Charlie was behind it helping Tyler, and she caught my eye and mouthed an apology. He really needed to sort out his staffing situation. The bar had steadily been doing better over the past few months, and he’d only have Gray until the project was over.
Archer placed a hand on the small of my back, and I jerked away from his touch. A curious expression clouded his face before he made his way over to the bar, where there were free stools.
It was like a magnet. My eyes found Gray’s in an instant and he narrowed his eyes before he made a beeline for us.
“What can I get you?” Gray’s words were tight, and I started to feel nervous.
“I’ll have a beer. Quentin?” Archer said.
“Vodka and coke.”
Gray worked on the drinks but kept glancing at us.
“It’s nice to finally get you on your own and not in your dreams.”
Archer raised a hand and brushed his fingers against my temple. I pulled away and swallowed, knowing Gray wasn’t best known for controlling his temper.
A pint of beer slammed down on the bar top, sloshing over the lip of the glass and spilling onto the surface.
“Problem, Grayson?” Archer asked, turning his head to look at Gray.
“Why would there be?”
“You seem to be interrupting my evening with this beautiful woman.”
“I didn’t realise you kept such questionable company, Scott,” Gray said through gritted teeth.
I narrowed my eyes, not appreciating the accusation in his voice. “I bumped into him on the way here.”
“We have a habit of bumping into each other, don’t we?” Archer said.
My mouth ran dry. Every time Gray had asked me if I’d seen Archer, I’d lied. I was still trying to work out all the cryptic messages that Archer relayed to me through my dreams, and I worried if I told Gray, he’d brush it all under the carpet.
Archer continued, “I’m just trying to convince her to actually let me take her out on a date.”
“I’m not allowed to date a God. It’s part of my contract,” I said automatically.
Archer turned his attention back to me. “I told you before, Gods tend to get what they want and if they want something badly enough, they’ll find a way.”
“You keep going and Hunter is going to kill you,” Gray hissed.
Archer leaned over the bar towards Gray. “It wouldn't be Hunter, though, would it? We both know he won’t get his hands dirty.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, catching the comment.
“It’s nothing,” Gray snapped, eyes still on Archer. “If you want to date her, go ahead. It’s your funeral,” he said nonchalantly.
My eyes went wide.
“Is that you giving me your blessing, Grayson?” Archer implored.
Gray opened his mouth again. But I beat him to it.
“I can’t date a God,” I repeated. “But if I could, I’d happily take you up on the offer.”
“Ah, ah, Grayson. Why so angry?” Archer asked, picking up on the change in the mood.
I looked at Gray, challenging him to say something. Anything. He’d just given up. Thrown me away without a second thought.
