by Shyla Colt
“It’s gotten thicker since you started hanging with me.”
“I can hear the pride in your voice right now,” she said.
“More proof I’m good for you, Aibhlinn Leahy.”
She turned her head, and her breath hitched. Had he always been standing so close? His breath was cloudy and white, and a mixture of sweet and mint. The smell of cologne teased her nostrils; it was something dark and woodsy. Leaning in, she inhaled deeply. His eyes dilated, and she could see the intent to move closer. Shit. “You smell good. What is that?”
“Wonderwood,” he answered.
She stepped back. “I think it is strudel time.” She spun on her heel, trusting he was following her as she made a beeline for the closest garbage can. Dumping her cup, she turned to see Keir behind her studying her with his dark brown eyes.
“I’m getting to you, aren’t I?” he asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Mmm-hmm, are we playing that game, then? All right. I’ll play along,” he drawled.
She cleared her throat. “Fresh strudel?”
He nodded. He let her drop the subject, but the knowing smirk said he wouldn’t forget the almost kiss. They wove their way through the crowd and joined the lengthy line. Tension built between them, stretching tauter by the second. He stood close enough for her to share his warmth and his scent was becoming intoxicating.
Her face felt hot. She tugged at her scarf to allow the cool air to quench the fire. He was cracking the wall she’d built up and creeping his way inside. Is that really so bad? Enzo was working on getting himself healthy. Shouldn’t she do the same? There was nothing wrong with casual dating. Dating with this man could never be casual, though ... The attraction between them was too strong. Her mother loved Keir, and seeing her with the son of one of her childhood friends would tickle Colleen Leahy pink. Maybe this is the reason it never worked with Enzo. She tried to weigh the pros and cons, but life was too unpredictable to fit inside a box. Sophia adored him. Her bestie had formed an instant crush when they all got together to bowl. The two had connected and become fast friends, and Sophia was rooting for him.
Their turn came in line, and she eyed the golden brown pastries packed full of delicious fruit. “Can I get a slice of the apple strudel, please?” she asked. Her mouth watered as the vendor handed over a thick slice. The glaze on the apples, visible through the slits of the crisscross design the baked good had been formed into, was picture perfect. She took her prize and stepped to the side while Keir ordered. She smirked when he chose raspberry. That was her second favorite.
“I hope this lives up to the hype,” he said.
“It will, trust me,” she replied, taking a bite. The crisp exterior and gooey center exploded in the flavor of cinnamon and sweetness. She hummed. Is it possible for this to get better every year? She closed her eyes, chewing slowly. She was a sucker for baked goods, and her hips and arse showed it. Opening her eyes, she covered her mouth to speak. “What do you think?”
“I’ll admit it’s pretty good,” he said.
She snorted. “Pretty good? It’s amazing.”
He laughed. “Okay, okay, it’s amazing.”
She nodded her head. “Much better, Keir.”
“You have something just there,” he said, brushing the side of his lip.
She did the same. “Did I get it?”
“No,” he murmured, leaning forward to wipe the corner of her mouth. His thumb brushed her bottom lip.
She gasped and he pressed their lips together. Her lips tingled.
“Hey, Aibhlinn, fancy seeing you here.”
The familiar voice made her heart sink. She glanced around Keir to see blazing blue eyes. “Enzo,” she whispered.
Keir turned around and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Good to see you again. It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has.” Enzo stared at the arm looped around her waist. “I see a lot’s changed.”
“I’m working on it,” Keir said.
“Hmmm,” Enzo replied. His eyes were on fire, and his scowl was black.
She mentally cringed. He’s pissed.
“Hey, Aibhlinn,” Silas said, drawing her attention to him and his brother.
“Hey, guys. Keir, these are Enzo’s brothers, Silas and Rhys. Guys, this is my friend Keir. He works with my mother at the gallery.”
Keir released his hold on her and moved forward to talk to the others.
Her mind went blank as her gaze locked with Enzo’s. There was anger and pain in his blue depths. She felt sick to her stomach. “You guys out enjoying the square?” she asked softly.
“Yeah, the whole family. Mom and Dad and a few of their current foster kids are here, too.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice, so only she could hear him. “You on a date?”
She shook her head no.
“That’s not what it looked like to me,” he said.
“You told me not to wait for you, Enzo.”
“So, you hook up with him?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but that’s not what’s happening.”
“Yet,” he countered.
She huffed. “Don’t come at me like this. Because you won’t like what I do. You were the one who couldn’t give me what I want. Should I disregard my own emotions and your advice and wait? No. I’m done with that, En.”
They pulled away like fighters called to their corners at the end of the round. She wasn’t sure who won round one.
Chapter Seven
Enzo
He couldn’t get the sight of Keir kissing Aibhlinn out of his mind. She’d been shocked—he could tell by the way her eyes went round—but she didn’t push him away.
He speared his fingers through his hair. I did this. He was making progress in counseling. They were bringing the darkest parts of his soul to the light, and he was trying to let go. It was a process he couldn’t rush.
Doc had told him that over and over. She thought he was making good progress, but it felt like he was moving at a snail’s pace. Because I left it too long.
