Nina |18+|

01

"I was caught up, Nina," Cheryl explained, and I heard the sound of her car door slam shut. Caught up. I didn't miss the sound of her girlfriends greeting her as she left the restaurant.

The worst part of her tardiness was the fact that she wasn't doing anything of the utmost importance. She was out for a brunch, as she did nearly every day.

"That's okay," I said. "Just be home in five minutes. Please."

Cheryl heaved a sigh. "I know."

"Thank you."

I put the phone off, sparing a glance at the time. 1:30pm. The drive from Cheryl's house to the tattoo parlour was twenty five minutes, without traffic. I started feeling anxious, and the rage was undeniable.

I didn't want to miss my appointment, and I hated being late.

Approximately seven minutes later, Cheryl pulled up the driveway. I greeted her kids and made my way down the porch, only stopping to accept the money she owed me. She didn't say anything else, but the slump in her shoulders and crossed arms told me that she was disappointed I had fucked up her day for her.

Well, that makes two of us Cheryl.

I got in my car, quickly reversing out of the driveway and almost knocking over one of the bins on the pavement. Cheryl watched me from the porch, and I saw her inaudibly scoff at me as she couldn't believe I was leaving.

I waved politely, not allowing her antics to ruin my mood any further. I was too excited for my tattoo and although it was only a consultation to talk and discuss, it was the first step and I was so fucking ready for it. I needed it. Not because of some sentimental value, but simply because I had my heart set on it for weeks.

The stress from the past few days weighed heavy on me, and a little adventure in my life was the only thing capable of relieving me. As terribly sad as that sounded, I didn't care. I drove as quickly as my car would let me, watching the minutes tick by until it struck two and I was officially late.

For fucks sake. 

Whoever Theo was, I hoped that he would grant me a little grace.

I doubted it, but I was going to try.

It took five more minutes to reach the unfamiliar parking, and added minutes to parallel park after at least two failed attempts. I was nervous that I was too late, but the open sign on the outside of the shop shone green and bright.

I had just put the handbrake up and grabbed my bag when the light switched off and the door opened, revealing a tall and dark haired man.

And it looked like he was leaving.

My eyes widened and I opened the door, rushing out and ignoring the heavy wind that I would have complained about any other day. I was too distracted to pay any mind to it.

The man had his back to me, his t-shirt shifting as his muscles flexed when he raised his tattooed arm. He had his hand clasped on the shutter door, and he was about to pull it down when I stopped him.

"Theo?" I called out hesitantly, almost grimacing at the revelation that it might not even be him. He stopped, his hand unravelling from the garage door and he turned around with the keys still between his fingers.

I didn't know what to expect, but it definitely wasn't that.

Damn.

I literally had to force myself to not check him out.

His dark eyes met mine, and the frown he once sported melted away into a stoic expression. "Nina?"

I nodded, giving him a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry I'm late."