Childhood Dream

by Theresa Paolo

  Not wanting to be reminded of the man who betrayed their entire family, he cranked the radio up and headed toward the boardwalk. After a short drive, he turned into the parking lot, found a spot, and made his way to his best friend’s storefront.

  Garrett had worked his ass off to open Tattoos by the Sea, the only tattoo shop in their small town. It was where Tony got all of his ink. He had been Garrett’s first customer and proudly sat while his buddy worked his magic and made his dream as Willow Cove’s first tattoo artist come true.

  Now people from all around the globe came to the small quaint town to be tatted by a rising star in the business. It took Garrett two years to go from the new guy in the business to the most sought after. His appointments were booked out almost two years in advance. Though Tony didn’t need an appointment. All he had to do was show up after hours with a six-pack, and Garrett was happy to get right to work.

  It was an hour before the open hours on the door, but the door was unlocked, and Tony let himself in. Garrett with a cup of coffee from The Local Bean in his hand, glanced up from his place behind the counter where he’d been looking at something.

  “Tony, my man,” Garrett said, walking out to greet him. He wore a flannel shirt over faded jeans and his long dark blonde hair was pulled back into a bun. Tony knew him to be a kind soul who enjoyed a good time, but to those that didn’t know him, between his stature, tattoos and confident demeanor, he was intimidating.

  He smacked his hand, and they did the handshake they made up in middle school then updated as they got older to not be so over the top ridiculous.

  “Welcome back,” Tony said.

  “Good to be back. The wedding was good, huh?”

  “It was.”

  “I still feel terrible that I couldn’t make it.”

  “You had other priorities. Marco understands that.”

  Garrett had been asked to attend one of the most popular tattoo conventions in Detroit, and he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to meet with peers in his industry and help continue to make a name for himself.

  “I did send a gift. My mom said it was the right thing to do.” He lifted an oversized shoulder. At six foot-three, Garrett had a good four inches on Tony and even sitting down the difference was noticeable. While Tony had an athletic build, Garrett was a beast with biceps the size of cantaloupes. “I went with her word. I’m not ready for the whole wedding circuit when all our friends start dropping into matrimony.”

  Tony laughed. “You’ve always been the romantic.”

  “I just don’t understand the concept of tying yourself to one person for the rest of your life. That’s a long damn time.”

  “I can’t wait for the day when a woman knocks you on your ass.”

  “Will never happen.”

  “We’ll see.”

  Garrett laughed and pulled up a rolling chair, pushing it toward Tony. Tony dropped in it, and Garrett sat in his black leather chair where he spent most of his days while tatting up customers.

  “Anyway, the wedding must’ve been good since you didn’t get back to me until the morning.”

  Tony rubbed at his chin. He respected Krissy’s wishes to keep things between them, but this was his best friend, and he’d trust Garrett with his life. “I got the girl,” he said, trying to keep the shock and disbelief from his tone, but it was impossible. He was still in a state of shock with how the events of the wedding panned out.

  “What girl?”

  “The girl.”

  Garrett lowered his coffee cup and stared at Tony over the lid. “Wait a minute. The girl? The girl who you’ve been not-so-secretly in love with your entire life.”

  Tony pressed his lips together to keep the gigantic smile, trying to spread across his face at bay in order to play it cool. Though, he’d never had a good poker face which is why he avoided poker night. “That would be the one.”

  Garrett jumped up and whacked him on the shoulder. “Holy shit, dude. How was it?” His eyes narrowed in question.

  The last thing Tony wanted to do was kiss and tell, but Garrett stood by his side through middle school and high school while Tony admired Krissy from afar, lovesick and pathetic, Garrett had given him plenty of pep talks through the years.

  “It was more than I could’ve ever imagined.”

  “And we both know how much you imagined it, so it must’ve been fucking amazing.” Garrett took a sip of his coffee and rested the cup on his worn jeans. “So what now? Was it just a one-time thing?”

  “She said it was. She’d been drinking, so she said it was a mistake.”

  “Was it?”

  Tony met Garrett’s blue gaze. “No. Not at all. You know me. I wouldn’t have taken advantage of her. If I didn’t think she was of clear mind, I would have walked out of there.”

  “I know you would’ve. So I’m guessing it hasn’t happened again?”

  Tony thrust a hand through his unruly curls, pushing them off his face. “No, but I know she wants to. Despite what she says, I see the way she looks at me. I’m not stupid, you know? I’ve loved that girl most of my life, I know everything about her, every tell that she has, and she wants it just as much as me, but she’s holding back.”

  “Is it because of your sister?”

  “I’m not sure, but the whole your Ella’s baby brother has been thrown at me one too many times in the last couple of days.”

  “She could be using it as a crutch.”

  “I think you’re right. There’s something she’s not saying.” He’d thought about it time and time again, trying to figure out what was in that pretty head of hers.

  “That’s something you’re going to have to figure out yourself, brother.”

  “Gee thanks.”

  “Exactly the reason why I avoid romantic entanglements. Too much to unpack.”

  “You’re awfully insightful for someone who”—Tony air quoted with his fingers—“avoids romantic entanglements.”

