Chapter 9
Love is In the Air
The next day at work things went like usual mostly because Thomas was at the office. Carey was around though. I had a ten-minute break and spent it talking with him. Poor guy must really miss serious biking because he talks non-stop about what moves I'm working on. I'm not complaining I love it. I walked out into the lobby and stood beside Josh who was leaning over the counter day dreaming. I nudged him with my elbow.
"Hey. Whatcha thinking about?"
"Anya. My girlfriend is coming out tonight and I just can't wait to see her." I asked him a little bit about her but we were interrupted when Thomas came in through the door. He came right up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. Josh hid his shock fast and said a few words to Thomas before going over to greet a customer. Thomas kissed me on the side of my neck and I pulled away from him.
"I have work to do." I nodded to Nina when she motioned towards my room. Someone was probably in there waiting.
I walked in and introduced myself to a girl about my age and her friend. I noticed that she was holding a paper in her hand and she handed it to me. It was her permission slip. If I tattooed her and something went wrong we would be shut down if the sheets weren't fully filled out before she entered my room. I helped her fill out the rest and I took it back to the secretaries. Nina was sitting and laughing with Chad at the moment.
They stopped when they spotted me. Chad hurried off to the work he should have been doing. I held up the sheet and Nina looked at it and lowered her gaze realizing her mistake. I sat it in front of her and went back to my tattoo. After my third one I leaned back and stretched my back. I wandered out into the lobby just as a large blonde was coming in. Josh walked over and gave her a huge hug. She was wearing a top with a low neckline showing a tattoo going down her deep cleavage. I hopped up onto the counter beside Deejah. Everyone was standing around talking. Thomas left after a little while. He kissed me on the cheek and whispered that he'd see me later in my ear before he swung his bag on his back and left. About half an hour later marriage came into the conversation and Anya asked Josh why they don't get married. After a lot of laughing and teasing and poor Josh being pushed into a corner pretty much they decided to get married. Tomorrow! Anya would only be here for two days so it had to be that soon.
Everyone soon departed except for Bryan, Josh and me. I then found out why poor Josh looked so defeated. He told us that he wasn't sure he could afford this. Josh being a good guy wanted to buy her a big ring. Bryan pulled out the schedule to see if her could change the schedule around to give him time off for the wedding and over time. I offered to work a double or triple shift but no way we arranged it could we make it work. I would work a double shift tonight on top of the double I already worked and Josh would have to work a triple shift in the morning. I sighed and waved to Josh. So much for seeing Thomas and getting some sleep. At least this helped Josh out. Bryan also left and Nina followed shortly afterward. Chad showed up but was scarcely around. Other than that I was alone most of the time except for the 3 temporary tattoos I did on a group of way too drunk girls. Rose came in at about 4 in the morning. She could watch the front and the till and Chad was out there so I was able I sleep a little bit. I sprawled over the chair and tipped my hat over my face.
I woke up and protested when someone gently shook me awake. I opened my eyes and swore when I saw Thomas there.
"Busted." I checked my watch and frowned when I saw I was only asleep for half an hour.
"Jesse came in so you can go now. You shouldn't have work this long anyway."
"Yea yea yea." I sat up and grabbed my bag. I felt so stiff.
"What is this I hear about Josh getting married?" He asked as we stepped out of the door into the dark streets. I laughed and leaned against him and told him the gist of the story.