Page 115 of Horn in My Side
“I’m Mal.But I didn’t order—”
“Here you go.”He shoved the box into Mal’s hands.“Have a good day.”
Mal scratched his head as he examined the box.The name of the store on the shipping label didn’t ring a bell at all.The box was heavy in his hands and the contents inside rocked to and fro when he shook it.What could it be?
There’s only one way to find out.
Dropping his duffle to the ground, he used a claw to rip at the tape, then reached inside to remove a heavily bubble-wrapped package inside.After tearing through the plastic cocoon, he pulled out the mystery item.
“A snow globe?”
Mal definitely hadn’t ordered this.The shipping company must have made a mistake.He was about to put it back in the box when he noticed something peculiar about the insert.Holding it up to the light, he peered through the glass.The scene inside featured the cross-section of a building—a pet shop, to be exact.There on the first floor were all the land-based and avian animals and the second floor was filled with tanks of sea creatures of all sizes.He twisted the globe around, to the front of the miniature.Three figures stood under a sign that said Fantastic Tails and Magical Scales.One was a tall orc with a grumpy face and the second, a petite woman with a bright smile.Between them was a small, dark-blue dragon hatchling.
Who could this be from?
Then he noticed the inscription on the base:
This will always be your heart-home.I love you.
A deafening roar rushed into his ears.There was only one person who could have sent this.
Jasmine.
And she loved him.
Why wouldn’t she come to his door and say it?He was only ten steps away.Why would she send this to him now?
Unless ...
A gift like this would have taken time to make.She had to have planned it in advance.Then he’d received that email ...
Anyway, it didn’t really matter when she’d ordered it.Only that she had.
Jasmine loved him.
He had to see her.
Hearts leaping into his throat, he dashed out the door,making the usually ten-minute trip to Fantastic Tails in half the time.When he reached the door, he nearly ripped it off in his haste.As he tried to enter, something collided into him and a cloud of familiar, flowery perfume filled his nose.
Jasmine cried out as the momentum of bumping into his chest sent her staggering back.He reached out, catching her before she fell, one arm winding around her.He was tempted to keep holding her, but he let go once she steadied herself.
“Thank—Mal?”she said, the shock and surprise in her voice evident.Brown doe eyes grew large as her gaze focused on him.“Wh-what are you doing here?”
“I came to see you,” he rasped.Glancing down, he saw her purse over her shoulder.“Where are you going?”
“To see you.”
Every molecule of air left his body.She looked beautiful and radiant, and he soaked up the sight of her like an orc starved of fresh water for days.His hearts pulled him to her, and the whole universe fell away.
Her eyes dropped down to his hands.“You got it?”
He’d carried the snow globe with him all the way here.“Jasmine,” he managed to croak.“Can we talk, please?”
“I think we should.”Stepping back, she made way for him to enter.Once the door closed, he turned to her.
“Jasmine, there’s something I should tell you.I shouldn’t have—”
“I love you, Mal,” she blurted out.
