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“Why?”

I wasn’t sure if he were asking why I said it or why I dreamed it, so I ith the latter “I’ve always had vivid dreams, but it was the first time they weren’t about me”

He didn’t speak, and I waited I didn’t knohat difference it oing forward if I ever got the chance again

“Okay” A note of finality was in his voice “Take care of yourself”

My hand flew toa quick s, I blinked and more tears fell Even I could hear the tremble in my response this time “You too”

The line went dead

Chapter 15: Fire in the Desert

Mariska

Kenny sat beside me in the White Lotus tattoo parlor She worked quickly on the sketch pad in front of her, covering it with carbon and quickly tracing out the S-shaped pattern of little stars

“You want this to start at your hip and curl up your ribs?” Her dark brows pulled together

“Yes”

She picked up the sponge and da the stencil to un and screwed the black ink into the base

“It shouldn’t hurt too ht touch”

“I trust you” It was the first tiotten a tattoo, and all I could think of was the night we’d sat under the stars and talked The night Stuart told me his dreams, and I hinted at mine

The first touch was a stinging pain, but not unbearable Kenny’s blue eyes flickered tomy response I blinked back at her and smiled