Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

Leighton laughs. “You’re nervous.”

“Yeah.” I set my glass on the bar. “Another when you get a second.”

The bartender nods sure thing. He stares at Leighton’s tits as he refills me. “You need one too, sweetheart?”

She stares at her glass like it’s the hardest question she’s ever heard. “Yeah. Sure.” She throws her head back to finish her drink then sets it on the bar.

He smiles as he refills her. He’s practically screaming get rid of this loser and come home with me.

I slide my arms around her reflexively.

My lips go to her ear. “Talk to me, baby.”

“Not here.”

“Ryan. You look great.” Mom taps me on the shoulder. “This must be your girlfriend.”

I release Leighton. “Leighton, yeah. You two have met.”

“Of course.” Mom smiles as she opens her arms for a hug. “What a dress! I wish I could pull off something like that.”

Leighton shoots me an is she for real look then goes to hug my mom. “Thank you, Mrs. Maddox.”

“Please. It’s Amelia.” She smiles. “It’s sweet of you to come.”

“Is it?” She wraps her fingers around her drink. “I couldn’t let Ryan come alone.”

“No. I suppose you couldn’t.” Mom turns to me. “Tell me the truth, honey. Was she the one who got you into this suit?”

“Yeah.” I slide my arm around her waist. “She’s the one who opened up my entire world.”

Leighton shakes her head. “That’s more credit than I deserve.”

“No. It’s less.” I pull her closer. “You’re my silver lining.”

Mom rests her hand on her heart. “How sweet. You two work together, yes?”

“For a little longer. I’m leaving to start my own graphic design studio,” Leighton says.

“She’s amazing. Better than I am,” I say.

“Really? That’s quite an accomplishment. Ryan is talented,” Mom says.

Huh?

“He really is. But then he never doubts that. He knows he’s a great designer. He knows he’s hot. But he doubts everything else,” Leighton says.

“We all have our insecurities.” Mom’s expression gets concerned.

“I know what you’re thinking. She’s drunk. It’s true. I’m a little drunk. I have a bad habit of downing vodka when I’m nervous. Like about the way Penny keeps flirting with Ryan. And the way he keeps looking at her like he’s trying to figure out if she’s what’s missing from his life.” She takes a long sip of her vodka. “I get it. My mom’s a drunk. It’s what gave me all these intimacy issues that make it hard to believe Ryan’s going to be mine. But I am working on it. The drinking.”

Mom’s brow scrunches with confusion.

“Let me take you back to the room, baby.” I help her off the stool.

She shakes her head. “No. I just need some air. And I need to stop causing a scene. Excuse me.” She cuts past me before I can answer.

I reach for her, but she’s already gone.