Small Heath's Angel

Chapter 9 - Mistake

Word Count:
1875

The day had been long and busy. Barely getting to a seat, Florence stumbled through the doors of the Garrison. A drink is what she needed; well maybe three or four, possibly even a whole bottle, was more accurate.

The patrons mostly left her alone. They would make small talk with her when waiting for drinks but never dared risk anything else. Harry was one of the few who ever had decent, long conversations with her.

So there Florence sat, at the bar nursing a glass of vodka, talking with Harry about her day. The seat next to her, which was deliberately left vacant, was filled. Harry looked at them as if they were mad but waited for Florence's reaction.

She turned to the person next to her, her face lit up slightly.

"Why hello there Josiah," Florence said, her eyes running up and down his figure leading his smirk to only widen. Harry tended to another patron after concluding she was comfortable to be left alone.

"Good evening Miss Masters," he replied, his voice smooth.

She arched her brow, downing her drink. "What's with formalities?"

His smirk widened. "Maybe I wanted to impress you." His voice was teasing as he met her eyes. She attempted to suppress the heat which rushed to her cheeks. "How 'bout I get you a drink?"

She contemplated for a moment before saying, "yeah, that'd be nice."

Josiah waved Harry over. "A whiskey for me and a vodka for the Angel." He inclined his head toward her and placed two coins on the counter.

Florence blushed at the use of the nickname and tried to hold back her grin. "You know my order?" Harry poured the drinks for the two and collected the money.

"'Course." Josiah held up his glass. "To new beginnings," he toasted, sending her a light smile.

"New beginnings," she repeated back, returning his grin as they both took a sip of their drinks.

"So," Josiah started, "what is an Angel like you doing in a place with bellends like us?"

She laughed quietly. "Maybe I just need a distraction."

"A distraction?" His brow arched, a slight smirk ghosted his face.

She nodded. "Yeah, something to occupy my mind during my off hours." She lifted both brows quickly before sipping her drink.

"Perhaps I can help with that," he teased, lightly placing his hand just above her knee and winking at her.

She blushed, taking a big gulp of her drink. "Tell me Josiah," she tapped her fingers on the bar, "what job have you taken up after coming back from France?"

"I fix up cars," he said, smiling.

Florence's eyes shone. "I've always wondered how those things work."

"You never learned?" His voice was full of surprise rather than judgment, easing Florence's feeling of embarrassment.

She let out a light scoff. "No. Never really had time to in all honesty." Her voice was light but her tiredness showed through.

Josiah idly traces small circles on her thighs. "Maybe one day I can teach you? Show you the ropes?" He asked gently, eyes shining with hope.

Lightly blushing and grinning, Florence nodded her head. "I'd like that."

The doors the Garrison blasted open leading the room into silence. The entire Shelby family stood at the entrance. Tommy noticed Florence and Josiah at the bar, tensing his jaw and whispering something so his brothers and aunt.