A few of the others joined in.
That settled it. I was one hundred percent out of here.
Remaining standing, I turned back to give Dom a look, even as he watched Sheila with undivided attention, much like the others. I waved my hand a little more before he finally noticed. With a tip of my head, he took my lead and followed me, but only for a step. He couldn’t be too accommodating after all.
The time to make my escape was dwindling. People who hadn’t put on their dirty, borrowed aprons were now. Those past that step talked about now nice having their own would be if they ever came back for a class. I most certainly was not going to be a part of either group. Though I completely supported my dear friend, I was not the one who had signed up for a night of middle-aged fun.
I put a hand up to grab our instructor’s attention as she walked her way down the line, tying on her very own embroidered apron. It still wasn’t as nice as the festive holiday-appropriate aprons we had at the house whenever the coven cooked and baked for all major holidays. And whenever we had late-night munchies after talking for too long. Of course, the need for so many prints and ruffles in a pottery studio was more debatable.
“Why, hello again.”
“Hi,” I started. “I’m sorry. It looks like my friend who signed me up with her isn’t actually showing up tonight.”
“How wonderful,” our teacher proclaimed without pause. “Then, your moral support can join you. I love when things just work out.”
“Actually, no. I’m not sure you’re understanding. I wasn’t the one who wanted to come here tonight exactly. I mean, I did. Of course I did. But I’m the true first moral support. For my friend.”
Both Dom and Sheila looked at me blankly, as if I’d made no sense. Nonetheless, I had put up with too much in my life to suddenly let some woman with bulbous earrings hold me hostage in a crafting corner I didn’t want to participate in.
“I’m really not all that creative when it comes to this sort of thing or most things or anything that has to do with my hands. Trust me, art, playing any instrument—my mother tried, putting more pressure on than most parents should ever put on a child—it’s a no-go.”
“Oh dear, is that so?”
“I think it’s best if I just call it a night and head out, and you won’t have to deal with my filthy profanity that is surely going to come out of my mouth this evening,” I further explained. I tried to take another step toward the door before a hand curled over my shoulder.
Dom looked at me without any remorse. He leaned down close to my ear, though his voice still managed to carry in the large arched-ceiling room. “You’re a hairdresser. I think that has something to do with your hands. Do we need to addliarto your ever-growing description?”
Sheila clapped her hands together, luckily turning away when my cheeks flooded with heat. Only Dom got to see that, looking mighty proud of his terrible self.
Goddess, I was starting to wonder how I’d ever thought I loved him.
Liked him.
Anything.
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop that train of thought.
“Fantastic!” cheered on Sheila.
We were going to be locked inside this place before we were allowed to leave, weren’t we?
“That is still a sort of art, and it’s all right. Plenty of us tonight are beginners. All are welcome. Take a seat and enjoy. Then, you can show your no-show what she missed and come back again another time.”
Yeah, not going to happen.
I needed a nap.
“What, are you really going to run out now that our instructor believes in your artistic abilities, Sparkles?” Dom asked.
I glared at him, grabbing what was on the station next to me. I aggressively tossed him the apron that was meant for Faith. Poor, truly flaky, socially stunted Faith, who didn’t understand meeting her own commitments. “Suit up then, ace.”
The tan apron landed directly in the center of his chest, clay dust bursting into the air and over his black shirt.
I cocked my head to the side as I grabbed my own apron, slinging it overhead before tying it in a swift knot at the back. He only stared at me, as if shocked that I was not going to do this.
“What, didn’t you think of this part of your humiliation plan this evening? Follow through, buddy. I can’t wait to see what your crafty creativity brings today.”
Dom snickered. “Don’t worry about me. Unlike you, I’m very good with my hands. I’m sure you remember that.”
