Berries and Greed

Leaning back, she let out a delicate laugh and took a sip of wine. “Not as such. But the sparks of passion never fully left us, even when we went in different directions in life.” Her eyes softened, growing a little sad. “She and I were always meant to be, but not at the same time. Too many obstacles in our way.”

God, she even spoke all fancy and refined and poetic. And what she’d said was so sad. “How come?” I asked before I could stop myself.

Parin looked down at her glass. “I made decisions when we were younger that I… I don’t let myself regret them, because they led me to where I am now. But I picked my career over her.” Exhaling, she straightened her shoulders and shot me a tiny smile. “Anyway, enough of that. Thank you for the wine, dear.”

“Of course.” I nibbled on my lower lip. “I’m sorry about… for your relationship not working out.”

“Oh, don’t be.” She waved a dismissive hand. “We still snatch our moments when we can. Anyway.” She set down her glass and leaned her elbows on the bar, an intrigued glint in her eyes. “How about you? Any old flames knocking around here?”

I flushed, picking up a cloth to wipe down the bar even though it was spotless. “Oh, not—um, no old ones. But… a new one.”

Her expression perked up. “Oh yes?”

“Yeah.” I chuckled nervously. “The, um, the guy I mentioned earlier…”

“Oh, so not just a friend, eh?” She shot me a sly smile and had another sip of wine. “Did you bond over your shared love of low-budget sitcoms?”

I burst out laughing. “He introduced me to them, actually. He’s…” Trying not to let my expression grow too dreamy, I said, “He’s really fun. And so sweet.”

“Look at you.” Parin grinned at me, revealing gleaming white sharp teeth. “Flushed with young love.”

I chuckled, belly clenching at the word love. “I’m not all that young. I’m thirty-five.”

Parin rolled her eyes. “Darling, that’s young. Life doesn’t truly get good until you’re in your thirties and you stop giving a shit what people think of you. You’ve got the best years of your life ahead of you.”

My mouth curved into a tiny smile. “Thanks.”

Her words made some restless part of me—the part that was always there, worrying about how much I might’ve missed out on and panicking that I’d never be able to catch up—quieten down and settle. She was right. I had plenty of time to experience everything I wanted to. Not that I was overly keen to go wild and experience everything. It wasn’t like I wanted to go bungee jumping or climb Mount Everest or anything.

I just wanted to carve out a life for myself that made me truly happy. And even though it hadn’t been all that long since I left the cult, it felt like I was already doing it.

And Greid was a huge part of it.

“God, I wish Greid was here so he could meet you,” I told Parin. “Although he’s kind of… He’s a little shy.”

“Greid’s your beau?” Her brows raised. “That sounds like a demiurgus name.”

“It is. He is.”

Her brows inched even higher. “Well I never.”

My cheeks burned yet again, and I had no idea what to say. Before I could think of any kind of half-normal response, Parin added, “Well, I’ll be here tomorrow evening around the same time to meet my old friend after my interview. I’d be happy to meet him if he wants.”

“Thank you so much. I’ll let him know.” Shifting nervously, I blurted, “Could I maybe get your autograph to surprise him tonight, though? Sorry for asking.”

She chuckled, reaching over to grab a napkin from the stack. “Of course. Find me a pen?”

There were always a couple tucked by the register, so I grabbed one and handed it over, bouncing excitedly on my toes at the thought of surprising Greid with this.

“What’s your name, dear?” Parin asked, the pen poised over the napkin.

“Oh. Beryl.” I spelled it out for her, as well as Greid, and couldn’t stop grinning as I watched her write a short message and sign her name with a flourish.

She folded the napkin in half and slid it across the bar with a wink. “Read it together.”

“Okay.” I carefully tucked it into my apron pocket. “Thank you so much. He’s going to love it.”

“My pleasure.” She grinned, sharp teeth gleaming in the bar’s low ambient lighting. “How about a photo as well? What do you kids call it, a selfie?”

I grinned back, excitement making my stomach jump. I was a voracious consumer of celebrity gossip, but I’d never realised how giddy I’d be actually meeting a celebrity. It was like she hadn’t been real, and now here she was, right in front of me. “Is that okay? Do you mind?”

“Of course not. I wouldn’t have suggested it if I minded.” Parin gestured at me. “Got your phone?”

I fumbled to pull it out of my apron pocket and hurriedly swiped to the front-facing camera.

Parin held out her hand for it. “I’ve got longer arms.”