Page 62 of Steve's Barmaid
There was some grumbling, but all the orkin returned to their tasks. We were almost ready for the soft furnishings andthe serving ware, but not quite. After ensuring everyone was working hard, I took it upon myself to sand and seal all the tables. Reykr joined me and we worked in silence for a long time before he finally said something.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, not looking up from sanding.
I continued sanding. Did I want to talk about it?
I sighed. “She doesn’t understand Elska mates. She’s worried about us getting tired of each other. She said you don’t go from ‘dating’ to being mates this quickly. I explained that it was normal here, but she said she still needed time. So I am giving it to her.” I didn’t stop working. It was easier to talk about without having to make eye contact.
“And how do you feel about that?” Still sanding.
“I want to give her time. I don’t want her to feel like she has to choose me. I am finishing this bar whether or not she does. But it has to be her choice. I don’t want anything with her if she doesn’t want it with me,” I said sadly, my gut twisting at the idea of finding my Elska mate only to have her snatched away. It felt almost cruel.
But I knew Billie. She wanted me, but she didn’t understand. And she was scarred by all the pathetic human men in her past who didn’t treat her like the treasure she was. I doubled my efforts on sanding, ensuring that the wood of every table was soft as silk under my fingers before sealing them. The day seemed to slip away. I paused to shove down a meat pie that Joey insisted I eat before I returned to work around midday. The sun was setting as I looked out at the lawn, admiring all the sanded and sealed tables.
Osif approached me. “Steve, I must let my orkin break for the last meal. They’ve worked hard all day. Some have families to return to.”
I waved my hand at the workers. “That’s fine.” I raised my voice so it would reach everyone could hear me. “Thank you all for your hard work today. I know if we keep at it we can finish tomorrow!”
Instead of cheers, I got grumbles, but all the orkin agreed they’d be back early the next day. Soon, it was just me, Joey, and Reykr. They both assessed me in silence.
Joey was the first to speak. “You’re going to stay working, aren’t you?”
“Yep. Bram delivered all the glassware, cutlery, and such today. I am going to clean it and put it all away.”
Joey sighed. “Then I’ll stay, too. I’ll wash, you dry?” She gave me a tired smile.
I almost hugged the tiny woman, but knowing her, she might kick me for even trying. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Reykr gave me a mock salute and headed out while Joey and I walked into the bar.
“I’m kind of surprised he didn’t stay,” I said as we entered the bar’s kitchen.
Joey rolled her eyes. “He’s going to get you food, you moron. I know you’ve forgotten you need food, but he hasn’t.”
I felt a blush creeping up my neck, embarrassed that I thought my best friend had left me in my time of need. “Right, right. That makes sense,” I muttered. “Let’s get to work.”
We washed and washed and washed. By the time Reykr returned, we had finished all the glasses. I’d dried them and lined them perfectly along the shelves behind the bar so Billie could easily access them. Reykr forced me to sit on the floor of the bar and eat. I devoured everything without tasting it and stood to keep working.
“No,” Reykr and Joey said in unison.
I opened my mouth to fight, but Reykr cut me off. “You’re no use to her dead. I will ensure we finish tomorrow, but you are dead on your feet. Bed.” He steered me toward our room.
He nodded at Joey as we headed out, and she gave him a small smile. I briefly felt bad for interrupting whatever plans they probably had with each other for the evening, but I was so tired the thought drifted out of my brain almost immediately. Reykr watched me hawkeyed as I changed out of my dirty clothes and climbed into bed. It felt heavenly. Reykr was still watching me as I sunk into a deep sleep, void of dreams.
BILLIE
It was still early when we arrived at Piper and Agnarr’s house, nestled among the trees at the edge of the village. I knocked and waited. And waited. Joey and I shifted uncomfortably in the silence.
“It’s too early for them to be at breakfast,” Joey said. “Knock louder. Maybe they are still upstairs getting dressed.”
I knocked again, this time with much more force. Another few minutes passed and then the door opened. We were greeted by a shirtless Agnarr, pants barely laced.
“Uhh, sorry if we woke you,” I said awkwardly, “It’s kind of an emergency.”
“You didn’t wake us,” he said. “We were just…busy.”
Jesus Christ, is everyone having sex today?
He led us into the dining room. “What kind of emergency is it? Was someone injured at the bar? It is early for you to be working.” Agnarr looked concerned.
