“Ssssh, angel, people can hear us.” I pause, then quirk a brow. “Unless you’re into exhibitionism.”
He gives this random woman a charming smile, who glances at me and wrinkles her nose. He then hands her a pamphlet and winks, “Hopefully, we’ll see you there.”
She giggles and tosses her hair over her shoulder. “If you’re going to be there, I definitely will. I’ll have to find a nice mask to suit my dress. Are you an artist?”
“Yes, ma’am. Or, I’m trying to be.”
She giggles again, touching his upper arm.
This woman better get her hands off him if she wants to keep her five fingers…
“Oh, I’m sure you’re a talented artist,” She says. “I bet you’re talented enough to sculpt your mask for the masquerade.”
“That’s kind of you, but I only paint on canvases,” Rurik blushes, chuckling as he shrugs. He gives her another one of those charming smiles. “But, thank you.”
I hate that I’m not the reason why his face is brightening that happily.
She fucking giggles again.
I have never wanted to punch a person for existing.
“Leave. Now.” I bark, placing an arm around Rurik’s waist.
He tries to shove me off, but I ignore him and stare at the woman. I may be shorter than these two, but they’re going to learn today never to piss off a 5’2” woman with an attitude problem. Attitude, in this case, is murderous.
“Excuse me?” The lady huffs, literally clutching her pearls. Do people under 50 still wear those?
“That’s so polite of you to ask. Yes, you’re excused.”
Rurik clears his throat and tries to sidestep me. “Thank you for visiting. Please contact Oscar, the art director, or find me again if you have any questions.”
“Or me if you want to get punched in the face,” I add sweetly.
Rurik curses under his breath, turns around, and immediately walks away, his face red and his lips purse tightly. I turn to the woman to see her watching him and snap my fingers in her face.
“Why are you still here?” I ask, waving my hand at her. “Be gone, woman.”
She opens her mouth, eyes wide, then closes again. She repeats this several times until she scoffs and leaves the gallery.
Finally.
Sighing, I turn around and try to look for my angel.
Where did he go this time? I continue handing out pamphlets to new visitors walking in and feel my annoyance increase with each minute I'm away from Rurik’s side.
“You know, maybe practice smiling and less glaring while handing those out?” Oscar suggests.
I turn around to grin at him. “I’m smiling.”
He raises a brow. “Where? On the inside? You’re glaring at every person who walks near you. I wouldn’t be surprised if you shoot laser beams out of your eyes.”
“Whoops,” I shrug, giving him the rest of the pamphlets. “Where’s Rurik?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you lying?”
“Why would I do that?”