Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

"Yeah. But most things do." She scoops veggies into her mouth. "You were right. This place is good. Romantic. But good."

"Orgasms per fuck?"

Her cheeks flush. "Yeah. But you have to define what a fuck is."

"How do you?"

"Um. Well. One session. Where you stay in the same place. Start to finish."

"How am I doing?"

"Excellent marks."

"I feel judged."

"Then why'd you ask?"

I stare back into her eyes. I don't know what to make of her. This whole methodical attempt at self-improvement is the opposite of the way I approach my life.

I know better than to write off shit.

If it works, it works.

But why does her life need this much fixing?

"How do you feel?" I cut a slice of steak. "You never said."

She presses her lips together. Her eyes go to the table. "Listen, Walker, I like you and I really do want to be friends. But this is kinda personal."

"I get that." If there's anything I understand, it's keeping shit that bothers me locked up somewhere safe.

"This… um… this breakup." She fumbles over the word. "It's been hard. All my old friends are on his side. And um, everything is just different. You know? I feel different. And I spend my time differently. And I'm trying to do all the things I used to love, but they feel different. I don't love them as much as I used to and I don't know why or how to change it and… And it's just a lot. Okay?"

"Yeah."

"So, can we talk about something else?"

"A breakup did all this?"

Her brow furrows. Like she's thinking of an explanation. Or maybe a lie. "It doesn't matter. I want my life to change. So I'm changing it."

"That's admirable."

"Thanks." Her eyes go to her tattoo. You are not your mistakes. "What, um, what do you do for fun? When you aren't doing this? Or surfing?"

"I read a lot. Watch a lot of movies. Go out with Dean. Or with the other guys. Work out. Go hiking."

She nods. "Nature. I think that's one of them."

"We're going on a hike next weekend. You want to join?"

"Oh. Maybe. I don't want to impose."

"Nah. You're welcome."

"You and…"

"And Dean. We're both working until early afternoon. We're all working all the time. It's a whole thing. We're supposed to hire another artist, but Ryan hates everyone."