Page 81 of Panther's Magpie
Humming, I roll over and open my eyes. My smile slips when I see that I’m alone.
He’s…gone.
My stomach drops as I feel his side of the bed and see that it’s cold.
Oh god.
I’m such an idiot.
Here I am romanticizing how amazing last night was when he had no issues with leaving. How pathetic can I be?
I roll over onto my back and stare up at the ceiling, trying to fight back the tears. I’m so fucking naïve.
I need to leave.
Sitting up, I turn to get out of bed but pause when I see what’s on the nightstand. There’s a folded piece of paper, a glass of orange juice, and a dandelion.
“What in the world?” I murmur.
Most women would frown over receiving a dandelion since it’s a weed. I find it sweet, though. He wanted to do something sweet and make me smile. He worked with what he had without leaving and having to come back.
It’s the little things, and this one means so much.
Instead of reaching for the letter right away, I grab the orange juice and bring it to my lips. As I drink it, I stare at the letter that has my name scrawled on the front with messy handwriting.
Did he write me a note?
Surely it’s not a “it’s not you but me” letter, right?
After finishing the juice, I set the cup back on the nightstand and reach for the letter.
Be brave.
Taking a deep breath, I open the paper and read.
Magpie,
The last thing I wanted to do after last night was leave you in bed alone, but I had to. You looked so fucking peaceful I couldn’t bear to wake you up. I had to take off early for some club business. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I hope you’ll meet me at my place, only this time with a bag. Have a good day, baby.
See you soon, Magpie.
-Calloway
P.S. You snore, and it’s fucking adorable.
Groaning, I fall back onto the bed and cover my face.
Seriously? Couldn’t he have been nice and pretended like I don’t snore? You would think that he would know by now that women hate hearing about their flaws.
Getting out of bed, I pick up his T-shirt from last night off the floor and slip it on. Leaving the bedroom, I head to the kitchen, where I find another note on the coffee maker.
Start me.
“This man,” I murmur as I hit the button.
Once the coffee is brewed, I fill my cup and head to the couch. I sit down and cover my legs with the blanket I got. Staring out the window, I drink my coffee.
Last night was…perfect. It was everything and more.
