Yuka raised her glass to the light, admiring the golden sparkle of the fluid. “We really are masters of our craft.”
Blair chuckled and wrapped an arm around her. “You certainly are, honey.”
Yuka leaned against him and smiled at Val, who sat beside them. “Thanks for this. You were right; we really needed a change of scenery. I’ll bet that babysitting us is the last thing you want to do with your Sunday evening.”
“Not at all. I like your company.” Val drained her soda. “Another Coke, please.”
Tetra stomped over, grabbed her glass, and stomped away.
Val chose her words carefully. “You’d do well to lose the attitude.”
Tetra snorted.
Enzo sidled to the bar. “Don’t look at her like that. She’s doing fine.”
“She can’t serve customers in our bar like that,” Val grumbled.
“She doesn’t.” Enzo chuckled. “She only serves you like that.”
“Great to hear. Thanks,” Val muttered.
The orc laughed and patted her arm. “She’s doing fine, Val. Still complains about how menial the work is, but not in front of the customers. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, too.”
“Okay.” Val sighed. “That’s one bit of good news.”
“Heyyyy, girl.” Isabella waltzed across the floor and wrapped Val in a jasmine-scented hug.
Val stiffened. “What was that for?”
“To be nice. Friends do that sometimes.” Isabella took the seat beside hers. “Hey, Blair, Yuka. You guys okay after that whole thing outside the bar the other night?”
“All good.” Yuka smiled faintly.
“Wow, that mark on your face healed really fast.” Isabella touched her own hairline.
Jess and Liam piled into the seats next to Isabella’s.
“Jess told me what happened with the stray dog.” Isabella’s mouth turned down at the corners. “I’m sorry. That must have been really traumatic.”
“Thanks.” Val shrugged. “I hope it ends well for him, that’s all.”
Jess looked away. She ordered a double brandy instead of her usual cocktail.
“How are things working out with Tetra?” Liam asked, his eyes not leaving the faerie as she walked to the back.
“As well as can be expected, I guess,” Val muttered.
“Aw, Val, cheer up.” Isabella patted her back. “Tetra, bring her a beer.”
“No, thanks.” Val raised a hand. “I’m on duty.”
“Obviously.” Isabella grimaced. “Sorry. How’s that going?”
“Quietly,” Blair told her, relief thick in his tone. “We haven’t had any trouble yet.”
“That’s good news.” Isabella smiled.
Liam laughed. “I bet you’re spoiling for a fight, Val. You always complain when your bodyguarding jobs are quiet.”
Val’s cheeks warmed. “I don’t complain. Well, maybe a little.”
Blair laughed. “I don’t blame you, but I’ll be pleased if you stay bored.”
“Don’t worry. I found other ways to keep myself entertained.” Val accepted another soda from the glowering Tetra.
Jess raised her eyebrows. “Like obsessing over a stray dog?”
“Not only that. I got into a scuffle at a nightclub at the edge of Bed-Stuy.” Val rubbed the back of her neck. “I might have ended up handcuffed in a cop car.”
Isabella snorted into her drink. “You got arrested?”
“No, no. Not in the end. The six guys whose asses I handed to them didn’t press charges.” Val grinned. “They started it.”
Laughter rippled through the group. Yuka shook her head. “It’s good to be reminded that our bodyguard is a badass.”
“The cop who cuffed me said something interesting.” Val turned her glass on the bar, ice rattling. “He mentioned a cage match, and I Googled it. It seems cool.”
“Cage fighting? It’s also known as MMA, or mixed martial arts.” Liam’s eyes gleamed. “It’s a full-contact sport using combat techniques from all over the world. Whatever works, basically.”
