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“I’m going home,” said Dahlia.
Essence’s phone beeped. She pulled it out. “I guess this must be the cerberus.”
“What do they say?” said Decker.
Dahlia was getting up and heading for the bar, and Niles was going after her.
“Hey, Dahlia, I didn’t say I never want to have kids, just that I’m not sure, is all.”
“Which is why I keep saying you’ve got time to get sure,” she said.
“Okay, but when you say that, what if I get sure that I don’t want kids?”
“We’ll deal with that then,” she said. “We might break up before then, anyway.”
Niles pushed out of the table and went over to her, wrapping his tail around her legs. “No,” he said in a low voice.
“I’m going home,” she said, pushing on his chest.
“I’m coming with you,” said Niles, eyes on her, hand on the bar. “Cash me out, Jeff.”
“Got it, sir,” said Jeff.
“I think what you mean is, ‘May I accompany you home, Dahlia?’” But Dahlia was giving him an affectionate smile.
“Fuck that. I’m coming home with you,” said Niles.
She shook her head, laughing softly.
Decker touched Essence’s shoulder.
Essence turned her attention back to the phone. “Um, okay, well, looks like the cerberus is offering to come to the bar with bolt cutters as long as there’s no problem with that.” She twisted around. “Jeff? Can we have bolt cutters in the bar?”
“Uh, as far as I know?” said Jeff.
“Tell him—them—to bring the bolt cutters,” said Decker.
“I really hope you guys get those off,” said Niles.
“Yeah, it was nice meeting you,” said Dahlia.
The two left the bar, arm in arm.
Then it was quiet.
Decker pointed. “Let’s sit where they were sitting, with our backs to the wall.”
Essence shrugged. “Does it matter?”
“Yes, it’ll be better.”
“If it matters to you,” she said.
“It does.”
So, they rearranged themselves.
He sighed and stared at what was left of his beer, trying to decide if he wanted the cuffs off or not.
