Page 12 of Winning Back Persephone

I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realise you were seeing anyone."

"That's because you rarely leave the god realm," she pointed out. "And it was my sister who kept you up to date with the goings on of the other gods."

"There's nothing to keep up to date on," I pointed out. "Zeus will be pursuing someone he shouldn't, and the rest of you will be meddling in the affairs of mortals."

Amusement shone on her face. "Maybe you're right there." The bartender arrived and set her drink down. "And just for that, I'm going to meddle in your affairs."

"I don't see how you're going to do that," I responded.

"Turn around."

Without intending to, I followed her instructions. The whole world fell away as my gaze landed on Persephone wearing a sleek black dress with a flower pattern on it that only showed up when the light shimmered against her. Which it did a lot. It was almost as if it was attracted to her by her beauty.

She gave me a hesitant smile and walked up. It was strange to see her like this. She'd always been confident, even before the two of us had gotten together she'd known what she wanted and how she was going to get it. This was new.

"Hi," she said, setting her bag on the bar in a way that suggested it was a physical barrier between us.

"Hello," I responded.

"I didn't think you'd be here tonight."

"You're the second person to say that," I responded.

"Who was the first?"

"Aphrodite. I fear I might have offended her, she threatened to meddle in my life."

Persephone laughed, a beautiful sound that I wished to hear more of. "And what damage can she do to the life of the king of the underworld?"

"You know as well as I do that's not a real thing."

"Humans are going to be so disappointed when they get there and find out you're not there."

I chuckled. "Yes, but if I was there, then it would mean that I'd have missed out on a life with you."

She sucked in a deep breath, making me realise what I'd said.

"I'm sorry, forget I said anything."

"It's fine," she murmured, flagging the bartender to get her a drink. "Did you want some wine?"

I nodded. She ordered a couple of glasses, and I enjoyed the mundaneness of the moment. Not having to tell her what I wanted was the perk of having been with someone as long as we'd been together. Except that we no longer were, and it was important I remembered that, even at times like this.

She slid one of the wine glasses down the bar to me, letting go long before there was a chance that we could touch.

"So, another Jinx party," she said.

"Mmm. I was encouraged to come so that I could meet people," I said. "After our date."

She laughed. "That was more or less what Aine said to me, after I complained."

I raised an eyebrow. "Was our date that bad?"

"You know it wasn't," she said firmly. "But it can't happen again."

"No, it can't," I agreed.

She picked up her wine glass and took a drink. I didn't need her to say that she was doing it in order to avoid the conversation. I knew from the way she'd positioned herself.

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