Page 31 of Shattered By the Currents

She closed her eyes and inhaled long, deep breaths. It was fine. Everything would be fine.

Her eyes flashed open when the door to the community center opened. A woman entered with a large tote bag strung over her shoulder, paint splatters dotting the beige material. Under her arm was a folded easel. She looked to be in her mid-forties and wore a knee-length cotton dress with splashes of color.

Raven put on her best practiced smile as she closed the distance between them. “Hi. Mandy, right? I’m Raven.”

“Yes. Hi, Raven. It’s nice to put a name to the face.”

“I agree.” She turned. “Well, this is the space, and ticket holders should be arriving in the next half hour.”

She’d already set up a dozen tables in a big semi-circle, as per Mandy’s instructions. Participants would be standing, so no seats were needed.

Mandy stepped farther into the room. “This looks wonderful. I’ll just set everything up.”

“Great, would you like any…” The word help was on the tip of her tongue when the door opened again, and four people walked in—Polly, Maggie, Joel, and Ethan.

Her smile faltered. Why were they so early? “Excuse me.”

Polly smiled sheepishly when Raven got close. “Hi. Sorry. We’re early. But not the cute kind. The haven’t-given-you-time-to-properly-set-up early.”

“Oh no, it’s fine.” Not technically true; it was annoying. But hey, better early than not here at all. “Snacks, wine, and champagne are on the back table, and Mandy, our artist instructor, is just setting up.”

“You had me at snacks,” Joel said, as he crossed the space to the back table.

Ethan chuckled before following. “Thanks, Raven.”

Polly rolled her eyes. “Sorry, he hears the word ‘snacks’ and forgets his name, plans, and all dignity.”

“I suffer from the same illness.”

Both women chuckled.

“This looks great,” Maggie said, as she took in the room.

“Thanks. I can’t believe it’s going ahead. Connor really saved my ass on this one.” She wasn’t exaggerating. She’d started the day with just two sign-ups left, both contemplating cancelling, and finished the day with a full class.

Maggie cringed. “Sorry, we should have bought tickets earlier. We planned to, but…”

“Time got away from us,” Polly finished.

“You don’t need to apologize. You’re here, and that’s amazing.” Raven shot a glance over her shoulder. “I might ask Mandy if she needs help putting out the paint supplies before others get here.”

“Let us know if you need help,” Maggie added.

Raven spent the next twenty minutes helping Mandy prepare as more guests arrived. She’d just finished setting out the paintbrushes when Polly approached.

“Hey.” Her friend lowered her voice. “So, I’m not sure if you know, but I have this tiny little apartment over my garage. Honestly, it’s the size of a shoebox. But it’s got everything—a kitchen, bathroom, bed. And I’m not sure if you’re looking at the moment, but if you are, you’re welcome to it.”

She tensed. Did she know? How could she? “Um. Thank you. But why would you think I’m looking?”

“Oh, uh, well…Connor just mentioned you might need a place?”

Embarrassment crawled around her chest. Connor knew.

Ofcoursehe knew. He clocked everything.

At that exact moment, the door to the center opened, and the man himself stepped inside.

She was embarrassed, but she wasn’t sure why. Because the man she’d been crushing on for weeks had figured out she was homeless? Because while she’d been thinking about how beautiful his smile was and how attractive his laugh, he’d been feeling sorry for her and asking his friends for favors?