Page 79 (1/2)

Glad that she agreed, because I wouldn’t put it past Theo to coet up fro both of our empty plates, I carry them to the sink

“I can do the dishes,” she offers a few feet behind me

“You cooked, I’ll clean”

“Okay” She hesitates for a , “Do you mind if I take a shower?”

I turn to her “For as long as you’re staying here, I want you to treat this house like it’s your own, okay?”

A ss up her lips “Okay Thank you”

I turn back to the sink, blow out a harsh breath, and run hot soapy water in the basin I’m both nervous and anxious to see her reaction once she’s in Ink Me, wondering if it’ll spark a memory

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Jules

LUCA OPENS THE BACK door to Ink Me, and I step inside Looking around, I take this to be a small break area On one side there’s a sainst a wall Across froe and a counter with upper and lower cabinets The counter holds a s

I turn back to Luca when I hear the door close When he o to work, anxiety wasthe entire ti to show up I also just didn’t want to be alone, period But it was more than that I wanted to be where Luca was He not only makes me feel safe, but so much more I feel comfortable around him, and warm, and desired like a wo shivers down my body Not the way Theo et ahead of ive myself hope, but Luca makes me feel loved There’s no reason or rhyme for it, but it’s there anyway

“You can set your purse there” He points to the table “No one comes back here except employees, and it’ll just be us and Ella later”

I nod and set my purse down He leaves the room, and I follow him down a hallway There are several doors on either side of the hallway I peek inside each one and gather these are the roo red metal tool boxes and chairs that look like ones you see in dentist offices

When alk into an open area with two long counters, a couple of leather couches and chairs, and the walls filled with pictures of tattoos and drawings, I corab on to the wall to hold ful’s of air, trying to push the dizziness away

“Jules?” Luca’s concerned voice hasin front of me, bent at the knees so we’re eye level, his beautiful blue eyes watching me worriedly “Are you okay?”