One Time Only

Chapter 3

Harry and Louis walk into Starbucks, order their coffe, then go sit down. It's been a month since Harry's found the perfect place to remodel and turn into Styles Ink, today being the day for the grand opening has him and Louis out early to make sure everything is ready.

Harry sighs before taking a sip of his iced coffee. Taking one look at him a person wouldn't be able to tell he is worth millions, the way he dresses, the tattoos. But at his young age of 26, Harry and his best friend Louis were able to turn their love of art into a very lucrative business by giving tattoos to the people who desire them. Harry's specialty being portraits, Louis' is making nature come to life, though they're both really good at it all.

Louis looks at Harry. "You about ready to get this new venture underway?"

Harry nods. "I just hope Americans like tattoos as much as the British do." He chuckles.

Louis laughs. "What makes you think they don't?" He asks.

"For one, I haven't seen many people walking around with tattoos. Another thing is, have you seen a tattoo shop around here?" Harry asks his friend.

Louis shakes his head. "You do have a point there. But that might be a good thing, no competition means you get all the clients."

"People have to want the tats in order for us to have the clients, Lou." Harry says. "But sitting here isn't helping, let's go." He says standing up. Just as Harry gets to the door a beautiful younger lady walks in, holding the door open for her, he feels his heart skip a beat when she looks up and smiles. When her eyes meet his Harry is shocked, her eyes are the most amazing color he's ever seen. Feeling Louis nudge him in the back, Harry nods and walks out the door.
.................

Jerica stood staring out her condo windows, debating on if she should go to her studio and try to paint again or not. With a sigh she throws on a little bit of makeup, an oversized t-shirt that belongs to her brother and some leggings and walks out the door. Stopping at her favorite coffee shop Jerica reaches for the door when it opens and one of the tallest and most handsome guys she's ever seen is standing there. With a slight smile and a nod she slips inside and heads toward the counter to get her iced coffee.

"Hey, Jeri, want your usual?" Andi asks when she sees the next customers walk up.

"Yes please." Jerica says in her soft spoken voice.

"Tammy, fix Jeri her usual will you?" Andi yells as she leans against the counter. "How's Timmy?"

"He's okay, he was able to go outside yesterday for a bit." Jerica says with tears in her eyes.

Andi reaches out and places her hand on Jerica's arm. "What is it hun?"

"He's just so weak. And with him being stuck in that damn chair, his kidneys not working like they should be. I'm just scared I'm going to lose him after fighting so hard to keep him with me." Jerica whispers, trying not to cry.

"Hun, maybe this is what you need to make you start painting again. Get these emotions out, that way when you go see that brother of yours he won't be able to detect how you feel." Andi says.

Jerica reaches across the counter and hugs one of her only friends in this town. "Maybe you're right. Thanks Andi." Jerica whispers as she places a twenty on the counter and walks out. As Jerica draws closer to her studio she sees a large crowd of people, the closer she gets the louder the noise seems to be. She then realizes it's coming from the, what once was, vacant space next to her studio. Which now looks like a tattoo shop. Jerica just hopes they aren't planning on playing music that loud all the time, she doesn't want to be a bitch and complain.
Once inside her own place, Jerica is surprised at how quiet it is, maybe the new owners next door were thoughtful enough to do some soundproofing so not to disturb others to much. Walking over to her table, she pick up her pallet and throws it away, she then gets a new one out of the cabinet and stands in front of the blank canvas. Jerica just stares at it for several seconds before picking up several tubes of paint.