They continue talking, but I hear nothing they are saying. Christian works here? It can't be Bianca's brother. I had a small crush on him when we were in school. He's younger than me, but he was always more mature than anyone my age. I haven't seen him since I left for San Antonio, and my stupid brother doesn't keep me updated on anything. I don't know if I even have any of those feelings toward him anymore, but it could only serve as a distraction.

  A door at the back of the shop opens, and someone walks out. I pay little attention until I notice the curly, dark hair. It's longer now than it was back then. Almost to his shoulders. He's putting things away in a closet, and he seems a lot bigger than he was as a sophomore in high school.

  Before he makes his way to us, I turn toward Bianca. "Where will I finish my apprenticeship? And can you show me the rooms we'll be working in?"

  "Sure," she beams, not realizing I'm using her to avoid her brother. "It's nice when artists are excited about their space. Some people have their rooms so boring." She glances toward a room with the door closed. "Adrian's work room has no life in it."

  "Thanks." I follow her to a room on the left. Even though she always gave off a broody side, there are pops of color everywhere. The one thing on display that's consistent with how I've seen her outside of her work are the sugar skulls decorating the shelves.

  "So, real talk," she closes the door behind us. "Why did you leave the shop in San Antonio? Adrian gave me some hints, but I figured I'd ask you in person."

  "Mostly, it was working with a bunch of douchebags. I always knew this was a male dominated industry, and I'm glad it's changing, but...the guys there treated me like a maid instead of a colleague."

  "Pendejos," she mutters. "I assumed as much. I've heard things about that shop, and I don't think they even have a large female clientele. Now I know why."

  She lifts herself up on top of the counter. "You don't have to worry about that here. Corey is fair in everything he does. And I wasn't kidding about me and Charleigh running things."

  "That's good to know," I smile. "Is this where I'll finish apprenticing?"

  "Have you started tattooing people?"

  Nodding, I look around the spacious area. I'm happy to know they have privacy for those shy folks getting tattoos in intimate areas. "I have been for a few months."

  "Good," she hops down, "that means you won't be in here long before you move to your own room."

  "Really?" The way the guys were talking before I left, it'd be another year.

  "Yep. As soon as I see how you do, I'll be able to give you a firm date. We desperately need someone helping us out. Corey isn't getting any younger, and he primed Charleigh to take over the shop."

  "He doesn't look that old." The words fly from my lips, and I feel bad as soon as they are out.

  "He stays pretty active, but he's been working here nonstop since he opened the shop, and his wife is easing him into retirement."

  "She's a smart lady."

  "She really is. You'll meet her soon, I'm sure. She drops by from time to time to make sure we're all fed."

  "I have a feeling I'm going to love her."

  Without a knock, the door opens and Christian walks in. "Bianca." The words die on his lips as soon as he notices me and he trips, barely missing the chair before hitting the floor.

  Looks like hiding out isn't going to be possible.

  Chapter Three

  CHRISTIAN

  Twice in one day. I'm not this fucking clumsy, but Wren being here in this space I've been spending all my time in, is throwing me for a loop. I hope like hell this isn't a common occurrence. If so, I'll be bruised after two days of her being here.

  "Oh, shit," Bianca yells through laughter. Gotta love my hermana for keeping it real. She can't be like a normal sister and rush to my side? No, she has to sit there and laugh her ass off through my embarrassment.

  I brace myself to get off the floor again when a soft hand touches my arm. "Are you okay?"

  "I think so." I let her help me to a sitting position, and even though it's been two years, she's still just as beautiful as she ever was. Her long hair is in some sort of bun on top of her head, and her hazel eyes meet mine. Her pale skin flushes, and I realize I'm staring.

  She stands and holds her hand out to help me up. This might be even more embarrassing than falling in front of her. Men are supposed to be the ones lifting up the woman, not the other way around. At least, that's what all those teen shows Bianca used to watch portrayed.

