Furiously scribbling notes and videoing Josh with her phone as he demoed the process was such a sweet relief from her recent depressing thoughts River could have cried.
This was healing.
This was moving forward.
This was leaving Patrick O’Faolain behind.
Damn it. River realized she’d allowed a few tears to escape, now trekking down her cheeks. The class stood around Josh as he helped each student create their bracelet. It was hot and hard work. If anyone noticed her ridiculous tears, she hoped they thought it was sweat.
“River?”
Double damn. It was her turn, and she had spaced for a moment. Damn it all to hell. She’d been doing so well too. “Oh, sorry, Josh. I’m ready.” Josh gave her a steady look. She hadn’t fooled him.
River got through her turn— and— drumroll— she loved it! Damn her sisters. As everyone was packing up their things, she was still turning over her lovely, twisted bracelet, amazed she’d made something so pretty.
River hadn’t realized Josh had walked up until he spoke. “You’re a natural, River.” His smile and kind words made her feel good.
“Your exaggeration skills are top-notch,” she laughed. “Regardless of my skill level, I truly enjoyed myself. You are a great teacher.”
“You enjoyed yourself so much you cried?”
Startled, River started to flail her hands in the air and stutter out excuses about sweat or a possible eyelash. When her excuse train derailed, she awkwardly, very awkwardly, finished with, “Well, thanks so much, Josh. I’ll make sure to go to the O’Faolain’s tomorrow to look at your sculpture.”
River kept backing toward the exit, inanities still dripping from her stupid mouth. All the while, Josh just listened and watched, arms crossed over his broad chest, probably waiting for her to shut up. She didn’t blame him.
While she’d been mumbling incomplete thoughts, the rest of the class had already said their goodbyes. “Why did your sisters sign you up for this class?”
Umm, could they go back to a lighthearted mood? “Oh, they knew I’ve always been interested in the craft. Okay,” River tried once more to bow out, “thanks again.”
She’d gotten the door open this time, and then Josh asked, “Hey, you want to go to O’Donoghue’s? Some of my friends are meeting there to watch a good friend’s band play?” At River’s hesitation, he added, “Only friends, River. I mean it. You obviously have stuff going on. I do, as well. I could use a friend.”
River thought about running until she was in her bed with the covers thrown over her head, but that wouldn’t fix her broken parts. She did need friends and friendly outings. “Oh, actually, that sounds great.”
Josh looked surprised his offer worked. “I’ve been in the smithy since six this morning. I hope you’re hungry because I’m about to order the menu.” She laughed, and he did too, but admitted, “I actually do plan on ordering... a lot,” he smirked.
Raven laughed. Like, not a fake one, but a real laugh. It felt amazing.
* * *
O’Donoghue’s was crazy fun.Josh’s friend was the lead singer for a traditional Irish band, sounding just like the music her father had loved so much. She’d thought never to enjoy this type of evening again... without him.
Josh leaned into her side and asked, “Why did you cry tonight?”
It might be the whiskey shots, but River wasn’t embarrassed like she probably should be. Everyone had an off day. Being cheated on wasn’t a ‘Breaking News’ story. It happened all the time, and she refused to be ashamed of someone else’s awful behavior.
She looked at Josh then, really looked at him. He was a very handsome man with tight brown curls buzzed close to his scalp and caramel skin— the muscles were a given in his profession.
She knew from earlier visits with her sisters that his father was a native Dubliner, and his mother was a Nigerian who had moved to Ireland to be with her love. It was a romantic story. River had seen a picture of Josh and his folks hung in his shop earlier that evening. He shared his father’s build, close to six feet, but Josh was way more bulked up. His beautiful chocolate eyes and wide smile came from his mother. In the picture, Mrs. Ryan wore a bright blue kaftan with a navy and gold silk scarf wrapped around her head. It was a great family photo.
But just because Josh was nice and came from a nice family didn’t mean she wanted to answer his private questions. “Why do you want to know?” River countered.
Josh took a sip of his drink, staying silent for a moment. “Something, or someone, hurt you, and your sisters added you to my class because of it. You seem sad. I’d like us to be friends, which means I want to knowyou.”
Well, put like that... River tapped her fingernail against the top of her glass, contemplating how to answer. “I was in love with a man who cheated on me New Year’s Eve. The same night he first told me he loved me.” The truth, apparently.
“Did hetellyou?” Josh asked, eyes wide.
“The pictures were all over social media and the Tulsa newspaper the next morning. I haven’t spoken to him since. My sisters and I flew home that day.”