  “The perks of watching my mom date for the last twenty years.” Garrett’s dad had died before he was born in a freak accident on a construction site, leaving his mom a pregnant widow at only twenty-four. And probably the real reason Garrett didn’t believe in romance. Garrett’s eyes drifted to the large window looking out over the boardwalk. “Speaking of…” He nodded toward the window, and Tony turned to see Krissy struggling with two large boxes.

  “What the hell is she doing?” Tony asked.

  “Go find out. We’ll catch up more later. Besides, my first client should be here soon and I don’t need you making me look uncool.”

  “You’re an ass. I’ll see you later.”

  Tony hurried out the door just as Krissy cleared it. He walked up behind her. “Need help?” He reached for the box not waiting for an answer.

  She jolted, her ponytail whipping around as the box all but fell into his hands. “Holy moly, you scared the bejesus out of me.” She let out a breath, blowing her bangs in every direction before they settled back into place.

  Tony laughed. “Bejesus, huh?”

  “Yes, bejesus and if you would have had me drop this box, I would have had to kill you.”

  “Luckily I was here to catch it for you.”

  “I wouldn’t have needed you to catch it if you didn’t scare me. Do you always sneak up on unsuspecting women?”

  “Someone is cranky this morning.” He leaned down close to her ear. “Is it because you left unsatisfied last night?”

  Her head cocked back and her eyes widened beneath her black frames. “No! Of course not. These boxes are just heavy and my will to keep them from falling to the ground is dwindling.”

  He placed the box in his hands back on top of the one she still held. She let out an exaggerated oomph before he took both boxes from her.

  “I’m assuming these are going to Martha’s place?” Krissy’s homemade artisan soap had a prime location in Mind, Body and Soul.

  “Yes, they are, but I don’t need your help. I can carry them.”
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br />   He shook his head at the obvious lie and started walking. “Make yourself useful and grab the door for me, will ya?”

  She let out a mix between a growl and scream, and he laughed. He hadn’t realized how much he loved getting a reaction out of her, even if the reaction appeared as if she wanted to draw blood from him.

  “You’re pushing it, buddy.” Her eyes met his, a challenge in the depths of the hazel orbs. A challenge he was willing to accept. “Martha!” Krissy called out.

  “Oh, you’re here!” Martha exclaimed before Tony could respond. In a whirlwind of flowing jewel-toned fabric, Martha rushed over to them. She patted a cleared spot on a table, and Tony placed the boxes down. “How sweet of you to carry those boxes for, Krissy.”

  “He only carried them a couple of doors down. I did the real heavy lifting from the parking lot.”

  A loud bang drew their attention to the back of the shop. “Sorry,” Joe, the owner of Joe’s Lobster House said, fixing a table he bumped, then went back to adjusting his colorful Hawaiian shirt. Joe and Martha had been seeing each other for a while, but continued to pretend it was a secret. Maybe it kept the magic alive.

  Tony looked at Krissy, and a secret relationship didn’t sound so bad. They were basically in one anyway since she refused to let anyone know she’d been in his studio to pose for him. Now if she would just succumb to her desires again, they both could look as happy as Joe.

  “Hi Joe,” Krissy said. “It’s good to see you.”

  “You too, dear. I was just here, getting some ointment for my bad knee.”

  “Sure you were, Joe,” Tony said with a knowing smirk.

  “I’ll just be going now.” He met Martha’s gaze and gave her a nod before disappearing out the front door.

  “I think Joe forgot his ointment,” Tony said, and Krissy gave him a nudge in the side.

  “Thank you for your help, Tony, you can go now. I’m sure you have better things to be doing.”

  “I don’t actually.”

  “Let the boy help you. When you get to be my age, the offers don’t come in nearly as much. Take advantage while you can.”

  Krissy’s eyebrows arched, disappearing beneath her bangs. “Who are you fooling? Joe would navigate the earth for you.”

  “The old geezer would probably get lost five minutes into the journey.” Martha swatted her hand in the air and rolled her eyes. “Anywho, I need to run down the boardwalk and pick up some tea I ordered through Cami. Can you watch the store for a second? I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “Go for it,” Krissy said. “I’ll be here for a few minutes setting up the table.”

  Martha clapped her hands together, the bangles on her arms clattering together. “Perfect. Back in a jiffy.”

  Krissy ignored him, opening the first box then dropping it to the floor. Tony followed suit, taking the other box and placing it on the floor as well. Krissy began to unpack the soap, and Tony watched her for a moment while she completely consumed herself in her task.

  “Any news about the fire?”

  “The fire chief did an investigation, and they determined it was arson.”

  “Shit, I’m sorry Krissy.” He had suspected arson, but hearing the confirmation and seeing her shoulders deflate at the admission, the sparkle in her eyes dimming, hit him hard. He wanted to catch the bastard and make them suffer for what they were putting Krissy through.

  “At least we know now.”

  She forced a smile and stacked bars of soap in different places along the table, using what looked like cake stands to elevate a few neatly made piles. He wanted to comfort her, but that’s not what Krissy needed now. She needed to get lost in her work, so he continued to watch as she created her display.

