Page 105 of How Not to Date an Angel

Julian grabbed his drink and waited for Rami to do the same before leading them toward the more crowded part of the bar, where everyone was seated at low tables in front of the event stage.

Figuring Rami wouldn’t want to be front and center, Julian stopped at a high-top table off to the side and arched a brow.

“Perfect,” Rami said, and slid onto their seat.

Julian pushed his chair up right beside them. He didn’t even bother trying to excuse it by saying he wanted to be able to see the stage better.

They both knew it was because Julian wanted to be close to the angel.

And here, in this bar, the angel didn’t shy away from him; instead, they took his hand and squeezed it.

“I haven’t felt this much joy from a group of people in a long time,” Rami said.

“I take it you don’t come to these often?” Julian asked. It was a shame that Rami had all this time on Earth and yet had never experienced so many things. Whereas Julianwantedto be here, to see and do it all, and yet couldn’t.

The irony was not lost on him.

“These places are usually all about community. It’s… not easy to linger in the corner, separate from such open, welcoming people.”

Julian could see that.

Especially as someone in a bright pink cowgirl outfit approached their table.

“Howdy, y’all. Been here before?” she asked. Her pronoun tag was situated right next to a trans pin.

“First time,” Rami answered, smiling.

“Well, I was practically dared to come introduce myself to the new cute couple, so here I am! Don’t be shy—you can come sit with us, if you’d like. I’m Jesse,” she said, and held out a manicured hand.

Rami took it with a grin, and introduced them.

Julian didn’t bother correcting her on their relationship status. Neither did Rami, Julian noted with a patter of his heart.

Rami turned to him, the question in their expression, and Julian shrugged.

“Might as well get the full experience,” he said, and grabbed both their drinks.

“That’s the spirit,” Jesse encouraged, and then led them to a small round table housing a group.

“Hell yeah, you got them!” one of them cheered, and scooted their chair over.

Jesse unapologetically stole two chairs from another table and shoved them toward Rami and Julian.

Rami grabbed the chairs before pushing them into place and motioning for Julian to take a seat.

“So chivalrous,” Julian murmured in their ear, just to see them blush.

“God, you’re both so cute together,” someone at the table said. “I can’t believe we haven’t seen you around before. Are you new to the area?”

“I am,” Julian said, and raised his hand.

“But I’ve been here a while. This is just my first time venturing out, I suppose,” Rami offered.

Julian was pleased to see Rami actually talking to other people. Surprisingly being open.

Beneath the table, he squeezed their thigh, and they glanced over at them with a grin.

Their cheeks were flushed, either from the already almost empty glass of their cocktail, or the attention, or the atmosphere itself.

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