Shit.
But then she walks in, and all that weird buzzing in my chest fades instantly.
“Come here, Em,” I say, spreading my legs so she can settle in.
She curls into me, her head in my neck. “Gargoyle… I gotta tell you something,” she whispers. “I’m kinda nervous.”
I nod, rubbing slow circles on her back like I always do when she’s on edge. “I know. And hey, there’s no pressure. I didn't bring you here to make things happen. I just wanted to be with you.”
She lifts her head, and those green eyes of hers go straight through me. “I do want to. That doesn’t mean I’m not nervous.”
“Wanna go for a walk first? Check out the town, find something to eat?” I’m nervous too. But I’m hiding it for her. That’s the deal.
“No,” she says, serious suddenly. “I’ve been losing sleep since you booked this place. Iwantto do this. Now.”
I laugh and pull her tighter. “You’re freaking adorable, you know that?” I kiss her neck. She squirms like always, giggling.
“Okay, okay—wait, I have an idea.” I get up, head to my bag, and pull out two bottles—one in each hand. “For the nerves,” I say with a wink.
Her eyes go wide, and she gives me this wicked grin.
God, I love this girl.
Monday.Same.
Tuesday.Still the same.
Wednesday.And I’m still mad as hell.
My teammates are working quietly on their assignments. IpretendI’m doing the same. But really? All I’m doing is staring at the empty glass box that is Luca’s office.
The coward hasn’t shown up once since Saturday afternoon.
Since he used me.Left me naked and vulnerable. Alone on my damn couch.
The second he left, I threw a cloth over my canvas. I couldn’t even look at it.
I haven’t painted since. I haven’t created anything. Then, that block followed me to work. And now it’s sitting in my chest like a ticking bomb of fury.
I try to distract myself by scrolling through my phone’s gallery. Photos with my sister always calm me down. But one picture stops me—a shot I took the day I moved to Miami. Fromthe plane window. The city shines below the wing like a jewel. Bright. Beautiful. Full of promise.
I post it on my anonymous Instagram account. Just something to feel... connected to who I used to be. And because clearly, I’ve lost control of my brain, it starts spiraling again.
I wonder if Luca saw Lauren in New York. And if he did—will he mention it?STOP IT, EMMA.
Just breathe. Just?—
Ping.A DM.FromGargoth. That account’s been messaging me more lately. Always after I post something.
Gargoth:
Destination?
LoveLamb:
Just a photo I liked.
Gargoth:
