Hating You, Loving You (Inked Hearts 4)

How the fuck do people deal with this? It's a head trip.

I focus on the shit I do understand. "Pick up the banana."

She does.

"Try the first one freehand."

She nods.

"What are you gonna do?"

"A star."

"Practicing for me?"

"Uh-huh." She nods, but the words aren't making it to her brain.

Her gaze fixes on the banana. She sets it on the table. Brings the gun to its flesh.

She gasps as the needle hits the peel.

"It's not quite like skin. But it's similar," I say.

She nods. Stares intently as she drags the needle up to a point, then down from it.

It takes her a minute to draw all five points.

She turns the gun off.

Sets it on the table.

Looks up at me with all the wonder in the world. "I really did that."

"How was it?"

"Awesome." She stares at the banana. Just stops herself from tracing the ink.

It's a good first attempt. The lines are messy, the symmetry is lacking, but the shape is there.

"Do five more," I say.

"On this banana?"

I nod.

Her eyes meet mine. "Are you going to stand there?"

"I dunno. Am I your teacher?"

"Oh. I just mean…" She nods to the chair on the other side of the desk. "You could sit."

"Sure." I grab the chair. Roll it next to her. Sit. But it's no good. She's too close. I can smell her floral shampoo. And the lavender scent of her soap. And beneath that, something all Chloe.

Her dark eyes fill with focus as she picks up the gun. She still gasps when she turns it on, but it's softer. Like she's getting used to it.

She draws another freehand star. It's better, but it's still not there.

I don't give her a chance to reflect. "Keep going."