  The store already had a strong odor of florals and spice, but as each soap came out of the box, the air shifted to a more crisp and spicy scent.

  He reached into the box and picked up a bar, holding it up to him so he could read the label. “This is made with beer?”

  “Yup,” she said. “Women love to buy it for their husbands and boyfriends, and it’s been one of my biggest sellers to date.” She handed him a bar. “Try it out and let me know.” He reached into his pocket for his wallet and she glared at him. “If you try to give me money, I’ll punch you.”

  “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

  “You seriously can turn anything into a sexual innuendo.”

  “What can I say? It’s a gift. Now…” He dropped into a fighting stance. “Show me what you got, Turner.”

  Her lips pursed together as she obviously attempted to resist the smile tugging at the edges of her mouth. “Consider it compensation then for helping me with the boxes.”

  “The boxes that you didn’t need help with.”

  “Exactly.”

  He slipped the bar of soap into the pocket of his jacket. “I thought you wanted me to help you package the soap? We had a bet and I always follow through with my bets.”

  “Oh, you will. This is just the soap for here. I have a ton of orders that need to be shipped.”

  “What do you say I come by tonight?”

  “Tonight?” she hiccupped.

  “Unless you have plans.”

  “No…I…”

  “Are trying and failing to come up with an excuse?”

  “I just assumed you’d come by during the day.”

  He moved toward her, and she stumbled into the table. His hand steadied her. “Afraid to be near me after dark?”

  “Of course not. I was at your place last night, was I not?”

  “Then what do you say? Tonight?”

  Her eyes widened. “I can’t.”

  He lowered his chin, and she shook her head, holding her hand up. “I’m not making up excuses. I forgot it’s my uncle’s birthday, and my aunt is having a little party for the family.”

  “That sounds fun.”

  “It will be if my cousin can control his alcohol intake and not piss my aunt off.”

  “That sounds more entertaining.”

  “I prefer my evenings with less drama.”

  “What about tomorrow night then?”

  “I don’t have to ship anything out until the beginning of next week, so if you still needed me to pose for you.” She lifted her shoulder, and her eyes darted to the soap she was arranging. “We could do that instead.”

  He hid his amusement at her sudden shyness. “You just want to be able to watch TV.”

  “Maybe.” She blinked up, catching his gaze and throwing him off balance at the pureness that radiated off of her. “I was hoping you’d pick out another movie for me. Another classic I haven’t seen before.”

  Hope blossomed in his chest, but he kept his voice steady. “I can do that.”

  Chapter 9

  After Martha returned and Tony left, Krissy stopped at the Local Bean to say hi to Cami and try to forget about the way her heart skipped a beat when Tony appeared out of thin air to help her. Her reaction to him caused her to be snippy, but she’d been trying really hard to rein in her emotions. There was just something about Tony. Something that she hadn’t seen in all the years she had known him. It was as if she was seeing him in a different light. A light that made him incredibly sexy and irresistible.

  She’d managed to get out of seeing him tonight, but instead of agreeing to him helping her the following night with her orders, she foolishly suggested another painting session. Now she had two nights with him opposed to one. Her resolve was already waning, and she didn’t know how much longer she’d be able to resist his charm.

  The passionate side of him intrigued her more than she liked. She meant when she had said he was supposed to be the vulnerable and sensitive Morretti. That Moretti she could resist, but add in all that testosterone. She couldn’t handle both. The combination was deadly. Might as well get the ambulance and pull out the stretcher because she was going to need it if he kept mixing the two sides of him.

  The devastating combination
had left her off balance too many times already. Not that she was about to tell him that.

  Forcing Tony to the back of her mind, she glanced around, looking for Cami, but her best friend was nowhere to be found. Maybe she was in the back. Krissy strode up to the register and smiled at Becca.

  “Hi Krissy. Your usual?” she asked.

  “That would be great. Is Cami around?”

  “You just missed her by ten minutes. She left to run an errand. She said she’d be back in an hour if you want to wait.”

  “I’ll just grab my coffee and head out. I can see her anytime.” Krissy handed over a five and told Becca to keep the change since she always insisted on giving Krissy the employee discount.

  Krissy scrolled through her phone, checking to see if she had any more orders coming in when Reid’s number flashed on the screen. She fumbled her phone and answered.

  “Reid, please tell me nothing else has happened.”

  “No, everything is fine.”

  She let out a breath and inhaled deeply, refilling her lungs in an attempt to calm her racing heart.

  “I’m calling to let you know that I’m still looking into both incidents and though it appears there’s a strong possibility they are related, I don’t have any solid proof so I’m treating each incident individually.”

  “Understood.”

  “We’ve discussed both incidents, but I was wondering if there’s anything else that might be useful for my investigation that you haven’t mentioned yet.”

  “I told you everything.”

  Becca held her coffee up, and she went over and grabbed it, whispering a thank you, and offering a wave as she headed outside.

  “Anyone who might have a vendetta against you or who has recently been around?”

  “There was a real estate developer that gave me his card and made me an offer on the spot that I turned down, but he showed up after the first incident.”