Page 3 of Panther's Magpie
“Good. We will wait then.”
It takes them forty-five minutes to find the clip. When they do, they all come over to hug Aspen and tell her how proud they are of her. Then Calloway kneels beside her, fixing the clip in her hair.
“Aspen, the clip was never important. You are. Don’t let anyone take your shine,” he whispers to her.
“You bought it for me. I didn’t ask for it, you just brought it home. I’ve never had a gift that was just because before. To me, it is important,” she tells him, her hand on the clip in her hair.
He nods. “Okay. Let’s go home. Thank you for waiting with her.” He’s speaking with Henrietta now.
“Of course, Mr. Alstone. We love Aspen, don’t we, Maggie?” Henrietta asks me.
I only nod.
“Well, it’s appreciated. We should get going now.”
I watch as he walks Aspen over to his bicycle as Henrietta leads me to her car. I frown as Aspen jumps up on his handlebars.
I shouldn’t be envious of my best friend, but I am.
I love Henrietta, but she is paid to be here with me. It is her job. If she were fired, I wouldn’t see her again.
I don’t have anyone in my life like Calloway. I don’t have someone who will always take care of me and never leave me. Someone who looks at me the way Calloway looks at her. Someone willing to fight the principal for me.
So yes, I am envious of my best friend.
I want what she has.
A family.
CHAPTER
ONE
MAGGIE
Years later
“Where’s Aspen?”
That’s the million-dollar question. I know where she was when I left, but I have no idea where she is now. I didn’t want to leave my best friend at some little dive bar surrounded by big, scary men, but I had no choice.
Not that the big, scary man in front of me is any better.
Calloway Alstone.
I haven’t seen him in years, but I wouldn’t have recognized him if I passed him on the street. He’s not the same guy who showed up to Aspen’s graduation, only staying long enough to give her a hug and an envelope of cash.
No, he is harder. Darker. Scarier.
Taking a deep, shaky breath, I tell him, “She’s in trouble, and I think she needs your help.”
He rubs a hand over his face before facing me once more with a serious expression.
“Tell me everything.”
I nod. “We were on a road trip. She wanted to stop for a drink at the bar. I told her we shouldn’t, but, well, you know Aspen.”
His eyes narrow. “Where is this bar, Maggie?”
