“Yeah?”
“You didn’t show me your tattoo.” He said and then turned to face her, his dark eyes traveling the length of her trying to locate her new ink. “I ate all my vegetables.” He said pointedly.
She unraveled her legs that were tucked underneath her and stood in front of him.
“Can you remove the bandage? I probably should let it breathe a little.” She said as she lifted the hem of her shirt, revealing her flat stomach. Luke’s eyes watched as she lifted the shirt over her breasts, revealing a purple lacy bra. He swallowed and his eyes found the gauze that was taped to her side right under her breast. He sat up and leaned forward, taking his arm off the back of the couch. He glanced up at her before he started to peel the gauze from her ribcage. She hissed slightly and he looked back up at her.
“Sorry…” he murmured softly and finished taking the gauze off. His eyes moved along the script that spread along her rib cage and read ‘Sometimes you have to be your own hero.’
“Do you like it?” She asked as she tried to maneuver herself so she could look too.
His darkened gaze lifted to hers.
“I love it.” He said his gruff voice returning.
She smiled and peeled the shirt down her torso before falling back onto the couch.
“Me too, Pete did a really good job.” She turned slightly, leaning her back against the arm of the couch so she could look at him. “Oh, I have news!”
He reached behind him and cupped the back of his neck. “What’s your news?”
“I’m going to work at Riverdale Ink.” She said with a smile.
His eyes quickly found hers and he stared at her for a moment. “What do you mean you’re going to work at Riverdale Ink?”
“I was talking to Pete, and do you know he hasn’t had a day off since probably before Jake even passed away?” She rolled her eyes. “Of course you know that. He told me how he does all the ordering and bookkeeping when he’s not taking on clients. He also mentioned that he has taken on most of Jake’s regular clients. I mean he’s swamped.” She paused. “And then, there’s you… running back and forth between the garage and the tattoo parlor. I figured why not? I can do basic bookkeeping. I’ve helped Rudy out in the past and since you conveniently deposit the profits of the business into my checking account every week, it makes even more sense for me to work there.” She took a deep breath, let it out and then bit her lip as she waited for him to say something.
“Is that really what you want?” He asked softly.
“I’d like to try.” She said honestly. “That place was everything to Jake.”
“You were everything to Jake.” He whispered, understanding how the woman before him easily became everything to his brother. He saw her dip her head and he instantly regretted his words. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Cara.”
She lifted her head and looked at him. “We couldn’t keep him here, Luke.” She reached out and took his hand, lacing their fingers together. “But we can keep his business alive, together. I know that you already have been doing that with Pete’s help, but I’d like to help now too.”
He looked down at their hands and then back to her face, her beautiful face.
“Whatever you want.” He said softly, not letting her know that in the back of his mind, he wondered if she wanted to work at Riverdale Ink to hold onto Jake. Not that he blamed her. He just wished there was room inside her for Jake’s memory and what he wanted to give Cara, himself.
She smiled as she swiped the remote from his hands. “Now that that’s settled, what movie are we going to watch?”
“Whatever you want.” He repeated and leaned back against the couch lost in his own thoughts. She browsed their selection, settled on one, pressed play, and leaned back, tucking her legs under her as the movie started.
*