright feels like for everyone else. My body is buzzing with nervous energy. My stomach is light. My entire fucking head is light.
A breeze could blow me away.
I force myself to take a slow inhale as I step out of the car. Then it's a slow exhale.
This is a time for a fucking declaration in the sky, but all I have is myself. My words. My body. My heart.