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“She is,” Mani agreed, and I couldn’t help but grin as I watched Ron pour another round for the three of them. After downing her second shot, Mani nodded toward the front of the bar. “You can take off, Beryl. Your guy’s waiting for you.”
I immediately twisted my head back around, scanning the dark street outside until I saw Greid standing a little ways from the door, dressed in jeans and a long coat. His hair was tied back in a messy bun, and he was looking down at his phone, its artificial glow picking out the sharp planes of his handsome face.
My gut bottomed out. My mood immediately lifted. I remembered the surprise I had for him, and another grin spread over my face as I stared at him.
“Oh shit, Beryl does have good taste,” I heard Yavi say. “You’re with him? Damn.”
“I know, right?” Mani grinned at me. “But she still hasn’t brought him in for us to meet him.”
My cheeks grew warm as I laughed. “He’s just kind of shy. But yeah, he’s… he’s the best. And so hot,” I added, unable to stop myself, a hint of pride making my chest inflate.
“You should both come for dinner one night,” Ron said with enthusiasm. “I can make my mom’s porin. Although, all demiurgus moms have their own way of making it, so we tend to have big feels over eating someone else’s version.”
“Ron, don’t put Beryl on the spot like that.” Mani gave his huge shoulder a gentle push. “She just told us her man is shy. The offer’s there if you ever do want to,” she added to me with a smile. “But no pressure.”
My cheeks flushed with pleasure. “That sounds nice. Thank you. I’ll ask him.”
“Go on, pipsqueak, get going.” Ron shooed me away.
“Thanks for all your hard work this week, Beryl,” Mani added. “We couldn’t have done it without you. I haven’t scheduled you in for any weekend shifts, so you get some time off after tomorrow.”
“Oh, wow. Thanks.” I hovered for a few seconds. “Okay, well, see you tomorrow.”
“See you, Beryl.”
I was in a much better mood as I made my way to the back office, even managing to give Gavin a smile and a wave as I passed him. He waved cheerfully back, still blissfully unaware of how much his flippant words had affected me all evening. I supposed some people were just like that.
After reaching the quiet of the back office, I untied my apron and carefully transferred the signed napkin and my phone to my coat pocket before slipping it on. When I stepped outside onto the chilly dark street, Greid’s head popped up from his phone. His eyes brightened, mouth curving into a big smile that showed me all his sharp teeth.
“Hey.” He raised his arm to show me the plastic bag looped over his wrist. “I did a snack run on the way here in case you’re hungry after your shift.”
Pure, unbridled happiness filled my chest. Filled every part of me. When I reached him, I rose on my tiptoes and cupped his face as he bent down to kiss me. His sweet, smoky scent filled my nose, and the feel of his arm slipping under my coat to wrap around my waist and pull me closer made me shiver.
I couldn’t stop myself from kissing him a second time before pulling back, all the worries and insecurities that had plagued me all evening melting away. I didn’t care what anyone thought. I wanted Greid.
And when he pulled open the side of his coat so I could slip underneath and snuggle into him as we started walking home, everyone else and all their opinions became completely, utterly meaningless.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Beryl
“I have a surprise for you,” I told Greid as soon as we got home.
He glanced up at me as he tugged off his boots, hopping in place. “You do?”
Nodding with a wide grin, I pulled my phone out of my coat pocket and brought up my photos. There were hardly any in my camera roll—mostly just the silly selfies Greid sent me while he was working or still in bed waiting for me to get back from Deep Brew with his morning coffee, seeing as I saved all of them. I made a mental note to try and take more pictures, but for now, I pulled up one of the photos Parin had snapped of both of us.
Greid took the phone from me when I handed it over, peering down at the screen. His head cocked. “Who’s—Wait.” Wide yellow eyes darted up to mine then back down. “Holy fuck, is that Parin var Gelligar?”
I chuckled, shedding my coat after taking the napkin out of my pocket. “Yeah. She was in the bar having a drink. She’s in town to promote the new season.”
“Oh my god.” Greid was clutching the phone. “You met Parin var Gelligar. You met Jurik Aktonar,” he added, referring to her character on the show. “What was she like? Was she amazing? Did she do the thing like on the show? You know, the disapproving eyebrow raise when the Smiths say something stupid about demiurgus?”
I laughed as I pulled off my boots. “Yeah, she did. Well, kinda. When she clocked that I recognised her.”
“Oh my god. I can’t believe you met her. Man, she’s still so hot even though she’s older than my mom.” Greid reluctantly handed my phone over when I straightened up. “You have to send me that photo.”
“Sure.” I took the phone and held out the napkin. “And there’s this.”
