Another fit of giggles.
“You really like him, don’t you? I’ve never seen you like this,” she said.
“Like what?”
“You risked work for him. You’re happy.”
I didn’t know why, but that comment hit me hard. Charlie was right. Despite all the difficulties and chaos that Gray had brought into my life, happiness engulfed every aspect of it. I’d lived in a dull sepia until he’d touch it, and everything burst into colour brighter than ever before.
“How about we head toMurphy’sand I can catch you up on the wedding planning?” Charlie suggested.
“Sounds great. You go ahead. I just need to do something.”
“Okay, but don’t be long. I have a lot that we need to catch up on.”
We both got up from our seats, and Charlie hugged me. I squeezed her, glad that things were okay between us again. Even after knowing each other for a year or so, Charlie had become a close friend and I should have confided in her in the first place.
“See you there.”
Charlie left the house, and I went upstairs.
I walked straight into my room and opened my bedside drawer where the box sat. Scooping it up carefully, I snapped it open to see the engagement ring Ethan gave me. It glittered in the room's light. I gave it a moment before snapping it shut again.
Carrying it back downstairs, I checked my phone for the time. It was seven-thirty. The nearest pawn shop closed at eight.
My feet pounded the pavement as I ran to the shop and as I opened the door, the bell rang to announce my entrance.
“Hello?” I called, taking in some deep breaths.
There was no one around and I assumed the owner must be out the back, so I made my way through the shop, fingers trailing across some things stocked on the shelves.
“Where have you been, angel?”
I jumped out of my skin and whirled around to find Archer leaning against a set of shelves and watching my movements.
“How did you know I was here?” I asked, clutching my chest.
He arched an eyebrow and laughed. “Are you forgetting I’m a God? If I want to find you, I will.”
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment and fear prepared me to bolt from the shop. There was something menacing about the way he’d delivered that last sentence.
Archer made his way towards me, and I backed away slowly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cuff, placing it around his wrist.
“I’m playing by the rules,” he said. He stepped towards me again and I stood firm. “I didn’t want to bother you while you were with family. How are they?”
“They’re fine.”
The owner appeared and I left Archer to hand in the ring. Once I was done, I turned to find him waiting patiently.
“Perhaps we can get a bite to eat together.”
“Actually, I was planning to go toMurphy’s,” I told him.
“Perfect. I can buy you a drink.”
It didn’t look like I was going to shake him tonight. “Sure.”
We walked to the pub and when we got inside, I saw how busy it was. Most of the tables were taken up with people, so it looked like we’d be at the bar.
