“Would you rather have a whiskey?” He started to slide toward the outer edge of the booth “I can get you one.”
I tapped my foot against his, halting his departure. “No. I don’t think I would.”
Penny ran his fingertip around the rim of his glass and dropped his eyes. I couldn’t tell whether he was nervous or uncomfortable, but after a few moments of quiet, he dredged up whatever courage he’d been looking for in the bottom of his ale.
“You don’t drink as much as you used to.” He jerked his eyes up to mine and hurried to add, “I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t have brought it up. I know you didn’t like it when Violette made that comment at dinner, but… I’ve noticed.”
I found myself once again wishing we’d had dinner at home and not in the tavern. My fingers itched to slide between his, and the table between us created far too much distance for this talk. Our only blessing was the racket the revelers at the bar were making, which granted us at least a modicum of conversational privacy.
Until now, I’d relied on whiskey to put me out for years. It did nothing to blot out the memories and nightmares that plagued my sleep, but it dulled them enough that they didn’t persist into my waking hours. It took the sharp edges off loneliness and solitude and made them into almost pleasant things.
But I wasn’t lonely anymore, and the world didn’t seem quite so dark all the time.
“I don’t feel the need to drink as much with you around.” I pressed my knee against Penny’s beneath the table. “You have a way of settling me better than whiskey ever did. You quiet me.”
His hair tumbled across his brow, curtaining his eyes as they sparkled with the hint of tears. I was still getting used to how open he was with his emotions. His anger and sorrow were often on display, but so was his happiness.That was what I saw now, a flicker of joy as he scrubbed the heel of his hand over his eyes to wipe away the moisture pooling there.
“I do?”
I nodded. “Vi was right: it’s the one thing I picked up from my father. It’s something I’m happy to put behind me. Thanks to you.”
Penny’s smile was wobbly but sincere. He sniffled again. “You quiet me, too, you know.”
I didn’t get a chance to respond before a shadow fell over us. Expecting Anders and suppressing a groan, I looked over to find Reimond stopped beside our table instead.
“You escaped,” I said, and he sighed.
“Finally. I thought he’d have me trapped all night, though I don’t doubt he’ll try to pin me down again if I’m not careful.” He flashed an apologetic smile at both Penny and I. “I know you’re here together, and I’m sure you want some time to yourselves, but would you mind if I sat with you for a bit? Thoma should be here soon, but I’ve had more than enough Anders for the last month, and I need a bit of sanity before he gets here.”
I had known it was only a matter of time until we were interrupted, but at least Reimond’s company was more welcome than Tessa’s.
“Always happy to come to your rescue.” I scooted in to make room for him on the bench beside me, then patted the open space. “Sit.”
Penny pushed a flagon of ale toward Reimond, who took it and gulped half of it in one breath.
He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and smiled sheepishly. “Thank you. I was glad to hear the two of you made it back safely.”
“Same for you,” I replied. “Run into any trouble on the road?”
Reimond sighed and tipped his head against the backrest. “Other than Anders and his big mouth nearly getting us caught in Oakwell, no. I do have to hand it to him, he didactuallyhave a place, and we got in and out easier than I thought.” He chuckled. “Though not as easily as you two, from what I heard.”
Penny took up his own ale and brought it to his mouth. “I wouldn’t go that far,” he mumbled before taking a healthy swig.
Reimond quirked a brow. “What do you mean?”
“Pen got sick on the road and gave us both quite a scare.” I stretched my foot closer to Penny, brushing it against his shin and teasing out a smile. “But he’s fine now. And as far as retrieving the body, it was only as difficult as digging up the frozen ground.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Reimond told Penny.
Across the room, the door opened, and Thoma stepped inside. Reimond’s exhausted demeanor changed immediately.
“Ah, excuse me. I need to go kiss that man right this moment.” He pushed out of his seat then spared us a sidelong grin. “I’m sure you understand.”
Penny’s eyes met mine across the table. I most certainlydidunderstand. Since the moment I’d set foot in the tavern and seen him, all I could think about was getting him home and kissing him until my lips were bruised.
Penny swallowed hard and set his ale down. “We have food at home,” he said in a quiet voice.
I slid out of the booth with a smile. “I’ll cook.”
