Page 55 of Panther's Magpie
“I’ve missed you, baby,” she coos.
She tries to touch his arm, but he bats her hand away.
“Ava, I thought I made it clear that I didn’t want to see you,” he says coolly.
“Baby, we both know you say things you don’t mean.”
As I study them next to each other, I start to feel sick. She’s gorgeous and clearly his type. Together, they just look…right.
Once again, I start to feel inadequate.
No wonder he isn’t interested in me. Not when his exes look like her.
“Excuse me,” I murmur as I slide out of the booth.
Panther reaches out and grabs my hand. “Magpie.”
“Aww, how cute, he gave you a little nickname.” Ava laughs, making me feel small. Like I’m a joke.
I blink back the tears that build in my eyes. “It’s fine. I’m just going to the restroom. Finish this.”
“Take your time. We’ll be a while,” Ava purrs.
Once safely in the bathroom, I take a deep breath and try to center myself. I know I shouldn’t let her get under my skin, but sometimes I can’t help it. I guess this is what happens when you’ve never been someone’s first choice.
Ava flashes through my mind, and something nags at me. Something about her is familiar, and I don’t know why.
Did Aspen and I go to school with her? We aren’t that far in age, if not the same.
It doesn’t matter.
Panther is hers, not mine. I don’t stand a chance with him. My crush is getting out of control.
God, Aspen would tease me like crazy if she knew that her brother was consuming my thoughts.
For the first time in my life, I feel jealous, and that’s not like me.
I hate it.
I hate feeling like I have some sort of claim over him when I don’t.
This needs to stop. I need to bury these feelings.
Shaking my head, I wash my hands and head back to Panther. I expect to find Ava in my seat, only she’s nowhere to be seen.
“Our food came out quickly. I’m surprised you didn’t start eating yet,” I say as I sit down across from him.
“I was waiting for you.”
“That’s sweet, but unnecessary.”
We eat in silence, and for the first time, it’s an awkward one. I’m tense, waiting for Ava to reappear, and Panther looks like he has something on his mind.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“I’m fine. If you wanted to leave with her, you could. I’m sure one of the guys wouldn’t mind coming to pick me up.”
