Page 10 of Drawn To You

After hitting send, I placed my phone down and immersed myself in my book. Able to focus on it now that Edgar was done singing for the night.

I was so wrapped up in the story that I hadn’t noticed when someone had stopped at my table until they pulled out a seat to sit down. “About time you got here,” I said and looked up thinking it was Lily or Rain, and almost fell over when I met Joshua’s amused stare.

“I would have gotten here sooner if I had known you were waiting for me.” he teased. Stunned and confused I blurted out “What are you doing here?” and immediately regretted my words knowing how rude the question sounded.

“To be honest I thought this was a public establishment but if I was mistaken I could leave.” he teased. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so rude. I was just expecting Lily and was caught off guard when I realized it was you instead.” I apologized, embarrassment furrowing my eyebrows. “As long as you don’t plan on shooting any arrows my way, I think we will get along just fine.”

A groan overflowing with annoyance vibrated through my chest at his mention of my embarrassing scar story but I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re a jerk, I should have never told you that story.”

“Maybe. But at least I’m a funny jerk, you are smiling after all.” and I had to give it to him, I was smiling.

“Joking aside, what are you doing here? I’m here all the time and I’ve never run into you here before.” “I’m supposed to meet up with Josh and Maddox. We’re going to hang out,” he answered. “Guys’ night out, huh?” I smiled. “Something like that,” he said letting out a breath and looking away and I got the feeling this might be more than a simple night out for him.

Noticing the disregarded guitar for the first time he asked Edgar if it was OK if he played. To which Edgar replied, “By all means, I’m sure our Abby would enjoy a different tune for a change.” he said with a smile.

“No one could replace you in my book Edgar. You know I’ll always be your biggest fan.” I teased and he laughed out loud and smacked his knee in delight. “I know it, girly.”

I watched in fascination as Joshua tuned the guitar before he started strumming out the notes to Pearl Jams’ “Last Kiss” and to my complete astonishment, he started to sing. I was stunned by the intensity of hissinging.His voice was soulful and deep like the ocean and sweet like honey, soothing and warm, and he hit all the high notes so perfectly.

When he was done I had to clap and cheer for him, “That was amazing, I wish I could play and sing like that.” I told him slightly envious of his talent.

“You can. You just have to practice,” he said with a smile.

I started to shake my head in denial. “I tried playing the guitar in high school and quickly gave up. My little hands kept cramping up and I knew my musical career was doomed.” I told him showing him my hands so he could see I wasn’t exaggerating how small they were.

“Oh wow, your right, your hands are freakishly tiny!” he teased.

“Hey, they’re small but I wouldn’t say they are freakish.” I laughed.

“I don’t know, you might want to see a specialist about your hand affliction.”

“I’m not afflicted, maybe you just have freakishly large hands,” I shot back.

“You know what they say about large hands, right?” The suggestive tone in his voice shocked the blood right back into my cheeks, and the rest of my body flushed with what he was implying.

“Large hands,” he trailed off, his voice growing deeper with every word that dripped from his lips. “Large gloves in the Winter.”

“Oh my Gosh! You’re so dumb,” I laughed, trying to ignore the heat traveling up my spine at his playful banter.

Our eyes met, and his gaze banished any thoughts from my brain. To my complete horror, I felt myself suppress a giggle as I tucked a piece of fallen hair behind my ear.

Joshua watched me with a curious-looking smile twisting his lips, and I couldn’t remember the last time I looked at anything so wonderful. I shook my head willing away the foolish train of thought.

“Finally! I was about to text you both and see where you were.”I said as I noticed that Lily and Rain had finally arrived.

“Hey, don’t blame me; we would have been here sooner if this one didn’t have to drive at Grandma-speed,” Lily said while nodding her head in Rain’s direction.

“Hey Joshua, how are Shannon and my two adorable godsons doing?” she questioned as she leaned in and gave him a hug.

At the mention of his wife and kids, I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as I was reminded that I had just spent the last half hour or so unashamedly crushing on a man who was completely off-limits.

At that moment I decided to avoid being left alone with him in the future considering I was crazy attracted to him and that didn’t sit well with me. I was not the type of girl that was OK with flirting with married men. I didn’t care if the rumors I had heard about his wife were true or not. It was none of my business and a non-factor. Even if I did feel really bad for him. Nobody deserved to be cheated on. Especially not a man as kind-hearted as I suspected Joshua to be.

* * *

Joshua

Moving on slow feet, I made my way around the pool table to take my shot. When I was done I looked at my two best friends and just spit out what I needed to get off my chest. “I’m positive Shannon is cheating on me now.”

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