Page 117 of Taking the Pitch
Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I pull her body into mine and place a kiss on the top of her head. “Is that her handwriting?”
She nods. “She gave this to me the day they dropped me off at college. She told me to carry it with me and if I found my anxiety to be too much to look at it and know that she was breathing with me.” Amelia swipes at her eyes and whispers, “I miss them so much.”
“I know, Mills,” I whisper into her hair, wrapping my other arm around her and hugging her tightly. “I wish I could take your pain away.”
She looks up at me, tears silently falling down her face. “You loving me for who I am, for all my flaws and struggles is morethan I could ever ask for. Your unconditional love helps ease the ache.”
I place a kiss on her soft lips, then wipe her tears away with my thumbs. “I didn’t mean for this to make you cry. I wanted this to be a happy day.”
Amelia laughs, swiping at her face some more. “It is. You’ve already done more than enough. No more crying today, promise,” she says, crossing her finger over her heart.
I suspect there will be a lot more crying today, but I can’t tell her that without ruining the surprises.
“Now, we know what I’m planning to get, but what are you getting?” she asks and motions to my arm. “Are you adding to your sleeve?”
I shake my head. “No, I actually need your help with mine.”
She gives me a confused look, but before she can say anything. Kris pops out of the back. “Hey, Judd. How’s it going?”
“Great,” I tell him, giving his outstretched fist a bump. “Amelia, this is Kris. Kris, this is my girlfriend, Amelia.”
“Good to meet you,” Kris tells her, holding his hand up in a wave.
“Likewise.”
“Alright,” Kris says, clapping his hands together once. “Should we get down to it?”
I nod and look at Amelia. “I need a favor, Shortcake.”
“Um, okay?”
Kris lays an inkpad on the counter and a blank piece of paper. “Can you touch the ink pad with your thumb, then press it to the paper?” I ask.
“Why?”
“Because I can’t get my tattoo without it.”
Amelia stares at me, eyes widening a little. “You’re gettingmythumb print tattooed onto your skin? Why?”
I smirk. “You’ll see once it’s done.”
Amelia lifts a brow at me but rolls her thumb in the ink and puts it to the paper.
“Perfect. I’ll go get it drawn up,” Kris says, passing Jade on his way to the back.
“Ok, Amelia. How does it look?” Jade asks, setting her sketch down in front of Amelia. “If you don’t like anything, let me know and we can tweak it.”
Amelia stares down at the paper, her fingers tracing over the sketch. “I love it,” she whispers, trying and failing to blink back another set of tears
“You’re positive?”
Amelia nods and swipes at her cheeks. “Yes, it’s perfect.”
“Great!” Jade says brightly. “Let’s get you in a chair, then. Judd, you can sit in the seat next to her while you wait for Kris to get done with yours.”
We follow Jade back, and she settles Amelia into her chair. I take the one to her right. She preps Amelia’s arm, then places the stencil onto her skin, checking the placement. Once Amelia gives her the ‘OK,’ she starts, telling Amelia to let her know if it’s too much so she can give her a break.
Ten minutes into Amelia’s tattoo, Kris comes out of the back and motions me over. “Be right back, Shortcake,” I tell her, getting up from the chair.
