Inking Up Love (Insta Love Shy Girl Romance 4)

She got up, gloriously naked, and put on some old purple slippers that were hiding under her bed.

Grabbing her comforter, I took her by the hand and led her into the living room then out to the balcony. Holding it up like a curtain, she stepped over the ledge and into my arms as I wrapped it around both of us so that we could look up at the moon.

“Ready to be a hippie again?” I asked.

She giggled sweetly. “Sure.”

“By the light of the full moon, and the exquisite light in your eyes, I give myself to you, Leah. I will be your boyfriend, your husband, your protector, your lover, and your closest friend forever.”

I could hear the back of her teeth rattle as she tried not to cry. Placing her graceful hand on my chest, she smiled up at me. “Grant, you’ve already been my inspiration, my teacher, and a great comfort. I will be your girlfriend, your wife, your lover, your best friend, and hopefully everything else you ever need me to be, forever.”

“I love you,” I murmured.

“I love you,” she said softly, stretching up to kiss me.

I knew it might be silly, even ridiculous. But somehow, saying those words so clearly while outside under the moon made everything completely official. Permanent.

“I think I’d like you to design a tattoo with me,” I said.

Her eyes grew wide. “I thought that getting a tattoo for someone else was bad luck?”

I shrugged. “Some people believe that. I would never get someone’s name. But I’d like you and I to design something together, and have it inked on me as a symbol of our… Foreverness. Is that a word?”

Leah laughed. “It is now.”

We melted into each other, kissing while the moon watched over us.

EPILOGUE

* Leah *

* A Year And A Half Later *

It was so exciting seeing our families and closest friends all gathered together in our new home. They had no idea that this was going to be a very different sort of housewarming party.

From the kitchen window, I could see Grant in the backyard with our new puppy Daphne running around his ankles while he chatted with our fathers. Our mothers were getting along beautifully, chatting at the dining room table about a favorite restaurant they had in common, and how the six of us should go there together soon.

I did a quick headcount of the backyard, then walked around our spacious living and dining rooms, counting heads again.

It was funny how nervous I was with strangers and new experiences, but Grant had been helping build me up, finding my strength. In a clear voice, I called out, “Everyone out to the back yard, please!”

Soon the yard was packed with around fifty people, as Grant and I stood together in the center.

“Thank you all for coming,” he began. “We wanted to start our new lives together by filling our home with the love and laughter of our family and friends.”

Grant looked devastatingly handsome in nice slacks and a black button-down shirt, but I’d asked him to roll up the sleeves. I didn’t want him to hide his tattoos for my family, or anyone. Especially the new one on the inside of his forearm that we designed together of the full moon cradled in a bright green leaf. My parents didn’t say a word about the art he wore, only that they loved the way he treated me.

He wrapped a thick arm around me, giving me a squeeze. The breeze caught my hair, where I’d pinned a couple of the Peruvian lilies we both liked. It set off the light pink of my flowy dress. I thought we looked summery and perfect, and couldn’t wait to get some cute photos of us together in our new garden.

Daphne was running around excitedly, and Grant’s father knelt down to pet her and settle her down.

“Thanks, Dad,” Grant laughed. Then he turned to me, watching my eyes carefully. “Did you want to say anything, baby?”

I nodded, taking a deep breath. “You know that we’re simple people. We don’t like a lot of fuss, and I don’t like people staring at me.” I glanced around shifty-eyed until both of our moms were cracking up. “So we thought, since the people who are most important to us are already here for our housewarming party, we might as well multi-task.”

We grinned while everyone else looked confused.

Then Grant leaned in to kiss me lightly, taking my hand and turning me to a tall man in black who had taken his place at the end of the yard. The man smiled warmly, holding up his hands and waving us closer, as Grant and I stood before him.