“From what I understand, he’s a good man. He’s a sinner, like all the others, but he is right with the heavenly father and keeps his faith in good standing. I like him already.”
I should’ve known the angel would go straight for the faith aspect. It’s true, though. Beau is a good man who believes in God and keeps his faith prominent in his life. It’s hard though, considering he runs a bar, but still, he helps his community and is there for others who have been through the things he has.
“I will stop getting ahead of myself,” he laughs. “I would like to meet him.”
“Good. We can grab a bite to eat too. Beau’s sister, Elena, is the cook. She makes a great cheeseburger special.”
“You eat cow?”
“Yes, I do.” I should’ve known that was coming. Mila was the same way. Angels don’t normally eat so the idea of consuming meat or processed foods is hard for them to understand. I was able to convince Mila to eat cake once. By the time she got her fill, we’d went through an entire bakery. If she’d been human, she would’ve been in a sugar coma.
“I don’t know if I want to eat an animal.”
“Trust me. If you’re going to spend time here on Earth, you need to adapt and be more like the humans. They eat. They drink. It’s part of life here.”
“You’re an alcoholic.”
I can’t help but laugh. “If I could get drunk, I would agree with you. Since the booze does nothing in the way of intoxicating me, I don’t consider it an alcoholic. I enjoy the taste of fine bourbon. That’s all,” I explain to him. The worried look on his face tells me he’s suddenly concerned with his faith coming into question. “Just follow my lead. The booze won’t bother you. You won’t fall from grace. I promise.”
“But what about the cow?”
“What do you mean?”
“It was slaughtered for meat.”
“It’s been a long time since you’ve been on Earth. I get that, but people eat cow. They eat pig. Honestly, they eat just about anything. If you can’t handle that, you may need to tell them all you’re vegan.”
“I don’t want to stand out.”
“Then eat the cow. Just pray afterward.”
“Fair enough.”
I offer him one last side glance before grabbing the door and swinging it open. The music is already playing. It’s not too loud or too soft. To my ears, it’s just right. It’s a country tune, Beau’s favorite genre. Hank Williams Jr. is talking about his rowdy friends while the smell of freshly cooked burgers wafts through the air meeting my nose and making my mouth water.
“You don’t require sustenance, do you?”
I lean his way slightly so no one in the bar hears our conversation. “No, but I have come to like the taste. Just like my bourbon. I eat when I’m in public. When I’m at home, with the twins, I don’t bother.”
I know the angel isn’t just watching me to learn more about me as a being from the pit. He is learning how to mingle with humans by my actions. If he alerts anyone to his true nature, the heavens will snatch him up quickly to avoid any types of issues.
“Well, well, if it isn’t my Nala.”
The sound of Beau’s voice is smooth and intoxicating. I love to hear him speak. His soft southern drawl is thick as honey and just as sweet. The low, deep tone awakens parts of me I’ve allowed to lie dormant for many years. More times than I care to admit, I’ve spent evenings wondering what it would be like to have him whisper in my ear as we make love.
I look up to see his chocolate eyes staring at me, a crooked smile on his lips. His beard his slightly scruffier than it was yesterday when I stopped by. A shade of grey mingling in ever so slightly. His dark hair is, as always, in his preferred crew cut. From my understanding, he hasn’t grown it out since his time in the service. The scar running down his cheek is a constant reminder to him and anyone who knows him, of what he went through. He wears it proudly, which makes him even more perfect in my eyes.
I open my mouth to greet him when his eyes flash to Sebastian. Instantly, I see a shift in his demeanor. His broad shoulders stiffen as if he’s preparing to take on a predator. The normal glint in his eyes changes and I see a flash of rage I haven’t seen before. Could it be that Beau, the epic gentleman who refuses to tie me down with a man older than me, is jealous? I certainly hope so.
“Who’s your friend?”
The honey dripping tone is gone. In it’s place is a bit of sarcasm dripping with annoyance. I absolutely love it. Unfortunately, my companion is also catching on to the strangeness.
“I’m her cousin, Sebastian. It’s nice to meet you.”
Beau cuts his eyes at me as his crooked smile returns. I smirk, letting him know I caught on to his anger. He needs to know. It’s only fair. If he refuses to be with me because he thinks I’m such a child, he should worry from time to time about what other aspects may come my way.
“Nice to meet you, man. My name’s Beau. What can I get you?”
“I’ll have whatever Anala is having.”
Beau leans down on the bar and eyes me. He doesn’t try to hide the way he’s looking me up and down. Instead, he makes it fully noticeable to everyone in the bar. I feel like a prize being claimed. “What are you in the mood for, Nala?”
“The usual,” I tell him as I take my seat directly in front of him. “You always know what I want, Beau.”
“Woman.” With a shake of his head he turns and calls out our food order to Elena. When he turns back our way, he has a bottle and two glasses in his hand. In a flash of speed and perfection, our drinks are poured, and he slides them toward us. “You didn’t mention you had family coming to visit.”
I giggle slightly. The only time I ever do the foolish human action is when I’m around Beau. It makes me sound like the kid he thinks I am.
“You’re being cruel, Nala. You should know better. If you ever do find yourself a man, do me a favor and don’t bring him here.”
“I’ve found a man, Beau. He’s just stubborn and set in his ways. I’m thinking eventually, he’ll come around.”
“Some guys are just like that. Assholes until the end.”
“Amen.”
“Amen,” Sebastian chimes in the glances back and forth between Beau and me. “Sorry, it’s an automatic reaction.”
“My cousin here is very religious,” I add quickly to help smooth the situation.
“If you’re still in town this Sunday, you should come by and visit my church then,” Beau offers as his smile quickly returns. “Our doors are always open, and we love having visitors.”
Sebastian’s head quickly whips in my direction. “I would love to attend an actual service, Anala. Shall we go?”
Knowing I’m outnumbered, I simply nod my head in agreement. I don’t know how long the angel was considering gracing me with his presence, but now I know I’ll be dealing with him until at least the end of the week. I suppose now I’ll be left giving him room and board until he decides to fly his way back to Heaven.
“I can’t wait to see you decked out in your Sunday best,” Beau tells me as he refills my already killed shot of bourbon. “Wear your hair up. It’ll look cute.”