Page 32 of Shattered By the Currents

She swallowed the lump in her throat before looking back to Polly. “Thank you so much for the offer, but I’m okay.”

She wasn’t okay. She was homeless and desperately needed a place to live. But she wasn’t a safe person right now. She hada dangerous ex and there was no way, absolutely none, that she was bringing that danger to Polly’s doorstep. Sure, Joel was probably there a lot of the time, but notallthe time. And Polly had already been through too much.

Polly’s brows flickered. “Are you sure?”

No. “Yes.”

“Okay. The offers stands if you change your mind.”

“Thank you.”

She took a deep breath, praying her cheeks weren’t as beetroot red as they felt, before walking over to Connor, Ryan, and Zac. She only met Connor’s gaze for a second before looking at his friends. “Hey. Thank you for coming.”

“I’ve never painted before,” Ryan said.

Zac rubbed his jaw. “Me neither, but I have a feeling I’m going to be good at this.”

A small smile curved Raven’s lips. “Mandy’s our instructor tonight, and she’ll take good care of everyone. Help yourselves to food and drinks. We should be starting in about ten minutes.”

Ryan and Zac headed toward the food table, but when Connor didn’t follow, Raven had to force her feet to remain where they were, even though she had a strong and completely ridiculous urge to run. Hightail it anywhere but here.

“How are you doing tonight?” he asked, the rumble of his deep voice sliding over her skin like silk.

“I’m good. Sorry, I should get back to helping Mandy set up.”

She was two steps away before Connor appeared beside her. “I saw you talking to Polly.”

Heat returned to her cheeks, but she didn’t want to be embarrassed. Or at least, she didn’t want Connor to know. “Yeah. She, um, offered me the apartment over her garage.”

“When are you moving in?”

She stopped moving and forced herself to meet his gaze. “I’m not. I’m okay, Connor. I don’t need charity from Polly.” Parttruth…part lie. She was surviving, which had to count after what she’d been through.

“The apartment’s empty. If you need a place to stay?—”

“I don’t.” The lies just kept on rolling. “I told you, I’m fine.”

He inched closer. “Raven. There’s nothing wrong with accepting help.”

For a moment, she got lost in those moss-green eyes. They were soft and gentle, two things she was only just realizing Xander had never been.

Then, from her peripheral vision, she saw the door open and Lottie Fuller walk in.

What wasshedoing here?

“Excuse me.” Her next smile was possibly one of the most forced of the night. “Lottie. I’m sorry, you didn’t buy a ticket and the session is full.”

“I’m not painting.” She cast an assessing glance around the center. “I was just driving by, saw all the cars, and thought I’d pop in. You got quite a crowd.”

Yeah, despite your attempt to ruin me. “Yes, turnout is good.”

“Hm.” She looked back at Raven, not a single shred of friendliness in her gaze. “Where are you living?”

She tensed. “With all due respect, that’s none of your business.”

“Because I know my brother kicked you out after you couldn’t make rent.”

“Actually, he kicked me out after you told him I embarrassed you.”