Page 40 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

Once again, I'm only one to socialize much if it's related to my work or art. So, how can I expect to meet a nice woman to ask out if I don't try to socialize?

Then again, I put my artwork out there and somehow managed to attract a nightmare.

The nightmare grins at Barbara, “Aww, that’s so cute!”

Barbara loops her arm around mine, and I can't help but notice how Briar's eyes zero in on her hand as if it were a bug begging to be squashed.

Fuck.

“So, where are you from, Barb?” Briar asks sweetly, her face the image of inviting innocence.

“Proud New Yorker,” Barbara answers with a smug.

Briar grins along with her, “Wow, that's so cool! Do you live around here?”

I stiffen. Why the fuck does she care?

"See that high-rise over there?" Barbara points to a building just visible above the trees in the distance.

“Oh yeah, I see it. Is that in the Manhattan Valley area?” Briar asks curiously, tilting her head to the side.

I blink in confusion. How could she have known which specific building Barbara was talking about when there are so many high rises in the area?

“Yes!” Barbara says, clapping her hands.

Let me melt into a puddle now.

“Oh, that’s a good area. Is it gated?”

“There’s 24/7 security, so it’s safe.”

“Ah, that’s good. Is your place called the Lotus Bloom by any chance?”

My eyes narrow as I glare at Briar. But the little shit isn’t paying attention to me, for once. The corner of her lips tip upward, and her eyes flash with recognition as Barbara nods enthusiastically.

“That’s the one!”

“Wow! But shopping must be a pain, though, right? I’ve always wondered how you bring all your shopping bags while living in such a tall building?”

Barbara waves her hand dismissively, “Oh, I don’t have to worry about that. I live on the third floor, and we have elevators.”

There's that stupid grin again that never fails to raise my temper. “Thank goodness for elevators.”

“Right? I can’t imagine taking three flights of stairs every time I carry so many bags.”

Briar sighs heavily and shakes her head as if she understands Barbara’s bullshit. “I’m happy to hear you live in Lotus Bloom, the one in Manhattan Valley, and that you’re only on the 3rd floor.”

Jesus fucking hell.

I fight the urge to smack Barbara’s mouth shut when I see her bouncing to say more. Briar sounds like she's making mental notes and storing them in that crazy head of hers for safekeeping.

“Have you been?” Barbara wouldn’t shut the hell up.

Briar slowly smirks, “Not yet. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you there soon.”

“That would be amazing! We should totally hang out when I see you!”

“Oh. Em. Gee, Barb! That’s such an awesome idea. We, like, totally should!” She then quickly glances at me. And winks.

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