Closing Time

45.

"Good evening, Ryleigh. Nice night out."

"Lou?" I looked up from the sink, immediately recognising that voice. My gut sank immediately as I met his dark eyes, but the smile on my face came easier than I thought. "It's been a while. Where have you been?"

"Oh, you know. Work." He shrugged, taking a seat at his usual place. "Certain balances shifted around the world once that weapon was found. It takes a lot of maintaining." He paused as I filled up a tumbler with his usual drink. "So, I've heard you've been out frolicking with demons."

I grimaced as he said that, eyes going to the three human customers still in my bar. "Keep your voice down. And it's one dude. I owed him for reaching out to you a while back."

"Right, that guy." He reached for the drink I put down, pressing it against his lips and taking a slow first sip. He closed his eyes, exhaling softly and setting the glass back down. "I swear this just seems to taste different at your place."

I smiled as he said that, feeling some of the knots in my gut get heavier. "Maybe it's the poison I've added."

"Nice try. It wouldn't affect me."

"I figured as much." I pointed at him, smirking. "It's just your roundabout way of saying that you missed me, Lou."

"I don't need a roundabout way to tell you I missed you when you already know I missed you." I glanced at him sideways. He placed his tumbler back down, pursing his lips and making kissing noises.

Shaking my head, I laughed softly as I wiped my hands on my apron. "I never said I missed you." The stress had been lesser when he wasn't here.

"But I know you did." He was still smiling. Still blowing kisses at me.

I rolled my eyes, walking over to him. He stopped smooching the air as I grabbed his jaw. Lou's eyes widened excitedly as I pulled him towards me. "That's better." I spoke up after holding him there for a moment. I smiled, releasing him and patting his cheek before turning away again. "Nice to see you. You happy?"

"Hmm... I'll settle. You free tonight?"

"My answer doesn't matter, does it?"

"Most probably not." The bell above the door dinged as Old Mike walked back in. "Like I said, their kind doesn't have manners."

"Oh, hey. Old Mike is back." I looked him over. Same blonde hair, same biceps I'd felt up a few times. Same blue eyes as every other angel. Familiarity.

"Old Mike?" Old Mike asked as he sat down.

"Yeah." I waved a hand dismissively, getting started on his drink. "I prefer this look."

"Ooh, so you're into blondes, Ryleigh?" Lou teased, looking Old Mike over. "I can change bodies for a night. Hey, feathers. Lend it to me."

"No." Old Mi- I mean, Mike replied bluntly. "This is an angelic v-"

"Hey!" I cut him off, slamming his drink in front of him. Some tequila sloshed onto my hand. "It's not your time!" I hissed, eyes meaningfully shifting to the human customer's sitting in the booths.

Both Lou and Mike's faces fell flat with surprise, staring blankly at my sudden outburst. I held their gazes for a few moments before turning away. "Sorry." I mumbled under my breath.

"Something on your mind, Ryleigh?" Lou asked first, not wasting a moment. "You seem kind of... tense."

"It's nothing." I rubbed the back of my neck. "Just feeling..." The pressure of hatching a plan and double-crossing someone I trusted? "Exhausted." Can't say it. "Tired of the monotony. I want to take a vacation."