Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

Dean chuckles. "You're gonna attract attention."

It's possible. We're at a trendy place on Abbot Kinney. The covered backyard patio is quiet but the half a dozen tables around us are full.

It's beautiful here. Cacti, flowers, red and white string lights shining against the green canopy.

Dean picks up the carafe. Refills my tiny water cup.

I finish it in three gulps.

Even sitting down, he's tall. I have to look up at him.

He's different than I remembered. But the same too. This guy, the one who insists on helping me, who fixes my tea, who cares about making sure my food is vegetarian—he asked the waiter if there was chicken broth in the Spanish rice twice—was he always there or is he new?

I don't know.

But I…

I really like him. This other Dean. And the original one too. As annoying as he is, that guy still pushes all my buttons—the hate ones and the love ones.

He takes a bite of his shrimp taco. Chews. Swallows. Licks guacamole from his lips. "You've been working at the shop a week now."

"Accurate."

"Who do you like working with best?"

"Uh." That's a loaded question if I've ever heard one. Even if Dean's the one asking it. "You really think there's a chance I'll say you?"

"How do you know that's what I'm getting at?"

"What else could it be?"

"All right. New question. You feel like you've learned a lot?"

I scoop another forkful of enchilada into my mouth. Chew. Swallow.

The last week is a blur of drawings, stencils, ink and skin, the buzz of the gun.

Dean's incessant teasing.

Ryan's quiet nods.

Walker's boyish laugh.

Brendon's… well, he's pretty much a more built, darker haired version of Ryan. Right down to the gushing about his girlfriend. And the girlfriend hanging out at the front desk a few times a week sending goo-goo eyes.

Not that the displays of affection send pangs of jealousy straight to my gut.

But you know, not all of us are lucky enough to be in love.

Or even believe in love.

They don't have to be so obvious about it.

"Chloe?" Dean scoops salsa verde onto his last taco. "You okay?"

"Wiped."

"Damn. Was gonna suggest a hike."