One
Penny
The door swings open, the bell ringing as Oscar steps in. Sweat beads his forehead and temples. In the thick of the July heat, sweat on anyone’s brow wouldn’t be odd. But I know my boss. He cranks the air conditioning as high and cold as possible March through November.
Why the hell is he sweating so much?
Popping my gum, I lean into Autumn and whisper, “Is it just me or does Oscar look nervous?”
Autumn regards Oscar as he steps farther into the shop, not making eye contact or greeting any of us. “Yeah, something is definitely off.” She twists to face me. “Think he’s okay?” She clamps her lips between her teeth. “It’s odd he asked us all here on a Sunday.”
Oscar’s Tattoo Emporium has been my second home for the last twelve years. To say I know this place inside and out is an understatement. This place has seen thousands of clients. Won local awards for Best Tattoo Shop in the Bay Area for several years. Had a few artists come and go, but the core of our family has remained solid.
So when I study the man across the room, watch how his foot taps incessantly as he checks his phone every other breath, I know something isn’t right.
As I open my mouth to ask Autumn what she thinks is happening, Oscar looks up and finally greets us.
“Hey, everyone.” He lifts a hand in an awkward wave. “Sorry to steal part of your Sunday. This won’t take long. Promise.” He taps the screen of his phone, takes a deep breath, then stows it in his pocket. “I have news.”
I stop breathing for one, two, three seconds.
With the nervous energy radiating off him, I have a sneaking suspicion the news is not good.
Oscar looks at each of us in turn as he works his jaw. “I’m selling the shop.”
The room turns deathly quiet as we all register what he just said. When my brain connects his words with reality, I chew the gum in my mouth faster. Blow a bubble and stare at the man who hired me years ago. He looks tired. Why haven’t I noticed?
I pop the bubble and blurt, “Why?”
All eyes dart to me, but I don’t care. I need to know why my family is being sold. Well, we aren’t being sold. Not really. Of all his recent visits, Oscar has given no hints he considered selling the shop. Either he has hidden it well or something happened with him or his family.
The corners of his eyes soften as Oscar regards me. “Penny, I’d love to run the shop until I stop breathing.” His lips flatten for a beat. “But Chelle isn’t doing well.” What happened to his wife? “She just had her annual checkup and the doctor found a growth on her ovary.” He runs a hand through his hair. Pain mars his face as he scans the room. “I need to be there for her and Clarissa. As much as I love this place, the chain of shops, I need to sell. So I can be home.”
Before he gets another word out, Autumn and I rush across the room to wrap him in our arms. Iliana, Rex, and Reznor surround us a beat later. We just hold this man. Give him strength when he needs it most. I may not like that he has to sell the shop, but I understand his reasons.
Oscar complains we are making him hot, then laughs as we break apart. “Thanks for the support. It means a lot.” He rubs his hands together. “Part two.” He winces. “The new owner will be here soon.”
I groan and everyone else laughs.
Some people may say I am a bit much. Extra. Special. Those people would be correct. What can I say? I own who I am. I like what I like. And, nine times out of ten, I am a creature of habit.
No doubt Oscar did his homework before selling his business. Whoever the new owner is, they are probably as great as he is. Surely, he spoke with several buyers before choosing.
But I don’t want someone new. I want Oscar. He is our family too.
“If I may…” Reznor lifts his hand like this is grade school and he needs permission to speak. Oscar tips his head at Reznor. “I also have news.”
We all stare and wait. When he doesn’t continue, I say, “Well, spit it out.”
“Tatyana and I are pregnant again.” The room erupts into cheers. “And I proposed.” Autumn claps her hands over her mouth. “She said yes.” Louder cheers fill the room. Congratulations shared with hugs. When the room settles again, he adds, “Which is why I was going to ask for fewer hours.”
What. The. Shit is happening?
In less than ten minutes, it feels like our perfect little family is going in separate directions. And I am not okay with this. While everyone chats with Reznor, smiles plastered across their faces, I slowly melt inside. Metaphorically fall to the floor and curl into a ball.
I should be happy for Reznor. Should be excited for him, Tatyana, and Ashton. Should be smiling and asking if he knows if he will soon have a daughter or another son.
Instead, I stand paralyzed. Unable to muster up an ounce of joy for my friend.
Everyone is moving on.
Autumn and Jonas got married almost two months ago. They live in a beautiful house. Have a family. Reznor and Tatyana will be in the same position soon too.
Iliana hasn’t mentioned any life-changing events. She lives a low-key life with her girlfriend, and their relationship is still young.
And Rex… well, Rex is just Rex. Once the roommate I wanted to throttle, he has matured since he took over Autumn’s room in the apartment. Do I hate that we still share a bathroom? Absolutely. But at least I don’t have to ask him to pick up his boxers and socks anymore. We also set up house rules for nights when either of us has company. Overall, he has been a great roommate.
“You okay?” Autumn asks as she sidles up to me by the reception counter.
“Yes. No.” I stare back at my best friend. “I don’t know.” Exhaling, I shake my head. “Feels like everyone but me is moving forward.”
“Oh, Pen.” She wraps her arms around me and squeezes tightly. “We’re all moving forward, just some of our paths have shifted. Yours will too.”
“I’m not so sure.” She unravels from the hug. “Not like anyone is knocking on my door, Auti.”
We glance across the room at the guys and Iliana as they chat. Autumn clutches my hand. “You know I felt the same way before Jonas.” She meets my gaze. “When it’s meant to, change will happen for you too. Everything in its own time.”
No matter how many times or how many ways I have heard that everything happens for a reason, I have yet to let it sink in. To root itself in my head and morph itself into truth. I should believe it. Autumn is proof. Maybe I don’t believe it yet because I haven’t been on the receiving end. Not yet.
I chew my gum and try to let in positive vibes. Everything happens when it’s meant to. I blow a bubble so big, it blocks my line of sight. Just as I go to pop it, the bell over the front door jingles.
Shit. New boss.
I pop the bubble, tuck the gum in my cheek and drop my gaze as I smooth my hands down my thighs. Had I known I was meeting a new boss today, I would’ve worn something besides denim cutoffs and a graphic tee. Not that we dress fancy here. Too late now.
A pair of black leather boots come into view as I finish chastising my own attire. Slowly, my eyes rake up a pair of denim-clad legs, a black button-up—sleeves rolled to the elbows exposing a full sleeve of tattoos on both arms—to meet the person who bought the shop from Oscar. My favorite shade of blue stares back at me and my jaw drops.
“Jameson?”
Jameson Kingsley. My brother’s best friend. A guy I crushed on most of my adolescence and fantasized about occasionally in adulthood. This is my new boss.
Fuck.
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