Protecting His Home

by Ember Davis

  Amelia is practically glowing, “I can’t wait to see their pictures. I can also do a coordinating hat for your brother in law. Let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in.”

  Olivia smiles and heads back toward her station, “For sure! Thanks Amelia.”

  Amelia smiles and watches her, when she glances back at me, I make sure to catch her eye and smile at her, “You’re very talented.”

  Amelia shrugs and then goes back to making the hat in her lap, “It’s just yarn.”

  Andrea pipes up, “Don’t sell yourself short girl, I don’t even understand how you can make anything, and it doesn’t unravel. The pillow you gave me is my favorite.” I arch my eyebrow at Andrea, and she explains, “For my birthday she made me a pillow with the word ‘wanderlust’ on it in a purple ombre because purple is my favorite.”

  Amelia leans forward and gives Andrea’s arm a little squeeze, “Anyway, how are you doing? It’s not so bad, right?”

  Andrea smiles, “I’m doing great. You were so right, it’s a little uncomfortable, but manageable.”

  Amelia nods knowingly, “The good kind of pain and then when it’s all done, you’ll have beautiful art on your body.”

  My eyebrows shoot up. The good kind of pain? Oh, is Amelia like that? Huh, very interesting. That also reminds me that she’s dealt with the not good kind of pain and that has me enraged again. Whoever that douche canoe is he better never show up or there will be hell to pay.

  I clear my throat, “Probably only have another twenty minutes of work to do. You need a break?”

  “I’m good, if you are.”

  I nod and glance over at Amelia but she’s already working on the beanie again. I want her eyes on me. Is that selfish? Yeah, maybe. I know I still have some making up to do and that’s okay. I just want her focus, all of it. I’m an ass.

  “So, Andrea, I think you’d be a great fit here at the shop if you’re really interested. We can talk about salary, but I can be competitive with what you’re making now.”

  Andrea glances up at Amelia who smiles down at her and gives her a nod.

  “Yeah, I’d be really interested. When would you want me to start?” Andrea glances at Amelia again, this time nervously.

  I smile, “I totally get you needing to work out a two-week notice, even though I’d love to have someone in here before then. We’ve been fine for the last two months so we can handle a few more weeks.”

  Amelia clears her throat and gives me a look, one that speaks of her reluctance to add to the conversation. I look at her and wait her out. She rolls her eyes and says to Andrea, “I do appreciate the two-week notice, it does make it easier. If you wanted, I could work it out that you come in and close when I’m scheduled to leave and you could be here in the day to get trained and up to speed so you can hit the ground running when your notice is up.”

  Andrea searches Amelia’s face, “Are you sure? You know I love working for you and I’d never want to put you in a bad spot. You’ve taught me so much and you’re my best friend.”

  Amelia’s smile is radiant. “I’m sure, hon. It’s really not a big deal. You know Chloe has wanted the opportunity to have more responsibility. I already have her scheduled with me a little more next week so that I could start teaching her a thing or two. I knew it was just a matter of time before you’d get an opportunity like this one. The second week, I’ll make sure she’s on the schedule for you to show her closing duties. You know I like to keep people on their toes with my schedules now and again anyway.”

  Andrea chuckles, “Yeah but that was more because you were afraid Ryan and Evie were going to end up fucking in the back room.”

  Amelia giggles, “Well, that’s true. Anyway, we can work that out starting next Monday if you’d like.”

  Andrea looks at me and smiles, “If that works for you, that works for me.”

  “Sounds like a plan. We can do paperwork on Monday, come in at 11 and we can nail down when you can work based off your schedule.” Andrea nods her agreement.

  As I’m finishing up the color on Andrea’s tattoo, I notice Amelia take out some scissors and a needle. She does something, I have no idea what, and just like that her hat is finished. Wow, she’s fast. She puts away her supplies and then digs something else out of her little tool kit and puts some sort of tag on her hat.

  She folds the beanie on her lap before leaning over Andrea, watching me wipe away any excess ink for the last time. I look at the tattoo; it’s done. Amelia glances up at me and gives me a tight smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. Those walls are still skyscraper height, but I’ll scale them.

