Opposites Ignite by Sadira Stone (simple ebook reader .TXT) 📕

Lana’s eye roll smacked of over-acting. “Girl, I don’t have time for that love nonsense.” She moved to the closet and rifled through possible interview outfits. “I’m glad about you and Eddie, though. Never in a million years would I have put you two together, but you actually make a cute couple. And you seem more confident lately.”

Rosie snapped her fingers. “I’m always confident.”

“At the bar, yeah. But after all that talk about becoming a tattoo artist, you’re finally going for it. Plus, those window posters you drew for work are mega-cute. Shoulda volunteered for that ages ago.”

Lana had a point. Despite her worries about stepping on River’s toes, everyone at work praised her illustrations for their weekly window posters—River loudest of all.

Lana held up a sparkly sweater, scrunched her lips to the side, then hung it back in the closet. “And Eddie’s talking in full sentences instead of just grunting. I never noticed before how sweet his smile is. You two are good for each other.” Lana handed her a pair of stretchy dark jeans. “These make your ass look like a peach.”

“I’m interviewing with a woman, you know.”

“So? Maybe she digs girl butts. You never know.” Lana resumed her rummaging.

Rose shed her yoga pants and wiggled into her wardrobe mistress’s choice. “Something weird happened at lunch, though. We were at Doyle’s.”

“By the bookstore? I love that place. Their Reuben sandwich makes me wanna strip naked and rub it all over my body.”

“Kinky. Anyway, this woman sits down next to us. Turns out to be Eddie’s ex.”

“Really!” Lana spun, clutching an armload of tops. “Eddie has an ex?” At Rosie’s frown, she added, “I mean, of course he does. Just none of your caliber. What was she like?”

“Petite. Blonde. Giggly.” She flashed a wry grin to cover her itchy discomfort. She should be stronger than this, but knowing Eddie once fell for someone so conventionally cute flipped her insecurity switch to Red Alert.

Lana dumped the tops onto the bed, grasped Rosie’s shoulders, and fixed her with a stern look. “Ah-ah, none of that. You’re a gorgeous, sexy woman, and Eddie’s with you now.”

She sighed. “The operative word is now.”

“Bullshit. He looks at you like he won the lottery. Don’t go chasing down that comparison rabbit hole. Nothing good lives down there.”

“You’re right.” She blew out a breath and peeled off her T-shirt. “Which top?”

Lana tapped her pursed lips. “This tattoo lady is how old?”

“Don’t know, but word is she’s been around for a long time. One of the oldest studios in Tacoma.”

“I’d keep things understated then. Older ladies appreciate class, not flash.” She handed her a wrap-waist black sweater, then rummaged through Rosie’s jewelry box.

“Uh huh. And you know all about older ladies.”

Lana’s playful grin melted away. “Considering I have to keep my tías happy if me and my brothers wanna stay together, yeah. I’ve had to learn about the psychology of the over-fifty woman. Not to mention social workers.”

Rosie wrapped her arms around her friend’s shoulders and nuzzled her sleek black hair. “Hey, I’m sorry.” Since her parents’ death in a car crash, Lana had put her own career plans on hold to keep her two younger brothers together in the home they grew up in. She relied on her Bangers job and the good will of her family to keep the boys from being split up among the older relatives, all of whom had firm ideas about how to whip teen boys into shape.

Lana waved her off. “I’m fine. We’re together. Rent is paid. Pedro’s keeping his grades up, and Leo made the wrestling team.”

“Must be nice, being able to make your own choices without constantly hearing how you’re getting your own life wrong.”

Lana snorted. “Don’t gimme that shit. Everybody’s family has opinions. Means they love you, even if they’re a hundred percent wrong about what you need. My little brothers have endless opinions about my life—like they know shit about adulting.”

“Sounds like my sister. Do you listen to them?”

“Sometimes. Doesn’t hurt to keep an open mind. Also, appearing to consider their advice gets them off my back faster. Now, role play.” She wriggled out of Rosie’s embrace, plopped onto the bed, and poked her plush Cthulhu doll with her fingernail. “Buzz, buzz, buzz. I’m giving this guy a tattoo. Grab your portfolio and impress me.”

Chapter Fourteen

Rosie closed her eyes and whispered a prayer to the tattoo gods before pushing open the door of Inky Dreams Tattoo Studio. She stepped into a narrow hallway with exposed brick on one side. On the other, a huge, curved arrow in iris blue pointed to a spiral iron staircase. Tucked behind it, an old-fashioned elevator with a folding metal grate instead of a door.

Clutching her new and improved portfolio, she sucked in a breath, smoothed her jacket, and started to climb. She’d topped Lana’s chosen ensemble with a vintage blazer in dark purple velveteen—serious, but still cool. Small but attention-grabbing iridescent jewels sparkled from her ears. Similar jewels glittered from the eyes of the silver skull pendant nestled between her breasts. “Sophisticated lady,” Lana had pronounced, “with just a whiff of bad-ass bitch.”

Her steps echoed on the metal stairs. The small upstairs foyer held an empty desk, coat hooks, and rows of wooden cubbies. Rosie inspected the flash sheets covering the walls. All the classic designs were on display: cartoons, anchors, skulls, hearts, “Mom,” pin-up girls, snakes, eagles—plus snarling Samurai warriors, lifelike portraits of people and dogs, and variations of the Tacoma octopus. A velvet curtain obscured her view of the studio beyond and dampened familiar sounds—the rhythmic buzz of tattoo needles, soft conversation, and mellow electronic music. Atop the desk, an old-fashioned hotel bell sat beside a hand-lettered “Ring me” sign.

When Rosie dinged, a husky female voice called, “Shoes off, please. Put ’em in a cubby.”

Well, shit. So much for bad-ass. She’d worn her lucky fuzzy socks, candy-striped in pastel colors. She followed orders before peeking around the screen.

Black and white tiled floor, slate-gray