DRAWN

Ryder

She confidently walked up to Jack, the most tatted up guy in the shop. Jack pointed to me and the look of shock on her face told me two things. One she just asked for the owner and two she wasn’t expecting the owner of a tattoo shop to have no visible tattoos or piercings. I get that look a lot. Most people don’t know that this was never my dream job. I’d rather see my art on something other than a human canvas but this was the path of least resistance. When my mom passed 10 years ago she left me enough money to get started. I had just graduated high school and didn’t know what I’d do. My friend Jack suggested I use my killer drawing skills and open up a tattoo shop. It wasn’t easy at first or even the years following but after 10 years I can honestly say it wasn’t one of his worst ideas.

Sadie

I had only been in town an hour and I already came across a help wanted sign. Not just any help wanted sign, they were needing a tattoo artist and guess what my last two jobs were. It was perfect. As I walk in I immediately notice six feet of tats and piercings. Thinking he must be the owner I walk over and tell him I’m wanting to apply for the job. The last thing I ever expected was for him to point me in the direction of a beautiful man with not a hint of ink sitting at a desk in the corner. He looked so out of place. I gave him a polite smile and strode over to the desk.

I reach across to shake his hand, “Hi, I’m Sadie.”

“Rider…..the owner”, he says with a knowing grin.

“Yea…so I’m wanting to apply for the position.” I say, releasing his hand.

“And what position would that be?” he says with a playful look on his face. He’s not gonna go easy on me I can tell.

“ I have experience as a tattoo artist and piercer. Of course I could start out answering phones or anything else you need.”

I wince a little at how that sounded. He stares at me for a second before I realize he’s looking at my lips. I subconsciously lick them and he shakes his head and stands up.

” I’m sorry, I’m not sure I can let you work here.”

“ And why not?” I ask, putting both hands on my hips.

“Well, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to date an employee.”

Flattered but also surprised, I take a step back.

RIDER

I can’t believe I just said that. I haven’t even been on a date in three years. Not since my sister died and I became my niece’s guardian. I take a step back like she did. Maybe I should just laugh it off and tell her she has the job. She beats me to it though.

“Tell you what, I’ll help out for a while and if you can find me another job I’ll go on that date with you.”

Where’d this girl come from?

“I like your confidence and the idea. Come in tonight and we’ll find you something to do. 8 o'clock?”

“Deal.” she says as she shakes my hand with the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.

Yea I’m definitely finding her another job.