Page 140 of The Playboy

The emotion was already there—in my chest, in my eyes. But as his words sank into my body, those feelings came on even harder.

Our journey hadn’t been overly long, but it felt like a battle. From where we’d started, back when I was dancing on a stage at the club, to now, where I was melting from his last statement.

“That’s all I want.” I knew he was busy. I could hear it from the way he was breathing, as though he was sprinting around the hotel, and the talking in the background that I assumed was directed at him, so I said, “I’ll text you in the morning.”

“You’d better.”

My eyes closed. “Have a good night, Macon.”

I waited for him to say good-bye, and I hung up.

* * *

Me

So … weird comment, but hear me out. I just finished a deep clean on your room, and the more I scrubbed, the less it smelled like you. Now, I’m looking around your suite, and all your stuff is gone. It’s like you’ve vanished. And I know this is going to make no sense, but seeing you gone makes me sad.

Aaaand I know it’s fucked up to say this, and I don’t want you to take it the wrong way, given everything that’s recently happened, but it was kinda nice to go into your room during my shifts to tidy up. I don’t know … it made me feel closer to you. To know you were there even though you weren’t there, just your things were, and I could smell you every time I took a breath. I loved that.

Macon

Sounds like you miss me.

Me

I do.

Macon

And I love that—but I’m not gone, Brooklyn. I’m just down the street in our new hotel, and you’re going to spend the night with me tomorrow. Believe me, baby, I’m counting down the hours.

Me

Me too. I can’t wait.

Macon

BTW, I didn’t take it the wrong way. I know exactly what you mean. Maybe in some strange way, it allowed you to get to know me more and brought us closer.

Me

I think it did.

I’m off to take my first final.

Macon

Kill it. Text me when you’re done.

* * *

Me

Done.

One down, two to go. I can’t believe in just a few more days, I’ll be completely finished with school, and in one week, I’ll be graduating, and the Spade Hotel will be open.

We have a lot to celebrate.

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