Page 80 of Sugar & Ink
I leaned back and smiled like a fool. Milkshake and a blowjob?
A few seconds passed. The three dots appeared, and I held my breath. Deal.
I pushed back from the desk and closed the laptop.
Work was officially over.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Josie
The drive from Rome’s house to work had become my favorite part of the day. Well, I also liked the ride home. And then there was after dinner when Rome showed me every inch of me that he missed.
I guess the whole day was my favorite part since Rome had walked into Scoop & Swirl.
The tattoo shop came into view, and then I looked over at Scoop & Swirl.
Then, my stomach dropped.
“No,” I whispered.
Rome looked over and I felt the anger radiate off of him.
The windows. Oh God. The windows.
White paint dripped down the glass, fresh, big, and sloppy.
FAT COW
Rome swerved the bike in front of the shop and killed the engine. “What the fuck,” he growled as he took off his helmet.
I stood in front of Scoop & Swirl staring at the words.
Fat Cow.
Like I didn’t know.
Like I hadn’t spent years pinching my stomach in dressing rooms.
Like I hadn’t listened to Bruce tell me maybe I should try salads.
Like I hadn’t spent most of my twenties apologizing for taking up space.
Rome came up beside me, the tension and quiet rage rolling off of him.
I wrapped my arms around myself. “I’m so tired.” The words slipped out. Rome looked at me, but I couldn’t look back at him. “I’m just trying to move on.” I looked at the stupid words on my windows. “And somehow I’m still here.”
Rome shoved his hands into his pockets. Not because he was relaxed, but because I think he was trying really hard not to punch the glass. “I’m sorry.”
The words came out before I could stop them.
Rome snapped his head toward me. “For what?”
I shrugged.
He stared. Actually stared like he couldn’t understand what I was saying.
“You shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
