Page 118 of Taking the Pitch
“How’s it look?” Kris asks, handing me his drawing.
“It’s perfect.”
“You like the size?”
I nod.
“Great, let’s do this,” Kris says, leading me back to his station. Taking my shirt off, Kris preps my chest.
“You’re getting it on your chest? Can I see the design?” Amelia asks.
“Not until it’s done.”
She sticks out her bottom lip in a pout.
“It’ll be worth the wait, Shortcake. Trust me.”
“Alright, you’re all finished,” Kris says, passing me a handheld mirror.
“Looks great man. Thanks again.”
Amelia sets her phone down and turns towards me. “Can I look now?” she asks, standing from her chair. She was done thirty minutes ago and has been messing around on her phone waiting for me to get done.
I lower the mirror as she steps up to my side and looks down at the tattoo. Her thumb print is enlarged and makes up one side of the tattoo. “Ergo dum me diligis.” She reads the words that complete the other side of the heart. “What’s it mean?”
I lace my fingers between hers. “It says ‘So long as you love me’ in Latin. Because as long as you love me, Mills, we can get through anything.”
Her eyes flick to mine. “Judd,” she whispers. “It’s beautiful.” Her eyes mist over, and she blinks rapidly to hold back her tears, then smacks me lightly on the arm.
“Hey! What was that for?”
“You made me almost cry, and I saidno morecrying today.”
“It’s not my fault you’re emotional today,” I joke, earning another whack. “What was that one for?”
“For calling me emotional,” she says, giving me a smirk.
“Note to self, don’t call Amelia emotional, even when she is being emotional,” I mutter, pulling my shirt over my head once Kris has covered my tattoo.
“What was that?” Amelia asks, glancing back over her shoulder at me as we walk to the front.
I give her a cheesy grin. “Nothing, Shortcake. Just saying how much I love you.”
“Right,” she replies, not believing me one bit.
“All set?” Jade asks once we get to the front.
“Yep, thanks again, Jade. I really appreciate it.”
“Happy to do it. Plus, it’s been a while since I took someone’s tattoo virginity.”
Amelia chuckles. “Thank you for being gentle with me.”
Jade gives her a wink and waves at us as we leave the shop.
“Wait,” Amelia shouts after we get in the Jeep. “We forgot to pay.” She moves to unbuckle her seatbelt when I lay my hand over hers to stop her.
“I already paid,” I tell her.
