“I think that would be appropriate,” Gray said, squeezing back against him. He lifted his beer bottle and said, “To Quentin.”
“To eternity,” Malachi added.
“Yes, baby!” Flynn called as we knocked our glasses together. “Means you can enjoy your birthday party.”
“Flynn!” Waverly hissed.
He slapped a hand over his mouth and ran it down, revealing a sheepish grin. “Oops.”
“What birthday party?” Gray demanded. When no one answered, he slammed his bottle on the table. “What birthday party?”
I should have scolded him for being so aggressive, but my body didn’t feel like it was my own. I felt like I was floating. The last time I’d been this relieved was after my viva when they told me I’d passed my PhD.
Malachi sighed. “Erik is planning to throw her a party. It was meant to be a surprise.”
“He thought it would be something to enjoy and give everyone the chance to spend time with her,” Waverly explained.
“Who would have thought our teeny tiny demi was going to cause so much chaos?” Flynn asked, but then he let out a bark of laughter and pointed his bottle towards Gray. “You did, right?”
“I’m going to kill him,” Gray gritted out through his teeth. He looked down at me. “Are you okay with this? I can put a stop to it.”
“Whatever Erik wants,” I replied. “I don’t care.”
“Quen, he won’t be subtle.”
“I really don’t mind.”
“You’re delirious.”
The evening sunk into conversation and drinks. To think I was going to miss out on all of this, to sit in the lab and stare at my samples for a few more hours.
Alcohol heated me from the inside until my laughter spilled without hesitation and my limbs were loose at the thought of impending freedom. When Gray tried to persuade me to eat, I pushed him away and opted to frequent the bar with Flynn instead. Drinking amplified the feel-good attitude that had awoken deep in my belly since they delivered the news of changing their vote.
“All right, darling,” Gray said, hoisting me into his arms. “I think it’s time we go home.”
“Boo!” Flynn called before laughing.
“You can stay away from her from now on. Look at the state she’s in.”
“We need to build up her tolerance.”
“I’ll help her with that.”
I dropped my head against the side of Gray’s face so hard that there was a dull ache in my forehead.
“Quentin, be careful,” he scolded, shifting me in his arms.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled. “You’re always looking after me.”
“It’s an honour to do so,” he muttered in response. “Say goodbye to everyone.”
“Bye!” I twiddled my fingers at the rest of the booth. “I really, really love you all.”
Waverly giggled in her corner and shook her head as Gray strode out of the bar. I continued to wave at anyone who looked in our direction and blew the bartender a kiss. That marvellous man had served some of the best drinks I’d tasted. Maybe that was the alcohol talking. I laughed to myself and Gray sighed as we stepped out onto the streets.
“Are you going to carry me the entire way home?” I slurred, clinging to him.
“No, I’m going to take the shortcut.”
