Free Love & Curses (Cursed Ink) by Debbie Gould, L.J. Garland Page A

fabric were too distracting. Damn, he wished he could’ve played things out a little longer, had another tumble or two before it all had gone to shit.
    She stepped into her sandals and marched to the door, and he followed after her.
    “Okay, sooo….” He faced her, naked from head-to-toe, giving her one last chance to check out what she was giving up. “I’ll call you tomorrow, then.”
    Her hand on doorknob, she stopped, a strained laugh erupting from her throat. “Sure, Ben. You call.”
    Jerking the door open, she stormed out, slamming the cheap panel of wood behind her.
    “Well, all right,” he muttered. With a sigh, he checked his watch. Five o’clock. He had another client scheduled at the parlor for six thirty. Just enough time to get a shower, grab some grub, and get there.
     
    ***
     
    Calista made it home in record time, dodging most of the stares from people on the trolley and sidewalk. She didn’t need their pity-filled glances to know she looked a mess. She’d thrown her clothes on in a haphazard manner, and her damn tears had caused her mascara to streak down her face.
    God, what an idiot she was.
    She turned the corner of her street and slammed into another pedestrian. Ducking her head, she mumbled, “Sorry,” and stepped to the side to scurry away.
    “Calista, dear, I’ve been waiting for you.”
    She lifted her chin and grimaced. Crap, Aunt Nadya .
    “I was just giving up.” Her aunt gave her a good look. “Oh my! What’s wrong , my dear?”
    She cringed. She so did not want to get into this with her wacky aunt. “It’s nothing. I got something in my eye, and it hasn’t stopped watering since.”
    “Hooey. It’s that boy you’ve been seeing, isn’t it?”
    Unable to hold the tears back any longer, she broke down, right there in the middle of the sidewalk. “Oh, Auntie, I thought he might be the one this time. I really did. I know we were together just a couple weeks, but there was something about him. He was funny and smart and mysterious, and my foolish heart bought every bit. Hook, line, and sinker.” She wiped at her nose with the back of her hand and shook her head. “To top it all off, it will be impossible to ever forget him because of the stupid bird I let him tattoo on me.”
    Her aunt hugged her tight then wiped away her tears. “Don’t you worry, my dear, your soul mate is out there. All you have to do is open your eyes and see him. As for your tattoo? You can always have it removed.” She patted her shoulder. “Now, go home and have a nice warm soak. Everything will work out. You’ll see.”
    Calista embraced her aunt once more and continued down the street to her house. A soul mate? If only she could believe her aunt’s words.
     
    ***
     
    Ben glanced at his watch and then rolled his shoulders. Midnight. It’d taken him six hours to ink an intricate Celtic knot snake on some dude’s thigh—and he was damned thankful it’d been his leg and not the guy’s junk. Finished cleaning all his equipment, he headed toward the door.
    “Damn fine work, Walker,” the owner, Big Ed said.
    “Thanks. Night.” Ben patted the doorjamb twice on his way out. From behind him came a “bye” and “see ya” from fellow artists, who were finishing cleanup.
    Outside, the humid New Orleans night air engulfed him. Sounds of partiers floated to him from four blocks away. He walked down the sidewalk to the parking lot next to the building.
    He dug in his pocket for his phone, his fingers grasping the familiar rectangular object. He hesitated. Hmm. Since Calista had freaked out and needed some time to chill, it would probably be best to wait till tomorrow to call her like he’d told her he would.
    He strode across the gravel lot, the dull fluorescent lamplight casting a long shadow to his side and up the wall of the parlor. As he approached his car, he pulled out his keys but paused before using the fob to unlock the doors. Maybe he should drop by the festivities over on