  "Thanks," I say as soon as I'm standing. Unsure what to do with my hands, I shove them in my pockets.

  "No problem." Taking a step back, she clasps her hands in front of her. Looks like neither of us knows what to do with our hands. "Long time no see."

  My gaze roams down her body. In all the ways she's stayed the same, she's also changed so much. Her hips are fuller than they were before and she's definitely no longer the teenager who moved away when I was sixteen.

  "Yeah, it's been a minute." I avert my gaze so I don't seem like a creeper. That would suck for her to think I'm some creepy dude.

  "Is there something you needed before you barged in here?" Bianca snaps at me before I can say another word.

  "You don't have to be so bitchy." I roll my eyes. "I was trying to be nice and ask if you wanted me to grab you something to eat from across the street. Since I know how busy you get."

  "Aw, that's sweet," Wren coos, and it endears her to me even more than she already was.

  "Oh," Bianca relaxes her face. "That would actually be great."

  "Do you want anything, Wren? They have some of the best burgers on the block."

  She looks around the room, then at Bianca. "When am I starting?"

  "Tonight, if you can."

  "Then it might be a good idea for me to eat before then." She takes a step toward me. "Do you mind some company? It'd be a good idea for me to get an idea of the area since I'll most likely spend most of my waking moments here."

  On the inside, I'm screaming, abort. Tell her now. But what comes out of my mouth is, "Sure."

  Bianca eyes me and smirks as I hold the door open for Wren. I'm pretty sure she knows about the crush I had, and I beg with my eyes for her to not say anything. Zipping her fingers across her mouth, she acts like she's throwing away the key. Thank God. For all the ways she likes to torture me, at least she's keeping her mouth shut about this. Who knows how long that will last?

  Wren follows behind me as I lead us out of Life in Ink. The restaurant is right across the street, but I'm not about to cross the street without going to a light. That's a good way for both of us to get run over.

  "So," she drawls, "how long have you been working here?"

  Small talk. I can do that without making an ass of myself. "Not long. A couple of weeks. It's just a job for the summer before college starts."

  "Walker never mentioned anything about you going to college."

  The light turns red, and the little walking guy blinks on. I reach behind me for her hand, and to my surprise, she takes it. "Yeah. I'm going to one of the local schools until I figure out what I want to do with my life."

  "I totally get that." I can hear the smile in her voice. "There are days I feel the same way."

  We're safely across the street, and she doesn't let go of my hand. "Really?"

  "Yeah, I mean, I knew I wanted to be an artist. Being able to put it on people's skin is amazing, but where I was, I didn't know if it was something that would always bring me joy."

  "Well, you've definitely come to the right place. The plus side, you already know Bianca. As much as they treat me like a little brother, the shop is pretty chill."

  "That's good to know. I'm terrified your sister will let me loose too soon and I'll screw up someone's tattoo."

  "You should be. I've seen your art, and I know you'll do amazing."

  "Thanks."

  We're both quiet as I open the door to the restaurant and let her enter before me. She still hasn't let go of my hand. I don't want to look too far into it, but is it possible she likes me? Or did she at one time? If so, she gave no sign. Back then, I would have worshipped the ground she walked on. Hell, I'd probably do it now if given the chance.

  The place is almost empty, and we walk straight up to the counter. Normally, I'd call the order in, but I was trying to get out of the shop and away from Wren. Anything to stop making a fool of myself, but alas, that plan failed.

  "Anything in particular I should get?"

  "You can't go wrong with anything here. I promise." My phone dings in my pocket, and I reluctantly pull my hand from hers to grab it.

  I groan when I see who the text is from. Walker's name appears in a little bubble on the screen. This is not good. He's going to freak if I tell him I'm with his sister. But he had to know it was going to happen with her working at the shop. It was inevitable.

  As good as her hand felt in mine, and as much as I want to see if maybe she feels anything for me, I don't know if I should. I know for a fact he wouldn't be okay with it.

