Page 17 of Shattered

I reach across the table and smack his shoulder. “What’s wrong with you? Make it stop!” My eyes are completely filled with tears now. They are running down my face faster than I can wipe them away. But my tearstained face is not what I’m worrying about. I’m worried about never being able to taste anything ever again because I know my taste buds are burning off right now.

All my yelling at River and acting like a complete crazy person gets the attention of the waitress and she rushes over with a glass. “Drink this.”

I take the glass, more than willing to drink anything that will put me out of my misery. I chug the magical substance, that just so happens to be milk, and little by little, the burning subsides. I set the empty glass on the table while she stands back watching with a look that says ‘I told you so’.

“Oh, that’s so much better. Thank you.”

She nods with her arms crossed over her chest and walks away.

I use my napkin to dry my face as I look back up at River. He’s just sitting there eating like nothing is going on.

I feel my eyebrow raise. “Are you serious? How can you even eat that?”

He shrugs. “I like it.”

“I hate spicy food.” I toss my napkin down on the table and scoot my chair back. “In fact, I think I’m going to go pay and get out of here.” I stand without telling him goodbye and turn towards the register.

The waitress who waited on my table is now behind the counter. When I walk up, she smiles and waves me on.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

She nods. “It happens all the time.”

I can only imagine. “Thank you,” I tell her with a kind, appreciative smile.

I push open the door and step out onto the sidewalk. I’m only a few steps away when River rushes out behind me.

“Hey!”

I stop and turn to face him. “You are a really bad stalker. You know, you’re not supposed to let me see you.”

He rolls his eyes. “I’m not stalking you. What are you doing today?”

I shrug as I begin walking again. “I have to pack.”

“Pack?” he sounds alarmed as his feet stop moving.

“Yeah, I’m taking a trip,” I say over my shoulder.

He jogs until he catches back up to me. “Where to?”

I look at him, feeling a smile tugging at my lips. “What’s it to you?”

“I’m just making conversation, Jovi.”

“I’m not the best at conversation,” I say without slowing as I jog across the street.

He keeps pace with me, and once we’re across the street, he grabs me by the crook of my arm, stopping me. “Let’s stop in here and grab a drink.” He motions towards the small pub we’re standing in front of.

My head cocks to the side while I look over at him, studying him. “Look, I didn’t mean for you to fall in love with me or anything last night. That broken girl you met yesterday and saw last night, that’s not me.”

He rolls his eyes yet again. “Don’t be so full of yourself.” He grabs me by my shoulders and walks me in the door.

5

PLAYING IT SAFE…

He practically pushes me up to the bar and onto a barstool before motioning for the bartender.

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