At 1pm I arrived at the tattoo studio with a shopping bag in hand, I'd picked up a nutritional lunch for us, as promised last time. Inside I was greeted by Kim as she was doodling on a drawing pad and flashed a big smile at me, "Hey you! Back for another session on that sleeve? It looks so fucking cool oh my god!" Kim's positivity was infectious and I grinned back, "Nah not today, just here to see Eddie actually." Kim gave me a knowing nod of the head, "Riiight, well go on over." I blushed as I walked past her and through the studio, passing other artists taking breaks or ploughing on with clients. Annie's station was next to Eddie's now; she was wrapping her client's leg and looked up at me with a small smile, "Hey Rain!" Her high pitched voice rang through my ears. She was wearing a mega low cut vest and tight pants, which definitely didn't look comfortable to be sat down all day in, but the outfit did look good on her petite body. "Hey Annie, sup? where's Eddie?" I asked when I couldn't see him anywhere. I leaned against his tattooing chair and watched Annie take cash from her client before she turned to me; just as Annie was about to answer, Eddie rounded the corner from the bathroom. When he saw me his face lit up and I wanted to jump into his arms. Holding myself back though I simply said, "Hey. You ready?" And waved the bag in the air. Eddie stood next to me, taking the bag from my hand and sticking his head inside, "a picnic?" He asked with a goofy smile. I nodded, "as promised."
I heard Annie clear her throat and ask "What are you guys up to?" Eddie breathed in and answered nonchalantly, "Just getting lunch together." We were standing with about a foot between us and I knew he was being conscious not to show there was anything going on with us. Annie's girly voice trilled, "cool, meeting your friends somewhere?" I could tell she was either trying to dig for information or insert herself into our picnic. The voice in my head tried to taunt me like it had done last weekend, but I quashed it before it could do any damage. Eddie opened his mouth with an awkward expression on his face, unsure what to say, but I got in first. "Just us." I said calmly and closed the gap between Eddie and I, standing close to his side. Annie flicked her blonde hair and twirled some with her fingers, looking only at Eddie when she spoke, "Hey, are you going to that field party tomorrow?" Eddie was comically yet painfully oblivious to her flirting attempt and folded his arms, nodding. I could see through it though. I turned my body slightly towards Eddie and placed a hand on his arms looking up at him with a smile, "yeah we are." I responded. Eddie's eyes searched mine, I could see questions in them as he slowly realised what I was doing. I wiggled my eyebrows at him and squeezed his arm, getting a small chuckle in response when he unfolded his arms and slipped one around my waist. Feeling Eddie's arm around me made time slow down, I leaned into his grip and rested my head at his shoulder momentarily. "Let's go." Eddie announced with the bag in one hand as he moved to hold mine with his other, leading us out of the studio. The other artists were watching us and grinning too, some giving Eddie respectful nods when they looked at us together. I didn't bother looking back at Annie.
On our way to the park Eddie rubbed small circles into the back of my hand. "So, you wanna be public?" He asked, looking ahead. I tightened my grip on his hand and laughed, "I mean, we humped in a public cemetery... but yeah, I don't wanna sneak around or pretend y'know." Eddie's own laugh boomed through the street and we turned into the park where families were sitting down with picnics. We both flopped down onto the grass and Eddie started pulling food out of the bag; sandwiches, apples, chips, mini sausage rolls, and some candy. "The way to my heart is definitely with food." He remarked, stroking my knee, and looking into my face happily. I started nibbling a sandwich and felt Eddie nudge me as I was watching two kids try to climb up the slide. "So, this party tomorrow. We're gonna...be together there?" He raised an eyebrow at me. For some reason my throat went dry and insecurity stabbed my lungs. "Uh, yeah. I mean, if you wanted to? Sorry I shouldn't have assumed." I broke eye contact with Eddie and looked at the ground. Eddie put his sandwich down, and took mine from my hands. I didn't say anything as he raised himself up on his knees, cupping both hands beneath my chin and lifting my face. "I was always gonna find you there. Been pulling my hair out all week tryna think how I'd possibly be able to keep my hands off you in front of everyone. It's been driving me crazy." My heart started beating again and the insecurity slowly melted away, "really?" I whispered, looking up at Eddie. He brought his lips to my forehead and planted a single kiss in the centre, moving his mouth to my ear, "I'll meet you there, show everyone you're mine, then take you home with me and claim you completely." His voice was dripping with seduction and I shivered inside. I turned my head and kissed him once on the lips, aware that parents would start yelling at us if we laid the PDA on too thick in the park. We pulled apart and resumed eating our picnic, Eddie leaning back slightly behind me with his chin on my shoulder.