Oceanside

Chapter 47

Silas

"Or maybe this one." Odette pointed to one of the fonts in the book.

My arms were wrapped loosely around her middle, my chin resting on the top of her head while she looked through the tattoo artists' book. It had been a long time coming for me to get a permanent mark on my body representing Odette's claim.

I had planned to do it earlier but Louisiana interfered with those plans a bit. Now with Odette safe and settled in we could focus on our future. This was one of the steps I wanted to take right away.

It was important for me to make sure Odette knew how much I was hers. She had expressed her want to have something similar to a mark for me and I was going to make that happen.

"Whichever one you want angel," I said probably for the tenth time today.

"Yeah but give me some guidance here." She flipped the page. "It is going on your skin forever."

"You're right, but it's your choice. You know I'll like whatever I picked because you picked it."

"So if I told you to tattoo a rainbow unicorn on your forehead you'd do it?" she countered.

I knew this trick. She wanted me to gawk at her choice and tell her what I wanted. I knew she was bluffing; she wouldn't pick something so ridiculous. But I was honest with what I said. I would like whichever she picked because it was what she liked.

Neither one of us got a choice on how her mark looked but I loved it nonetheless. It was a part of me shared with her. I wanted the same for mine.

"If that's what you like." I shrugged lightly.

She groaned and shifted her stance against me. "Silas," she complained. "Seriously help me."

My decision changed instantly with her words. "Here." I reached out and flipped the page back. "Pick form one of these." I pointed to the three different fonts.

She straightened, focusing on the ones I pointed out. I felt her emotions settle as well as my mind. She was more content with having a smaller selection. She stared at the page for a long while before her finger moved to the space under one of the fonts.

"This one?" she asked.

The font was simple but elegant. It had a slight lean to it with the end of the letters curving just a hint. It suited her.

"Is it too girly?"

"No," I said. "I like it."

She huffed and I didn't have to see her face to know she rolled her eyes. "Of course you'd say that. Excuse me," she called out to the tattoo artist prepping his tools. She held up the book, pointing to the letters. "Is this too girly?"

Levi glanced up from his station. His eyes went from the book to mine. I raised my eyebrow with a look that told him not to fuck this up.

"No." He looked back to her. "It's actually a common font for people to choose. It's pretty neutral."

"Thank you," she said then dropped the book back to the countertop. Speaking to me now she tapped the glossy paper. "Then I think this one. I don't want something crazy bold."

"Oh so you trust Levi's opinion over mine?" I teased.

She wiggled enough away from me to face me. "You'll agree with anything I say," she argued.

"Not true. I didn't let you buy me that shirt the other day. You liked that one too."

She deadpanned. "Because you bought the other three. That doesn't count."