are smack in the middle of the busiest club in Austin. Even if Dean had less than honest intentions, he wouldn’t try something around this many witnesses. Now move, love.”
Emrick growled at me unhappily then turned to Dean. “Just a hug and then she gets back upstairs. If you want to see her again, you talk to Archer first.”
I wanted to argue with him, but it was pointless. I’d take it up with Archer later. I wasn’t going to let anyone dictate who I could and could not see, even now that I was no longer human and a member of Archer’s family. I had always been my own person and always would be.
Dean looked like he wanted to say something to Emrick too, but I caught his gaze and shook my head. He silenced whatever he was about to say and I stepped down and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Thank you for trying,” I whispered as I hugged him tightly to me.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and rubbed up and down my back. “Thank you for not taking no for an answer, toots. This isn’t going to be easy for us, but I promise I’ll try.” Dean turned his head into my neck and growled softly. “You smell like a fucking vampire.”
I pulled back with a chuckle and lightly swatted his arm. “Hey! Don’t hate. I smell awesome and you know it. I’m wearing the new fragrance by D & G.”
He winked at me and then pursed his lips a bit. “This is kind of weird now; you know, with you being a vampire and all.”
I sighed and grabbed his hand. “It’s only weird if you allow it to be, honey. Look past the color of my eyes and see the person I am. Nothing has really changed.”
He sighed too and tried to look like the weight of the world hadn’t just fallen on his shoulders. “So, I guess skydiving is out this weekend?”
I frowned and nodded my head. “Unfortunately. Rain check?”
“Sounds good, babe,” he said, patting my hand with his free one. He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. I could see how hard my new condition was going to be for him. “I’ll let you get back to work I guess. I’m in desperate need of a beer now. I’m going to go to the bar and drown my sorrows over the girl who got away.”
“Dean,” I whispered, my brow crinkling with sympathy and sadness. I knew he liked me but I didn’t know he liked me that way. “Don’t say that; I’m still here as your friend. And just FYI, you should know I’m a pretty shitty girlfriend. Consider yourself lucky you were able to dodge that bullet. Trust m-”
“You’re totally fucking clueless, you know that?” Dean asked, cutting me off as he stared at me hard, confusion painting his face. “Why is it you can’t see how amazing you are, Skye? I’ve never met anyone more willing to see the bad in theirself than the good.”
I bit my bottom lip and looked down at my hands. What could I say to him to make him understand? I had gotten my stalker ex killed and decapitated and I had ripped out and stomped on poor Jameson’s heart. I was like a Pandora’s Box; open me up and prepare for destruction. “There’s more to me than meets the eye, that’s all I’m trying to say.”
“I know there is,” Dean smiled and then winked at me. “Why do you think I put up with you? Call me Saturday morning and I’ll come pick you up on the way out to the jump site.”
I agreed and gave him one last hug before watching him turn and cut his way through the crowd toward the bar.
“Archer’s going to love that,” Quinn chuckled, drawing my attention to him.
“Love what?”
“He’s going to love that you’re still friends with Dean,” Quinn smirked sarcastically.
“I’m going to love kicking your butt if you don’t start minding your own business, you big brat,” I teased as I lightly hit him on the shoulder before turning and heading back upstairs.
Archer caught my eye once I was behind the bar and I smiled at him, letting him know everything was okay. I worried a little how Archer was going to take my continued friendship with Dean, but told myself he’d just have to understand. I may not have known Dean long, but that didn’t matter; we were good friends and I was