“Okay, I’m just going to ask what everyone else is thinking. Who the hell was that?” Rhys said.
“That was Keir, some Irish bloke that works with her mother at the gallery. Apparently, he’s the son of her mother’s best friend back in the day.”
“And they’re dating?” Silas asked.
“I don’t know. She’s never mentioned it to me. I knew she’d been showing him around town.”
“More than that ... it looks like,” Rhys said.
Enzo glared at him.
“For once in your life, stop stirring up shit,” Silas snapped.
“What? He waited too long, and now she’s moved on,” Rhys remarked.
“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” Enzo growled.
Rhys shrugged. “Not really. But it’s time you both stopped fucking around.”
“You know nothing about what we do.” Enzo took a step toward his baby brother, ready to silence his mouth with his fist.
“To your corner, boys,” Noah barked.
They turned to find the older man leaning against the doorframe. “Want to tell me what I missed that has you two ready to throw down?” Noah asked, talking around the ever-present toothpick that dangled out of the side of his mouth.
“Touchy topic. We ran into Aibhlinn last night, and she was in mid-kiss with someone else,” Silas explained.
Noah grunted. “Should’ve jumped on that a long time ago, boy. I told you how I felt about that.”
Enzo scowled. He didn’t need scolding. He wasn’t a child. He got that he’d screwed up.
“Way I figure it, you got two choices. Get your ass in gear and fight for her, or let her go, and get over it. Only you can make that decision. In the meantime, we’re here for a shop meeting, so let’s shelve the domestic shit.”
Enzo stood down, clenching his jaw as he gave a quick nod. Now wasn’t the time or place.
“Let’s talk numbers, Silas
,” Noah stated as they all took seats in the office.
“We’re doing excellent. This is double what we made this year last time. Our books are full of appointments, and the investment in advertising is clearly working,” Silas said.
“What’s our gross for this month?” Noah inquired.
“We’re on track to make about thirty grand this month,” Silas replied.
“Damn, nothing to shake a stick at.” Noah ran his finger over his beard.
“Where do you think we could improve to bring in more business?” Enzo asked. They had steady business, but he wanted them packed. He wanted to hire new artists, possibly start some apprenticeships, and that would take more income.
“Invest more into advertising,” Silas suggested. “While word of mouth is good, we have to get our name out there for people to know they could go to us. That article you did with the local paper was a great start. I’m going to see if we can get more interest from other local media. Maybe we could go in with one of the radio stations for one of their contests next year. This year is almost over, so we’re looking ahead at this point.”
“Might be good to think about hiring someone who knows how to advertise,” Rhys added.
“First helpful thing you said all day, son,” Enzo stated.
Rhys flipped him the bird, and Enzo returned it with two of his own.
“Okay, children, focus,” Silas chided.
“Jesus, you’re a fifty-year-old trapped inside a thirty-year-olds’ body,” Rhys said, making them all laugh.
“Someone has to keep you two on track. You might not mind pissing away your Sunday, but I have plans,” Silas said.
Noah laughed. The man had a point. “Anything else on the agenda?” Noah asked.
“No questions over here,” Enzo answered.
“Me either,” Rhys said.
“All right, so we need to look into finding an advertising expert, and then talk about what we’ll do next, once they’re on board and draw up plans,” Silas announced.
“Can I leave you in charge of that, brother?” Noah asked.
“Yeah, I can do it, no problem,” Silas said.
“You know he’d be questioning every step of the way if anyone else tried to do it,” Enzo teased.
“So? I’m thorough,” Silas defended.
“Is that what they’re calling OCD these days?” Rhys asked.
Enzo snickered.
“Says the laziest brother,” Silas countered.
“Ladies, you’re both pretty. Chill out,” Enzo said.
“Tell me again why going into business with three brothers was a good idea?” Noah asked.
“Because you taught us all, so you know we’ll tattoo properly,” Enzo replied.
“Yeah, there’s that,” Noah said.
The conversation shifted to less important things, like ordering equipment and supplies.
Enzo enjoyed the familiar conversation. He understood what it took to run a successful tattoo shop. For all the shit his brothers gave him, they worked well together and wanted to prove themselves capable of good things just as badly as he did. They’d all been written off early on in life. It made them hungry for achievement and accomplishment. It was why they’d climbed the ranks so fast. They’d set the bar high right out the gates, and earned a reputation for solid work, done swiftly for a fair price. As time passed, they raised their prices accordingly and kept their clients.
They ended their meeting, and he moved to his chair, grateful for his full schedule. It would be a relief from the mental anguish ripping him to shreds from the inside out.
EXHAUSTED, HE PLOPPED onto his sofa, popped open a fresh bottle of whiskey, and took a long drink. This was the moment he’d dreaded all day—when he would find himself alone in his house. Was Rhys right, or was Noah? Had he lost Ave, or should he be gearing up to fight? Why would now be any different from before? He was in the process of healing, but he had a long way to go, and setbacks were to be expected. So, how can I ask her to put her hat in the ring with me? He took another swig and closed his eyes. This would be the point where he blamed his mother for all his woes, but he had to take responsibility for the way he chose to deal with the fucked up shit she did. It was a painful thing. He tightened his grip on the neck of the bottle; his knuckles turned white.
