“Like I’d tell you,” April snaps sassily, and I jerk my head back, surprised by her tone.

The woman laughs, obviously not offended. “You’re not still mad about us showing up at the same place in the same dress, are you?”

“Mad that you looked better than me and stole the guy I was after right from under my nose? Why would I be mad about that?”

“He was a waste of time. You should be thanking me.” She shrugs with a coy smile.

“Like that’s ever gonna happen.” April rolls her eyes then asks, “Is Blossom set up?”

“She’s waiting for you.” Her eyes then come to me, and her head tips to the side as she studies me. “You’re the sister?”

“This is December. December, this is Lexi,” April introduces, waving her hand out.

Lexi’s eyes sweep over me again, making me feel awkward. I ignore that feeling and smile, saying, “Nice to meet you.”

Ignoring me she looks at April. “This adorable, obviously sweet girl is your sister? She’s wearing a cardigan,” Lexi states like it’s a crime to wear a cardigan. Then she places both her hands on the glass counter, looking over the top and down at my feet. “I knew it. She’s also wearing flats. They are leopard print, but they’re still flats.”

April sighs, and I can’t tell if she’s actually annoyed or just putting on a front. I’m not annoyed, but I am a little embarrassed and can feel my face getting red. “Can you tell Blossom we’re here?” April questions.

“Are you really going to get a tattoo?” Lexi finally acknowledges me, ignoring April’s question.

I want to say no, but there is something about this woman that makes me feel like I need to prove a point, that just because I’m dressed like I am doesn’t mean she knows me. “Yep.” I see April’s head swing my way, but I don’t look at her.

“Right the fuck on. Let’s get you some ink.” Lexi laughs then spins around and sashays away.

Crap, what have I done now?

“I don’t think you should get a tattoo tonight,” April says softly, and I turn my head to look at her. “You can watch as I get mine, and then if you still want, we can come back another time.”

“Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today,” I mutter, wondering where the books with the tattoos are. Maybe I can get a tiny ladybug or something.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“You were right. I’ve always wanted a tattoo. I don’t know if I can get the one I always wanted, because I think it will need to be designed, but this can be like a test run.”

“A test run?” She raises a brow.

“Yeah. A test run.”

“Okay, so what are you thinking of getting?”

“I don’t know. Maybe a ladybug.”

She snorts. “A ladybug? No fucking way. Tell Blossom what you want; she can draw it up. If you like it, get it. If you don’t, then don’t get anything. A tattoo is forever, and it should be something that means something to you. I don’t want you to get a tattoo just because Lexi is kinda a bitch.”

“I heard that,” Lexi says, coming around the corner, and my eyes widen slightly. “Don’t worry. Your sister and I have a love/hate relationship.” She smiles.

“It’s more of a hate/hate relationship,” April corrects.

Lexi laughs loud as a buzzer sounds, and like magic, a hidden door opens up. Lexi greets us on the opposite side then takes us down a hall. When we enter the large room, a plump, older woman with dark hair and striking blue eyes stands to greet us.

“April.” She hugs my sister then turns her attention to me. “You must be December.”

“I am.” I start to reach out my hand, but she stops me, pulling me in for a hug.

When she lets me go, she keeps a hold of me, and as I look into her eyes, I swear they seem familiar. I just don’t know why.

“You’re very pretty.”

“Thanks.” I feel my cheeks warm and her expression gentles.

“So what kind of tattoo are you thinking about getting?”

Since it’s something I’ve thought about a lot, even while believing I’d never get one, I give her the details of the design, along with the wording, and explain where I want it. When I’m done, her face is blank but her eyes are bright. “I don’t think I can draw that up and do it justice, but if you can wait a few minutes, I’ll send my nephew a message and see if he has time to come in and design it for you. He’s an amazing artist.”

“I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.”

“You’re not,” she assures me.

“All right,” I agree.

She smiles then grabs her phone and sends a message. When she’s done, she goes to a table and picks up a small piece of what looks like white parchment paper and hands it to April. “This is yours.”

“It’s perfect,” April says, and I get close to her side to get a better look at the paper. The drawing is not big, maybe two-by-two inches, but the detail is extraordinary. Straight lines and dots zigzag together, making a starburst that resembles a flower.

“Where are you getting it?” I ask my sister, and she looks over at me.

“The back of my neck.” She holds up her hair and points at the spot. “I plan on adding to it over time until it ends at my tailbone. It will be a process.”

“That’s going to look amazing.”

“I think so,” she says softly then asks, “Do you see it?”

“See what?” I question.

“Mom and Dad’s initials?” She looks back at the paper and I do the same.

I study the details until the N and A finally stand out to me, and then I feel my throat get tight. “Wow, that’s… that’s amazing,” I whisper.

“Blossom is amazing,” April whispers back. “I told her that I wanted a tattoo to represent our parents and my siblings, and she came up with the idea. Each one after this will have one initial hidden in the design to represent our sisters.”

“I can’t wait to see it when it’s complete.”

“Me neither,” she agrees then looks at Blossom. “Thank you, it really is perfect.”

“You know I love you, girl.” She smiles then picks up her cell when it dings. After she reads the message that pops up, she smiles at me. “My nephew is coming in. He said he’ll be here in about twenty minutes. While we wait for him, I’ll get started on April’s tattoo. By the time I’m done with hers, the design for yours should be complete and we can get to work.”

“Sounds good,” I tell her as my stomach starts to knot.

Am I really doing this? Crap. I am. I’m actually getting a tattoo. Feeling a little nauseous, I take a seat across the room, watching April take off her jacket and tie up her hair before getting on what looks like a low massage table. She lies like Blossom instructs, with her head down and her chin over the edge, seeming completely relaxed.

Not sure it’s wise for me to watch what happens next, I pull out my Kindle and try to read. It’s a lost cause when the sound of a soft buzz fills the silence, making me hyperaware of what’s going on. Just as I’m about to stand and get closer to watch Blossom work, there’s a knock on the door before it opens. Instinctively, I turn toward it, and when I do, my stomach bottoms out.