“Where are you having it?” I ask him, breathless.
He taps his chest. “Right here above my heart.”
“You’re sure you want to do this?” I ask him. I mean, I’m thrilled by the gesture, but he is having a part of me etched into his skin. “That’s a very permanent thing. I mean what if..?”
He places a finger on my mouth, silencing me. “You are a permanent thing, Manchester.”
I can’t help the shit-eating smile that breaks out on my face. I mean, he is having me tattooed above his heart.
“I love it,” I say, and instantly his shoulders relax. “I want to get the same.”
Grayson smiles but shakes his head. “This isn’t why I am doing this. I don’t want you to feel obliged to do the same.”
This time it’s me who puts my hand over his mouth. “Shut-up and listen. I don’t feel obliged. I want to do this.”
He stares at me blankly for a minute, and then he breaks out into a beautiful smile, that I can feel all the way to my soul. “I fucking love you,” he says before he pulls my head back to his and kisses me in a way that makes my toes curl and my heart stutter.
Kyle comes back in and gives us a knowing grin. He so knows we were making out in here. Grayson takes his top off and Kyle begins his work.
I sit beside Grayson and quietly watch in fascination as the tattoo takes shape and when he finally adds in ‘Manchester,’ I have to fight the goddamn tears in my eyes.
We leave a few hours later, and Grayson’s tattoo is complete. I also leave with another piercing in my ear and a booking to come back next week and have the same Celtic knot done as Gray. I asked Grayson to step out of the room whilst I asked Kyle to add in something a little extra into my design. I want it to be a surprise for Gray.
“I’m starving,” I admit, as we walk back down the high street. I look at my watch and it’s already one-thirty in the afternoon. “Where next?”
“I’m going to feed you,” he tells me as we reach the car and we both climb inside. We drive for around twenty minutes and as he turns a corner, I recognise where we are.
“Seriously?” I turn my head and ask him. “Have I told you, you are without doubt the best boyfriend, ever?”
Grayson laughs and squeezes my thigh. He parks the car outside the place that chocolate dreams are made of. Slater’s is well known in the area. It is a cake and chocolate shop but it also has a restaurant upstairs and they do the most amazing afternoon teas, orgasmic cakes and the chocolate is out of this world.
I clasp on to Grayson’s hand, buzzing with anticipation as he advises the waitress that we have a table booked. She leads us through the Alice in Wonderland themed restaurant.
“You booked the cage?” I squeal in delight as I see where we are heading. The cage is a seating area that is contained in what looks like a giant birdcage. Its ceiling is covered in fairy lights and pretty flowers, and the seating consists of comfy sofas and cushions depicting scenes from the book. “How?” I ask him as we take our seats. This place is very popular. You have to book months in advance and you can only book the bird cage if there are at least six of you.
“Surprise!” Say several voices at once, making me jump in my seat. I turn round with my hand on my chest to find my family here, and Izzy and Lottie.
I shake my head and tear up. “You guys. Wow, what a surprise.”
Olly runs at me and throws himself at me, squeezing me tight. “We’re in a birdcage,” he exclaims.
“I know buddy, isn’t it cool?”
He leans back so he can see my face and he nods. “I left school early,” he tells me. He whispers in my ear like it is some big secret.
“You did?” I reply, feigning shock. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
“Deal,” he says me with a serious face and offers me his pinkie. I link my little finger with his and we shake it down three times.
“Olly, come and sit down properly and then we can eat,” Sophie tells him and he puts out his bottom lip but then takes the seat on the other side of me.
Grayson nods to the waitress, and she disappears and shortly reappears with another server and they bring out cake stands all filled with delicate sandwiches and delicious looking cakes. Next they bring out tea and coffee, and just when I don’t think this can get any better, they bring a bottle of pink champagne to the table.
When we all have our cups filled with either tea or coffee, my dad stands with his teacup in his hand and clears his throat.
“Today we are celebrating a very special birthday. My little girl is eighteen today. I have missed all of those eighteen years, but I intend to be a part of every one of your years from now on.” He tears up and it makes me do the same. “I am so proud of you, sweetie. You are such a beautiful, loving and kind soul, but not only that you are a warrior. The past two years you have gone through so much and you survived it, and still kept that sparkle that makes you, you.” My dad clears his throat, fighting with his emotions. Sophie dabs at her eye with a tissue and Abi places an arm around her mum’s shoulders. “Okay, I’d like to raise a toast to my beautiful daughter, Everly.”
“To Everly,” everyone cheers