His mother was a strung out junkie who had no concept of right or wrong, and no business trying to raise a child. He did what he needed to do to survive, but he wasn’t that person anymore. The past couldn’t be changed, but it also didn’t dictate his future. He repeated the words, hoping it would sink in, and he could actually believe it.
Full of whiskey and memories he would rather forget, he called the one person he always did.
“Enzo?”
“Ave,” he slurred.
She sighed. “Have you been drinking?”
“Only thing that helps,” he said.
He heard her excuse herself.
“Are you with him?” he scoffed.
“If you’re asking me if I’m with Keir, yes I am.”
He grunted.
“What’s wrong, Enz?”
“The counseling session brings up bad shit. I hate it. It’s like reliving your worst nightmares, only they’re not a dream, they’re reality. Things you’ve lived through.”
He could almost hear her wince. Sober, he never would’ve called, drunk he couldn’t stop talking.
“I’m sorry, Enz. I know it’s not easy.”
“Are you with him now?” he whispered.
“No.”
“I saw him put his mouth and his hands on you, Aibhlinn. I hated it.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because you’re mine ... and I don’t share. You tell him that, or next time I won’t be able to restrain myself.”
“Enz ...” Her voice wavered. “Y-you can’t say this to me.”
“Why? Shit’s true,” he said.
“No, it’s not, and you wouldn’t even be saying this if you were sober.”
“Because I’m a fucking idiot,” he retorted, swirling the remaining alcohol in his bottle.
She barked out a laugh. “Won’t disagree with you there.”
“You’re so mean to me, Ave,” he remarked in a teasing tone.
“Yeah right. I’m the nicest friend you’ve got,” she said.
“I know. That’s why I always hold back. I don’t want you to see the real me.”
“Who’s that, Enz?”
“The fucked up one who’s lived through situations that would make your stomach turn. You always see the best in me. How can I show you the worst?” He laid his cards on the table, desperate to get a foothold in her life once more.
“Because you trust me, don’t you?”
“I do,” he answered without hesitation.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Me, it’s always been me. I’m waiting for the day you realize I’m not good enough for you and nothing I do will ever change that.”
“Oi, tosser. I think that’s for me to decide, not you.”
He snickered. “Maybe.”
“Definitely. Where’s all this coming from?”
“When I saw you with him, everything changed. I can’t lose you.”
“How do I know you won’t turn me away again, at the drop of a dime? I’m not a boomerang you can throw away and expect to keep coming back.”
“I know, and I promise to never do that again if you’ll just ...” He trailed off, unable to put all he wanted to say into words.
“As long as I what, Enz?”
He could hear the eagerness in her voice. Be mine forever. His chest grew tight, and his mouth went dry. “Be mine,” he whispered.
“What? I didn’t hear you,” she said.
He gulped.
“Enz?” she asked, worried.
“I can’t. I can’t say it over the phone. I need you, Ave.”
“Ugh, no. Tell me now, and I’ll think about coming over.”
&
nbsp; She’s already getting sick of my shit. “Because I fucking need you, Aibhlinn. Not want, need, and I’m damn near going insane trying to do this without you. I don’t want you with some other motherfucker when your place is beside me.” It felt good saying the words out loud.
“And what about your place?” she countered.
“Beside you. Where I should have been this whole time. You want me and all the bullshit that comes with me, I’m willing to give it to you.”
“And if that’s not enough? ’Cause you talk a good game, Enz.”
“I’ll prove it.”
“Listening,” she taunted.
He wanted to strangle her and stick his tongue in her mouth at the same time. She was pushing him past his comfort zone and making him work for what she had once freely given. “You come to me, and I’ll tell you anything you ever wanted to know about me,” he said.
“Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack. But you have to let me pick the place where we talk.”
“Okay.”
“I want to go to the park.”
“Done. I’ll be there in thirty. Have your ass ready.”
She disconnected, and he couldn’t help but shudder in satisfaction at the way she took control.
Aibhlinn
“I have to go,” Aibhlinn stated as she walked back inside Keir’s apartment from the balcony. She’d instantly recognized the once in a lifetime opportunity Enzo had presented her.
“Wait, what? What happened? Is everything okay?” Keir asked, standing from his couch.
“I’ll get back to you on that one. I really hate to do this to you. This just came up out of the blue.” She grabbed her coat from his charcoal-colored couch and slipped her arms inside of the sleeves.
“It’s okay. I know how life can be,” Keir said with a smile.
“Thank you. I had fun tonight. It’s good to find someone else who loves horror movies.”
“Well, my couch is always open,” he said.
She could see the longing in his eyes. He wanted more than she was ready to give. Enzo saved me tonight. If he had turned to her with those chocolate eyes, she might’ve yielded. But it wouldn’t have lasted. Because whether she liked it or not, her heart was elsewhere. “I’ll keep that in mind. Next time, I’ll host and provide the eats.” Grabbing her purse, she speed walked to the door with Keir on her heels. He opened the door, and she rushed out before he could try to kiss her.
