I kept glancing at the time, counting down the minutes until I could go home. At a quarter to one, I noticed Ron, Mani and Yavi clustering together at the end of the bar while I put an order through on the register. Once I was done and the customer had wandered away, Ron gestured me over.
“Beryl, come try some!” he called.
I dragged my feet over, noticing the big glass bottle in front of them on the bar, filled with a deep green liquid and organically shaped to look like a wobbly teardrop.
“Try what?” I asked apprehensively.
“My parents just got back from a vacation in Lithuania,” Ron told me with a grin. “Decent demiurgus population in Vilnius. They brought me back a bottle of sliekas, the traditional demiurgus drink there. It’s really good.”
“Hold up, Ron, we don’t know if Beryl drinks booze.” Mani glanced over her shoulder at me as she collected several shot glasses from the back bar. “It’s a strong spirit.”
“Um…” I shifted, not sure why they wanted me to try it. “I don’t not drink alcohol. I just… haven’t really drunk much.”
Greid and I had shared a bottle of champagne after I got my job, and that had been fun because I’d felt safe with him. I’d never tried spirits though, and I didn’t know if demiurgus-made alcohol was stronger. Or even safe for humans.
As if he’d read my mind, Yavi nudged my arm and said, “It’s safe for humans, but not many like it.”
Ron chuckled, lining up the glasses and expertly pouring the dark green liquid into each with practised movements. “I think Beryl will like it. She’s open-minded. Right, pipsqueak?” He grinned at me.
I huffed, but my mouth twitched at the nickname he’d given me not long after I started working there. “I’m not short, you’re just a giant.”
“Yes, he is.” Mani leaned over to kiss the side of Ron’s neck.
The big, beefy demiurgus’s ears fluttered as he let out a sheepish chuckle. “Alright, alright. Hey, Gavin,” he added amicably when the other human ducked back behind the bar, having been collecting glasses from tables. “Come have a shot with us.”
“What is it?” he asked with interest as he dumped the tray and made his way over. “Oh shit, sliekas? I’ll pass. My buddy got me a shot of that once for my birthday. It tastes like dirt.”
Mani rolled her eyes in exasperation. “That’s right, Gavin has discerning tastes. Only lite beer in a can for him.”
Everyone else chuckled—including Gavin, not seeming to take offence to the teasing. It cooled my ire just a little, because I didn’t think Gavin had purposefully been mean earlier. He just didn’t seem to think much before opening his mouth.
“I’ll try it,” I said, not sure if it was because I really wanted to or if a small, ugly part of me just wanted to one-up Gavin—to be the human all the demiurgus we worked with preferred and thought was more open-minded. I didn’t particularly like the idea of feeling that way, like I was competing with him, but after the mood Gavin had put me in all evening with his insensitive words, it probably had something to do with it.
“Awesome.” Ron grinned wide and slid a shot toward me.
I eyed the dark green liquid with a hint of apprehension, but gamely lifted it to my mouth and waited for Mani to count down before we all tipped the shots back. The overpowering taste of what I suspected was just alcohol hit me first, but then it mellowed, allowing me to pick up hints of whatever it was actually made with. Still, I could feel my eyes watering, and I did my best not to pull a face.
Yavi was wincing as he shook his head with a shudder, then he nudged me again. “What did you think?”
“I think I like it.” I licked my lips. “It doesn’t taste like dirt. It tastes kind of like grass. Like… fresh.”
“You’ve got good taste, Beryl.” Ron gave me a friendly pat on the back, then reached for the bottle again. “Another?”
“Oh, no, I think one’s enough for me.” I chuckled and glanced toward the windows, trying to find Greid waiting for me.
Gavin laughed as he passed me, making his way back to the tray of dirty glasses. “You’re a good sport, Beryl.”
“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.