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I gri to lose it

As I walk in, I see that there’s a light on in one of the back rooet this over with

“Nathaniel?” I call softly as I approach the door There’s no answer, so I step inside the rooe drop cloth, splattered with paint, an array of painting supplies, and a huge canvas I glance around again for Nathaniel, but there’s no sign of him Curious, I walk around to the front of the canvas

As soon as I look at it, I freeze My jaw drops

It’s… me

I can barely breathe as I step closer to the painting It’s gorgeous The artist captured everything, froles ofThe wo that little s mischievously Who the hell has done this?

“You weren’t supposed to see that,” a deep voice says behindthere in the doorway, a bottle of whiskey clutched in his hand

I tilt esture at the bottle “Please don’t tellthe last few days”

“Like you give a da the bitterness in his voice

I walk toward hi, ain, but I didn’t expect it to be so intense

I should have known better

I reach hi his face between the his eyes He looks away, and I say his naain “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t Micah caentle “He’s worried about you He said you’re sad, and that he thought I could make it better”

A tear slides down his face, and I gently wipe it aith my thumb “I’m sorry he bothered you… I didn’t know he realized…”

“He didn’t bother lad he told ood kid, clearly He doesn’t see back when he thinks someone needs help”

Nathaniel gives a sht I played it off okay, but maybe not,” he says Then he takes a deep breath “Micah’s mom—”