The close group of friends used to be inseparable, riding around town on their motorcycles and making oaths to always watch out for each other. Once they lost Theo, the group just dissolved without a word.

The parties used to be a Murph tradition, and it’s how we knew he was on the uphill side of one of his moods. That man has the ability to flip a switch some days, so we take advantage of it when we can.

I respectfully decline the invitation, although I enjoy Murph’s get-togethers. I make the excuse that Sierra will be with me, and I don’t need her hanging out with that crowd. They’re not really that bad, but they’re on the older side, and mostly guys, so it can get rowdy. The talk gets foul, and everyone ends up drunk.

She shows up after nine, and I know it’s her the second I hear the bells chime at the front. She’s standing there with her hands behind her back in a little dress that stops above her knees. Instead of her squeaky clean Chucks, she has black Doc Martens, and the whole look is dick-hardening material.

“Holy smokes, you look great,” I say in front of everyone, and she immediately blushes.

Even my client, a barely eighteen-year-old girl getting ‘Princess’ tattooed down her arm—fuck my life—looks up and admires Sierra’s perfection. “Cute boots,” she says before laying her head back down on her other arm.

Cute is not the word I would use. I don’t know what word I would use because my brain isn’t getting enough blood to think of words right now, but cute is definitely not it.

“I’ll just hang out here until you’re off, if that’s okay,” she says as she sits down on the empty chair next to mine. We used to have three artists in the shop, but the other guy left a couple years ago, and Murph hasn't even looked for anyone new. He doesn’t do too well with change.

“That’s fine. It might be a while…” I warn her. “We have people waiting.”

“No problem. I like hanging out here.”

Murph rounds the corner, checking his most recent client out at the front register. He sees Sierra and stops to do a double take. “Hey, there! You look like you’re ready for a party.”

I glare up at him with a warning look. When his eyes lock on mine, he only laughs at the intensity of my expression.

“Just hanging out,” Sierra answers him.

“Well, talk your boyfriend into bringing you to my party later. He should be showing you off.” He gives her a wink, and I don’t have to look up to see it.

“Murph.” My curt warning does nothing as he walks off, laughing, his deep voice echoing through the shop.

I finish the princess tattoo, seal up the ink, and give her the instructions she needs. When I walk back to sanitize my station and get ready for my next customer, Sierra is watching me with a glare full of lust and temptation.