TJ: Sins of the Father by Nicole James

Author:Nicole James [James, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nicole James
Published: 2024-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY: Time to Collect

Gigi—

I doodle a sketch of the sign I want on my wall. My shop has been open for a month now, and I love it. I’ve painted the name on the plate-glass window in black swirl with gold accents. It’s all capital block letters, but the first letter of each word is larger. Gypsy Soul Tattoo. I’ve had this name picked out since I was a teenager.

The original barbershop had a cool wall made up of horizontal planks in a dark variegated wood in shades of dark grays and blacks, which I’ve kept. It will work perfectly with my vision of Gypsy Soul Tattoo in shiny metal letters, backlit by a cool color. Maybe red, maybe blue, maybe purple. I can’t decide.

The bell over the door jingles, and a man walks in with a big smile.

“Randy?” I ask.

“Yes, ma’am.”

My 5:00 pm appointment. I love the smile on his face. I love when my clients are excited about getting ink. “Welcome, Randy. Let’s sit over here and discuss your design.”

He follows me to a station and hops on the barber chair. I slide the rolling table over and grab my sketchpad and pen. “You said you wanted a picture of your dog?”

“Yeah.” He pulls out a photo of an adorable German Shepard puppy.

“Aw, he’s a cutie.”

“Jack. He’s the best dog ever.”

“Where did you want the design?”

“On my right bicep.” He taps his arm. He’s wearing a tank top, so it makes it easy. I spread my thumb and forefinger apart. “About this size, or did you want it larger?”

“Larger, please.”

I bracket my two hands around an area. “Like this?”

“Yeah. Exactly.”

“Color?”

“Yes. As close to that photo as you can get.”

“Okay. Let me do up a sketch for you. While I do, please fill out these forms for me.” I hand him a clipboard and pen with the standard release paperwork, then get started sketching out the design.

Four hours later, I’m just finishing up when the bell over the door jingles. “We’re closing,” I say without looking up.

“I know. I’m your ride.”

TJ stands near the cash register with his hands in his pockets and a grin on his face.

“I’ll just be a bit longer.” I finish the last of the shading, leaning close over Randy’s arm. When I flick my eyes up, I notice his are on my cleavage. I’m wearing a tight tank top that scoops low enough to show the tops of my breasts.

When Randy sees I’ve caught him, he winks. “You do good work.”

I click my machine off and wipe the design, then hold a mirror for him to see. “What do you think?”

He takes it and checks. “Amazing. You really captured him. I can’t believe how lifelike it looks.”

I grin. “That’s my job.”

“You do great work. I’ll have to tell my friends.”

“Please do.”

“You free after you close up?” He spares a quick glance toward TJ, who’s now sitting on a chair, his knees spread, his elbows on them, and his boot bouncing a mile a minute.

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