Page 256 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

“Briar?”

I lift my head from the couch, pulling me back from daydreaming about Rurik again.

Nat and I had another girls' night last night, and she slept over. After breakfast, we went to the living room and watched a random movie. I didn’t realize I was starting to fall asleep, though. Despite Nat having slept over, I still couldn’t fall asleep because of how loud my mind was.

I wipe the corner of my lips and grimace, “Sorry. What happened?”

Nat rolls her eyes and smirks, “I said I will head out. You good here?”

I yawn before standing up to stretch. “Yup! Also, are you sure Aidan’s still cool with me crashing his apartment?

“My brother’s never here,” She scoffs. “He’s coming next week, much to my parents' joy. Oscar invited him to his art showcase, so it’ll be fun. Will you come over?”

“Of course,” I chirp, turning off the television and walking her to the door. “Will, uh… Will he be there?”

I don’t even need to specify who he is. Nat already knows.

She bites her bottom lip and shrugs. “To be honest, Rurik has been MIA lately ever since this shit about Philip went public last week.”

Concern washes over me. “Is he okay?”

“Oh yeah,” She nods. “He’s still texting Oscar.” She pauses briefly before adding, “He’s asked about you.”

“Oh,” I mumble. “You didn’t give him my number, right?”

“Would you kill me if I did?” Nat teases before sighing. “I should go. Lock up when I leave.”

“Yes, mom.” I mock before hugging her goodbye.

As soon as she leaves, I turn around and pause, staring at the space.

Three weeks of emptiness.

Three weeks of silence.

Three weeks of loneliness.

Three weeks of darkness.

Three fucking weeks without Rurik.

Jesus, I need to control myself once more. I immediately do my morning duties—shower, change, and clean up—which force me to have a normal day and feel average again.

Today, I need to do some groceries. As soon as I gather everything I need, I head out the door and lock it, just like Nat demanded.

I debated stalking Rurik like a creep. I may have lost the battle, so I went to this bougie grocery store where he works.

To my surprise, I found out he quit weeks ago. Why didn’t he tell me if this was weeks ago?

And why should I even care? I need to get over him.

Still, I try not to think about him while driving home. But I can’t help it. What if he’s at the gallery now with Oscar, helping him with his showcase?

I should just stop by.

No, Briar. Get over him.

But I miss him.

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