  “It’s beautiful,” Amelia whispers and fuck, that makes me feel ten feet tall.

  “Okay, Andrea, you’re all done. Go check it out in the mirror before I wrap it up.”

  Andrea gives me a big smile and then hops off the table. I see Amelia grab something out of her bag and then write something on the back. She stands up and heads over to Olivia’s station to hand her something, her card maybe? When she comes back, she stands in front of the chair she was sitting in while I snap a quick picture of Andrea’s tattoo and then wrap it up all while giving Andrea after care instructions.

  I lead the girls toward the front of the shop and on the way, of course, we get stopped and they make Andrea show off her tattoo.

  Walsh asks, “So, did you hire Andrea?”

  Andrea smiles, but I answer, “Yup. I think she’ll be a great fit here.”

  Troy gives me a fist bump. “Agreed, man. Good call.” He turns toward Amelia and gives her a huge smile and wink, “Does that mean we’ll be seeing more of you around here too, Doll?”

  Amelia smiles, but it’s one of hers that doesn’t reach her eyes again. “No, I don’t think so.”

  Walsh throws his arm around Amelia’s shoulders and it takes a lot of willpower for me to not growl at him. Walsh gives me a smirk before smiling down at her, “Awww, come on Sweetcheeks. You’ll at least have to meet up with us on Friday night, it’s tradition for all of Banks Ink. to grab a few beers.”

  Amelia shrugs off Walsh’s arm and gives a little laugh, but it’s on the hollow side. “Sorry, Snookums, but I’m not part of Banks Ink.; Andrea will be your manager, not me.”

  I give Amelia my best smile, “You should come, we can grandfather you in. I kind of owe you anyway, since you asked about the position in the first place.”

  “You gave my best friend a beautiful piece of art and are giving her an opportunity that she deserves. Consider your debt paid,” Amelia says in a tone that brokers no further discussion. She glances around at my crew and gives a little smile. “Bye guys.”

  Amelia turns and heads out to the waiting room and I can’t help but watch her ass as she walks away from me. I can’t wait until I can get my hands on it. I hear the bell on the door sound which tells me she walked straight out the front door. Everyone looks at me with concern, including Andrea.

  I mumble, “Yeah, yeah, guys, I get it. I have a lot of work to do, but I’ll make it right.”

  Troy says, “You fucking better. If a girl like that walked into my life and wanted me, phew…” he fans himself for effect, “it would be on.”

  Walsh grins, “Yeah what he said.”

  I lead Andrea out to the waiting room and get her all paid up and give her an after-care sheet that just reiterates what I’ve already told her. I see Amelia leaning against the side of the building outside next to one of the big windows in the front of the shop. When Andrea opens the door, Amelia turns and gives her a bright smile and a high five when she gets close enough.

  I watch them until I see them get into a car that’s parked a few stores down. At least with Andrea working here I’ll have an in with getting to Amelia. That’s not why I hired her; she’s qualified and Amelia wouldn’t recommend her unless she could do the job. She’ll get along with everyone, too. Maybe we can work out a cross promotion with Green Space down the road. Or maybe we can put a patch on some of Amelia’s hats wi
th my shop logo. That might be a way to get her back in my shop and get back in her good graces.

  When I head back to my station to get cleaned up everyone is watching me. Sometimes living in a fishbowl like this shop can be frustrating. I know they just want the best for me, but I hate that they all witness how badly I fucked up today.

  Dex is the first to speak up, “You really hadn’t ever seen her before you drew that pin-up this morning?”

  “Nope,” I smile at him and pop the p.

  Troy speaks up first, which doesn’t surprise me in the least, “What pin-up?”

  Dex snatches my sketchpad before I can get to it and flips it open until he finds what he’s looking for. He walks over to Troy and Walsh to show them. Olivia joins them almost immediately. I guess it’s a good thing no one has a client right now. They all stare at my drawing and then look up at me.

  I shrug, “I’m serious, I hadn’t met her until she showed up today with Andrea. I was just drawing this morning and that’s what I came up with.”