  Chapter Four

  WREN

  Now that Christian's hand isn't in mine, I feel naked. I know that sounds absurd, but it's true. I guess those crush feelings are still there. Too bad it seems like he's had a sudden shift in his mood.

  "Is everything okay?" My eyes follow his to his phone, and I know why he's not as talkative as he was only moments ago.

  It's a text from my brother. There's no way he knows we're out at lunch together. Well, I can't even say that. We're getting food to take back to the shop.

  Walker has always been territorial, doing his best to keep areas of his life separate. I'm in one category because I'm his sister. Christian is another because he's his best friend. He would flip his shit if he knew the two categories have mingled. Even if it's innocent.

  "Yeah," Christian nods and slides his phone back into his pocket. Not a word about my brother mentioned. "Are you ready to order?"

  "Sure." I haven't even looked at the menu. "I'll get whatever you and your sister get."

  "Including the jalapenos?"

  My gulp is visible, and the corner of his mouth turns up. "Do I have the option of taking them off?"

  He slaps his hand on the countertop. His laugh is loud in the mostly empty restaurant. "Yes. They will make it any way you want it. It doesn't have to be exactly the way I get it."

  "Good."

  A server rushes toward us and takes our order. She tells us it will be fifteen minutes and we can sit wherever we'd like while we wait.

  "So..." I clasp my hands in front of me on the table. It's a barrier between me and him. A wall I'm putting up because, in all honesty, I don't need to be in a relationship. Not with someone younger than me, and definitely not my brother's best friend. "Do you enjoy working at Life in Ink?"

  "It's not bad." Christian shrugs. He leans on his elbows, but I can tell he wants to slide his hand into mine again. The way his arms shift closer and closer until they are inches away from mine.

  "That's not exactly a ringing endorsement."

  "It was the tattoo shop, or plumbing." He lays one arm down and it grazes my skin, sending a shiver through me. "I chose air conditioning."

  "Smart man," I grin. "Will you pursue a career in tattooing? Or will you do something else?"

  "Honestly, I don't know. I've spent so much time fitting into boxes people needed me to be in that I don' know what I truly enjoy."

  "I feel you there. Though, for as long as I can remember, I've wanted to do art."

  "I know." His arm is now against mine, and his thumb glides back and forth across my arm. I'm not sure if he realizes he's doing it, but he traces a line down my arm, and I know it's on purpose. "I remember when you used to draw roses down your arm. Your talent fascinated me then, just as much as it does now."

  "How do you know what my art looks like now?"

  He points to a dreamcatcher on my forearm. "Because this piece has your signature look written all over it."

  It's insane how well he knows my art when he hasn't seen me in so long. He's just as sweet as I remember him, but the guilty way he looked at his phone when my brother text him says so much.

  "Thank you." I glance toward the bar top, but our order isn't up yet. "Can I ask you something?"

  "Sure. I'm an open book." The confidence he's exuding now is the polar opposite of how he acted in the shop. I've never in my life seen him fall over anything.

  This question is likely to blow up in my face, but I don't care. I need to know. Especially since I'll be working with him until he starts college.

  "Did you have a thing for me in high school?"

  "Uh, um," he stutters. So much for that confidence. "Could you tell?"

  "Not really," I shrug. He pulls his arm away, but I grab his hand. "Don't. It's nice being around someone I kind of know."

  "It is," he agrees. His palm is sweaty. No doubt his nerves are in overdrive. "Though, if anything were to happen to us, Walker would lose his shit."

  He's right. I need to stop going down this path. This could ruin my relationship with my brother, as well as his friendship with Christian.

  "You're right," I pull my hand from his. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking."

  Before he says anything else, the server calls his name. He stands, waiting for me to stand as well, before heading to the bar.

