427 First Ave. - Cherry Falls Romance

I can see the frown on her face and as soon as I said it, I knew I shouldn’t have. Don’t get me wrong. I love seeing my sister happy, but I do miss seeing her. She and David are all about each other, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if I have to buy a bridesmaid dress sooner rather than later.

“I’m sorry, Ginger. You’re right. I know I’ve been busy.” And she gets that sweet look on her face that she gets when she’s thinking of David.

I barely resist rolling my eyes at her. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so happy for Honey. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s her. She is absolutely the sweetest person I know, and I love seeing her and David together. And I do miss seeing her, but if I’m being completely honest, I’m a little jealous too. I want what she and David have.

I start to backtrack a little, realizing that I’m putting the guilt trip on a little deep. “Well, I’m not wanting you to feel guilty. I just didn’t want to do this by myself, that’s all.”

We’re standing outside the Cherry Bomb Tattoo Parlor, and Honey asks me, “And you made your appointment with Ozzie, right? David’s good friends with him, and he trusts him.”

“Yes, sis. I have an appointment with Ozzie,” I tell her for what seems like the hundredth time. I don’t see what the big deal is, though. I’m sure anyone in there with a license is capable of doing the little tattoo that I have picked out.

But if it means my sister coming with me, I can do what she asks and have her and David’s friend do it.

Honey opens the door and waves me in as she follows in behind me. We look around, and Honey opens some books, flipping through all the artwork. I walk over to the corner, looking at all the different designs on the wall when a man comes into the lobby from the back.

His gaze instantly lands on my sister, and he smiles. “Hey, Honey.”

Honey looks up at him. “Hey, Ozzie. This is my sister, Ginger.”

Honey points over to me, and I don’t have any time to shut my mouth, which has dropped open. Ozzie is all man. His arms are covered in tattoos. He has hair that is a little longer and hangs over his brow. His dark eyes seem almost black as he looks back at me. Stunned, I can barely get a word out, so it’s more of a grunt.

Honey’s head flips toward me, and I know she’s surprised. I’m usually the one that is flirty and comfortable in any situation. I’ve never been stunned silent. Not until now.

Ozzie is staring back at me, but it’s hard to tell what he’s thinking. There’s no smile, no frown, nothing. He’s just looking at me, and for a second, I think he’s looking at me in interest. But maybe that’s just me hoping. His eyes travel down my body, and I swear his gaze burns into me as it goes back up to my face. My whole body feels like it’s twenty degrees hotter. If him looking at me does this, I can just imagine what it would be like if he touched me. I rub my thighs together at the thought of it.

Finally, I snap out of it. “I’m still deciding what I want.”

“But—” Honey interrupts.

I give her a look, hoping she can tell that I want her to be quiet, and thankfully she shrugs her shoulders and closes her mouth. Her eyes are as big as saucers, so I know she’s trying to figure out what the heck is going on with me. This is definitely not like me. Not at all. I’m the flirt. I’m the one that is nice and over friendly with everyone, so for me to be stunned quiet, I know she doesn’t know what to think.

Ozzie nods his head, his eyes looking at me curiously. “Okay, if you want to look at the books and try to get an idea, I just finished my last tattoo so I’m going to clean up the room before I take you back.”

I nod my head, not trusting my voice.

When he walks back out the door he just came in, I run over to Honey. “You have to go.”

“What?” she asks loudly, confusion etched on her face.

I put my hands on her shoulders and turn her toward the door. This is completely out of character for me. I don’t even know what I’m doing at this point, but I know I want to be alone with Ozzie. “I want to do this by myself. I got it.”

She’s walking toward the door, but she’s shaking her head at the same time. “Ginger, I don’t know about this.”

“What? You said he’s friends with David, and he trusts him. It will be fine.”