  Walsh sounds dumbfounded, “That’s Amelia, though.” I nod. He shakes his head in disbelief, “Wait? You drew her this morning and then your fantasy pin-up drawing comes to life and you act like a complete dick?”

  I sigh, “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Have you ever had a drawing come to life before? Also, you know about how much Bri fucked me up and then Troy was flirting with her and then you were too and I just…I didn’t handle any of it very well, okay?” Olivia gives me a sympathetic smile.

  Walsh furrows his brow, “I may have been flirting a little, but she wasn’t interested at all and was just being nice.”

  “I know,” I sigh and then scrub a hand over my face. “You want to know something completely crazy about that drawing?” They all nod. “Andrea told me her favorite flowers are sunflowers.”

  Troy scoffs, “Seriously?” I nod and grin. “You showed this to Andrea? Did you show Amelia?”

  I shrug, “Well, I needed to explain why I was off my game a little when they first got here. Andrea told me I should change the tattoo on my girl to one of a ball of yarn and a crochet hook, I didn’t understand why until she started working on her hat. I didn’t show it to Amelia, yet,” I give them a mischievous grin.

  Walsh perks up, “You’re going to ask one of us to tattoo this on you, aren’t you?”

  I shrug, but smirk. They know me too well. Walsh is right, it’s not every day that your fantasy pin-up walks into your life. I don’t condone getting someone’s name tattooed on you unless we’re talking about your kids or some sort of memorial. But this? Yeah, I’ll get it tattooed on me. Soon. Then I’ll make her my wife and one day I’ll have our kid’s names tattooed on me right next to it. Wife? Kids? Well, damn, I’ve always yearned for those things, but never met someone I could actually picture them with. With Amelia it just feels right. So fucking right.

  They all chuckle and then Dex pipes up and points to the chair Amelia was sitting in, “You mean that hat?”

  I hadn’t even noticed it, but he’s right. The hat Amelia made is sitting right where she was. It’s black like the chair and I hadn’t seen where she put it after giving Olivia her card. I inspect the leather tag on the edge of the brim: Earhart Loops. That’s a cute name for her crochet business, and it is a business as evident from Olivia’s order.

  I pick up the card and check it out. It’s her business card and I notice the added tag line of ‘no relation’ under her business name. I chuckle because her last name isn’t even Earhart, so fucking cute. There’s a handwritten note on the back.

  Not even assholes deserve cold ears. Enjoy it, Beckett.

  I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face and I don’t hesitate to slip the beanie on over my head. It’s like the perfect hat and I love that I’m wearing a little piece of her now.

  She has no idea, but the fact that she made this right in front of me and left it for me tells me everything I need to know. She wants me to break down her walls. She wants to forgive my behavior and just needs a good reason. I’ll give her that reason and so much more.

  My crew grins at me. Now I just need a plan to make that girl mine, but first things first.

  I snap a selfie of myself in her hat and open Instagram. I make sure to follow her business page, which of course is already following me and the store. I post my selfie with the caption:

  My girl, Amelia, just made me the most amazing hat. You need one of these yourself. Contact her directly or go hit up Green Space, my favorite shop in the city. My girl’s the manager there, make sure you let her know Beckett sent you when you say ‘Hi’. Pick up a beanie of your own because not even assholes deserve cold ears. #enjoyingit #getwarm #madebymygirl

  I make sure to tag her business, Green Space and my shop. I find her personal social media, but they’re all set to private. I send her requests across the board and now it’s time to wait. Just for now.

  CHAPTER 4

  AMELIA

  It’s been five days since I was in Banks Ink. and things have been getting a little ridiculous in my world. I saw Beckett’s post right away. It probably shouldn’t have made my heart go pitter patter considering what a dick he was, but it totally did. Maybe more than once.

  I’ve been analyzing his post over and over, especially how he called me his girl. What is that? He could barely look at me when we first arrived at his shop. He was clearly annoyed by me. Hell, he even snapped at me because I was cheery. I’m not his girl, obviously.

