Cold.
No dent in the mattress.
No warm skin.
Just me.
I groan, rolling over into his pillow and dragging it to my face. I breathe him in—cedar, soap, and pepper.
I’ll never smell pepper again without thinking about him.
I open my eyes, and that’s when I see a note wedged under my hand and the pillow.
I wait until my morning vision clears.
Had a class. Didn’t want to wake you. You were so beautiful and peaceful. I left you a surprise in the kitchen. Xoxo Cash.
My chest does a stupid little flip.
It takes me a second to find my pajama shirt and shorts. I tug them on and wander through the time capsule.
The clock on the wall reads just past eight. Too early for whatever time we finally fell asleep last night.
I glance at the stairs. If the door didn’t lead to the kitchen where the class was taking place, I’d slip upstairs, change, and join them.
Unfortunately, that’s not an option for me.
I lift the lid off the tray on the dining room table, and underneath is the cinnamon bun from last night. Sticky glaze catches the light.
I laugh, folding my leg under me as I sit on the chair. I rip the edge off and take a bite. A low hum escapes me as the cinnamon melts on my tongue.
“You’re so good.” I tear off another piece.
Another note waits by the plate.
Enjoy breakfast. Brought your suitcase. I’ll get you when the coast’s clear. Also brought your cell phone.
My suitcase sits in the hallway. I hadn’t even noticed it. And I pick up my cell phone. The screen lights up with missed calls and texts from Tess.
“Shit.” I call her, and she answers on the first ring.
“You'd better be dead or lying in Cash Can Cook's bed naked and fully pleasured.”
“It’s not the first.”
There’s a pause, then Tess shrieks in my ear.
“Are you messing with me? Did you sleep with him? Tell me the truth. Don’t play me like this. Be honest. Did you sleep with Cash Can Cook?”
“His name is Cash.”
“But did you sleep with him?”
“We did a lot more than sleep.”
She screams so loud that I have to pull the phone from my ear.
“Holy shit! I think I’m jealous. I am. I am jealous. Is he there? Is he naked? Rate him on a scale of one to ten.”
