Page 155 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

-It must be exhausting being delusional.

ME:

-It's almost as exhausting as ignoring the inevitable.

He left me on ‘read’. But that’s okay!

I’ll surprise him by visiting his showcase tonight at the gallery. He told me a few days ago that it was today, so he shouldn't be surprised that I show up to support him. I might also buy all his canvases again to keep his other paintings company.

Just kidding. I'll be good. I'll give others the chance to buy his art.

*-*-*-*

Just kidding, I lied. Again.

As soon as I arrive, I'm greeted by Nat and Oscar, who tell me that Rurik’s second showcase is already a raging success. Apparently, there's a bidding war happening for his canvases. I quickly shut that down by purchasing them all at once — much to Oscar’s disapproval.

“What?” I ask him innocently. “I love his paintings.”

“You’re not the only one,” he sighs, handing me my receipt. "Don’t you think Rurik’s paintings should be in other people’s homes so their friends and family can see them? His paintings should be out there to be enjoyed by others.”

“It’s so adorable that you think I give a shit about those randos, Oscar,” I say sweetly, patting his cheek.

“No,” Nat says with a knowing smirk. “But you care about Rurik and his success, no?”

I glare at her.

Ugh, fine.

“Save me the top two popular ones, and donate the rest to whoever you want.” I mumble, “Charity purposes or whatever.”

“Pay up!” Nat grins at her husband. “I knew shit was up between these two.”

“Shut up,” I say, poking her shoulder. “Rurik doesn’t want anyone to know about us.”

“Okay,” Oscar snickers. “It’s obvious whenever he grins at his phone while asking me if you were always so annoying.”

“What?” I blink.

“Yeah. He would say stuff like ‘Briar’s so damn annoying’ while wearing this cheesy smile. Or he would mumble ‘she’s such a migraine’ while scrolling through your social media.”

I grin stupidly wide. That damn asshole. He goes around calling me a stalker when he’s the one who stalks through my socials.

“There he is!” Nat says, turning me around and pushing me toward Rurik. “Go congratulate him. He’s been a nervous wreck ever since we started.”

Awww, my poor angel.

I see him talking to a man standing in front of a canvas. I silently walk over, grinning when our eyes meet. His brows furrow slightly at seeing me before he turns back to the man.

“Thank you for your support,” Rurik says with a gracious smile, nodding. “I appreciate it.”

I grin up at him as Rurik strides toward me. “Hey, Rurik. Congratulations on another successful art showcase.”

“What are you doing here?” he asks in a low, rough tone. He’s smiling at random guests, pretending to look intrigued by a random artwork.

Um, okay. Did I expect him to grin brightly and push the man out of his way so he could get to me and kiss the hell out of me?

Maybe.

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