  Then again, he did find me out back. He did apologize and I can’t deny the way his touch lit up my whole body like the finale of a fireworks show. I just can’t get involved with someone who runs hot and cold. Right? Right. I can’t risk my heart like that again.

  Let’s not even talk about the fact that Beckett Banks is out of my league. He’s covered in tattoos and he’s hot as hell. I know my curves attract some attention here and there, but really, I’m nothing special. He’s a talented artist and I just like to play with yarn and cue up Netflix. What could we have in common?

  My Instagram page has been blowing up and I’ve gotten a few orders out of Beckett’s post. I’ve finished Olivia’s order and since Andrea’s starting her new job tomorrow, I gave it to her yesterday at work to hand over. Andrea tried to get me to take it by the shop myself, but I put my foot down. I will not come off as some needy fangirl. I won’t do it. I refuse.

  There’s also this new development of people saying ‘hi’ to me in the shop and telling me that Beckett sent them. I’ve turned that into a promotion for the shop. If they show us a tattoo that’s come out of Banks Ink., as proven by it being posted on the shop’s social media, they get 15% off their purchase. If they mention that Beckett sent them to say ‘hi’ to me, they get 10% off.

  I’ve also sold quite a few hats since Beckett’s post. I’ve even had some people come into this dispensary just to buy a hat, not even to get cannabis. That’s a new one for me. I guess I should thank him, but I’m still a little hurt and pissed. I can hold a grudge and as of right now, I don’t have a good enough reason to let go of this one.

  I won’t tolerate being snapped at. Never again. I know he apologized. I know he told me that he’d never hurt me, but he did hurt me. His scowls hurt. The way he said I couldn’t be trusted with his eyes hurt. I don’t know if I can trust him, no matter how much Andrea insists that Beckett’s sincere in his apology.

  He’s not the only one who’s found me on social media. Troy, Walsh, Olivia and even Dex have found all my social media and they’ve followed or friended me on everything, I accepted their requests on my personal pages right away. The only person I haven’t approved is Beckett and I’ve ignored the message he sent me on my business page.

  Maybe I’m being petty. No, I am. I am being petty and overly cautious. It’s not like I can’t block him down the line. I just don’t want him to think that if I accept his requests that I’m okay with how he treated me. I’m not.

  Troy has been the funniest on my social m
edia. He’s sent me a few messages and gifs and they make me laugh. He’s a good guy. So, why is he single? Not that I’m interested in him, he feels more like a brother than someone I could ever be involved with romantically. He just deserves someone in his life. I don’t know, maybe he doesn’t want one person. I still get a one-night stand king vibe from him.

  They all tried to talk me into coming out and meeting up with them on Friday night, but I put my foot down. Remember my pledge to not be needy? Yeah, that applies to showing up and inserting myself into his friend group, no matter how much I like them.

  When I went into work yesterday morning, Chloe mentioned that Beckett stopped into the shop on Friday, the night before, and was looking for me. I usually take Friday and Sunday off every week since Saturday can be a busy day in the shop. I took a personal day so I could go with Andrea to get her tattoo.

  I am off today so I worked on custom orders most of the day. I’ll be able to send out my orders first thing in the morning before I head into the shop at 9 to open at ten. When I worked clothing retail I was in the store as early as 7 am if there were visual changes, promotion changes or other tasks that needed to be done. I’m glad that working at Green Space allows me to sleep in a little and most changes to the shop can be made while we’re open.

  Just as I’m thinking about figuring out some sort of dinner situation there’s a knock at my door. I wasn’t expecting company and when I look out the peep hole, I see the smiling faces of Andrea and…Troy? I must have been thinking about him too hard and now I’ve conjured him into existence. I glance down at my outfit. I sigh, I totally put pajamas back on today after I took a shower. Why not? My yarn doesn’t care what I wear.

  I know there’s no way Andrea will leave without me opening the door, so I steel myself and swing the door wide open. That’s when Walsh comes out of nowhere and sweeps me up in his arms and spins me like he’s missed me.

  “Sweetcheeks!!!!!!”