Niamh instantly felt Jonathan’s eyes on her–a look sharp with annoyance, judgment, and a hint of disdain.
Before she could say a word, Julian jumped in, his voice loud and indignant. “Some nerve, blaming others first! It was you lot who started ganging up on Ms. Rivers the moment she walked in.”
“Ms. Rivers?” Jonathan rolled the title on his tongue, amused–almost as if the formality interested him more than the argument itself.
“I always thought you worked as a cleaner at the youth center. Didn’t expect you to climb your way up to teacher.”
Jonathan’s taunt made the piece of sashimi Niamh was chewing–now tinged with wasabi–lose all flavor. She knew Jonathan had helped adjust her start date at the center, there was no way he didn’t know what position she held. Which could only mean he’d bought into Marina’s friend’s lies, that Niamh had bullied Marina until she cried and now he was taking Marina’s side, making digs under the guise of banter.
Her grip on her fork tightened.
Across
the table Marina’s friends were suddenly brimming with newfound confidence, thanks to Jonathan’s presence–especially Lily and Olive.
“Funny, wasn’t it you who you, and Marina
Lily’s words were sugar–laced with mockery.
could only envy that said you’ve got a husband to take care of
Niamh kept her head down, saying nothing.
“Oh?” Jonathan’s interest sharpened. He turned to Niamh. “Was that you bragging about having a husband to support you?”
Niamh’s heart sank. The words she’d thrown at Marina in a petty moment had now ricocheted back at her, landing like a slap in the face.
Her cheeks burned; she wished the floor would swallow her whole.
“Seems you’re pretty proud of being kept by your husband, aren’t you?” Jonathan’s smile curled in mocking amusement, and even in derision, he managed to lo heart–stoppingly charming.
Niamh wanted to explain but couldn’t muster the words. Olive chimed in, “If you’re so capable, why didn’t you bring your husband along? Look at Marina–one post on
1/2
23.34
Instagram and Mr. Thomas shows up right away. Now, that’s true love.”
“Enough, Olive,” Marina murmured, touching her own cheek with feigned embarrassment.
“Aw, she’s blushing!” Olive teased, sending the table into a flurry of giggles.
Just then, the shop door chimed and someone arrived carrying an enormous bouquet–exquisitely wrapped, fresh pink roses.
“Wow!” Lily’s eyes went wide. “Marina’s favorite!”
“I was worried about you, so I left in a rush. Had Prescott order the flowers for me–didn’t expect the shop to deliver them so late,” Jonathan explained.
Marina’s eyes shimmered with grateful tears as she placed the bouquet on the table–right in front of Niamh.
It was no accident.
The flowers blocked Niamh’s face from view and, at the same time, served as a
pointed reminder of what she lacked.
Niamh felt the sting acutely.
With the enormous bouquet crowding her, the scent of roses overwhelmed her, making her sneeze again and again.
Jonathan, seated at the next table, heard her sneezing and assumed she was just trying to get his attention–his smirk growing even more dismissive.
“Ms. Rivers, are you finished eating?” Julian suddenly asked.
Niamh sniffled and nodded.
“Then let’s get out of here.”
Without another word, Julian seized her hand and strode towards the door, pulling her along behind him.
Jonathan’s gaze followed them–intense and razor–sharp–finally settling on Julian’s hand clasped tightly around Niamh’s. The hand Jonathan had wrapped around his teacup went rigid, knuckles whitening.
“Jonathan?” Marina, sitting right beside him, noticed the change immediately.
She quietly unlocked her phone and sent a quick message to someone on WhatsApp, her expression unreadable.