  The walk back to the shop is silent. We keep our distance, not letting either of us get too close to the other. Things are weird now, and it's all my fault. I should have kept my mouth shut. But no, I had to know. This might blow up in my face, and my time at Life in Ink might be over before it even started.

  Chapter Five

  CHRISTIAN

  I grab my box from the bag and make my way to the break room, leaving Wren with Bianca. I have no idea what the hell just happened back there, but I'm pretty sure she was hinting at having a thing for me in school as well. Maybe she still does. Dios mio, I really wish I had someone I could talk to about this.

  Walker would be first on my list, but this isn't something I can discuss with him. As much as I wish I could, it's a bad idea. He'd get pissed at Wren, and the last thing I want to do is throw a wrench into their relationship. With siblings of my own, I know how important that bond is. He'd also murder me for thinking about his sister at all.

  "You look like you have a lot on your mind." My fork flies out of my hand at the sound of Corey's voice. A guy as big as him shouldn't be able to move so silently.

  "You should make some noise when you enter a room," I grumble as I pick up the fork from the floor and toss it in the trash. Grabbing another fork from the middle of the table, I dig into the cheesy fries.

  "Then I wouldn't be able to scare the hell out of you kids. Why take away all the fun?"

  "Whatever you say, old man." I take another bite.

  "So, Charleigh says you have a thing for Wren."

  Of course, she did. Why can't she mind her own business? She doesn't have to stick her foot into every little thing happening in this shop. "Charleigh has a big mouth."

  "Spoken like a true little sibling," he chuckles. "And you're not wrong. I take it you knew her before she showed up in the lobby?"

  "Yeah," I say between bites. "She's my best friend's sister. Had a crush on her from eighth grade until she moved away when I was a sophomore."

  "Do you still have a crush on her?"

  Shrugging, I take another bite. Anything to hold off answering the question. "Maybe? I don't know. It's possible I never stopped. But I'm not sure it's worth ruing my friendship with Walker over."

  Corey says nothing for a few moments, letting my admission sink in. "Do you think he'd understand if you pursued your crush?"

  I snort, unable to help it. "I'm going to go with no. Anytime someone mentions his sister, he gets mad." It's one reason he only allows a select few to be close with. If he even caught a friend glancing toward Wren, he would end that friendship.

  "You never know. Maybe he'd be okay with it."

  Would he? I think not, but it's worth a shot. Especially after the vibe she was giving me when we picked up the food. That doesn't come out of nowhere. She has to have some sort of feelings toward me. Right?

  "Do you really think I should? I've already made an ass of myself twice today. I don't want to do it again."

  Corey leans back as if he can see through the wall of the break room. He's so annoying sometimes. "I saw the way she was watching you when you came back to the shop. I think it's worth looking into."

  "Has anyone mentioned you're as nosey as your niece?"

  This time, his laugh is loud. "Your sister has many times. Where do y'all think she gets it from?"

  "You have a point." I look at my half-finished burger and fries. I'll wait until I'm done eating. There's time. "I'll think about it."

  "Good." Corey nods as he stands. "Let me know if you need any advice."

  I roll my eyes as he leaves the room. This shop is full of busybodies. Butting in when they aren't wanted. If I had a guess, Bianca asked Corey to talk to me. It's the only thing that makes sense. Not that he's ever treated me like crap, but because he's the father figure of the shop.

  I want to ask her, but that means being around Wren again. And I can't take that today. My phone buzzes on the table. Shit. I forgot to text Walker back.

  Grabbing my phone, I lean back in my chair. Wondering what I should say to him. Telling him I've always had feelings for his sister is not a conversation to be had over text messages.

  Walker: Hey, what are you doing tonight?

  Christian: Working. You know damn well I don't get out of here until after midnight.

  Walker: Want to come over when you get off? I got a new game.

  Christian: It depends how tired I am. The appointment book is pretty full.

  The dots on the message show up and disappear. Finally, they show up again seconds before his next text comes through.