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The Missed Call
The rain had stopped just before sunset, leaving the streets washed clean and the air smelling fresh. From my apartment window, I watched the city lights flicker on one by one, little bursts of warmth in the darkening evening.
Normally, this was my favorite time of day — the moment Liam would come home, loosen his tie, and wrap his arms around me from behind while I cooked dinner.
But tonight, the apartment felt… too quiet.
My phone buzzed on the kitchen counter. I rushed over, already smiling when I saw his name.
Liam: Flight’s delayed. Might not make it home until tomorrow morning.
I read the message twice. It wasn’t the end of the world — he was only gone for one night. One. But the sudden emptiness in my chest was ridiculous.
I typed back: It’s fine. Focus on work. I’ll be okay.
A lie.
Because the truth was, I wasn’t okay. I liked hearing him breathing softly beside me when I fell asleep. I liked how he’d pull me close, even in his sleep, like his body knew I belonged there. And now… tonight, I’d have to fall asleep alone.
---
I tried distracting myself. I poured a glass of wine, curled up on the couch, and put on my favorite drama. But I kept glancing at the empty space next to me, waiting for his low chuckle or the way he’d nudge me whenever a scene got too dramatic.
By the time the credits rolled, the silence was louder than the TV ever was.
---
At nine, I called him. The call rang and rang until it went to voicemail.
“Hey,” I said, my voice softer than I meant it to be. “I know you’re probably busy… I just wanted to hear your voice. Call me when you can, okay?”
I hung up quickly, my cheeks warm for no reason. Why was I acting like a lovesick teenager? We lived together. He’d be back tomorrow. And yet…
I found myself wandering into our bedroom. His shirt from yesterday was still draped over the chair. I picked it up, pressing it to my face. It smelled like him — clean cologne with a hint of coffee. My chest tightened.
It was going to be a long night.
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The Restless Hours
The clock ticked past midnight, but sleep didn’t come. I tossed, turned, hugged the pillow… nothing felt right without Liam there.
Finally, I gave up and padded to the kitchen. I made chamomile tea, hoping it would calm my restless heart, but the steam rising from the cup only reminded me of the warmth of his breath when he whispered goodnight.
I leaned on the counter, phone in hand, staring at our last picture together — his arm around me, my head tucked under his chin, both of us grinning like we’d found the whole world in each other.
God, I missed him.
---
I didn’t hear the door at first. It wasn’t until a sudden creak in the hallway made me turn, my heart skipping.
And there he was.
Liam stood there in his travel jacket, hair slightly messy from the wind, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. His smile was tired but warm.
“You weren’t supposed to be here until morning,” I breathed.
“Couldn’t stand the thought of you spending the night alone,” he said simply, setting the bag down. “I caught an earlier connection. Ran the whole way from the station.”
My heart… oh, my poor heart.
I crossed the room in seconds, and he caught me, pulling me against him so tightly I could feel his heartbeat pounding as fast as mine.
“You’re warm,” I murmured against his chest.
“I should be,” he teased. “I’ve been imagining this hug for hours.”
---
We stood there for a long moment, not moving, not speaking. Just breathing each other in. Then he tipped my chin up, eyes soft in the dim kitchen light.
“I missed you,” he said.
And something about the way he looked at me — tired, a little messy, but so full of love — made my cheeks flush hot.
“I missed you too,” I whispered, smiling despite myself.
---
He kissed me then — slow, lingering, the kind that makes you forget the world outside even exists. My fingers curled into his shirt, holding him close, because right now, there was nowhere else I wanted to be.
When we finally pulled apart, I couldn’t stop the shy laugh that bubbled out.
“Next time,” I murmured, “don’t ever leave me for the night.”
“Deal,” he said, grinning. “Because I’ll always want to come back to you.”
---
That night, we fell asleep tangled together, my head resting on his chest, his hand in my hair. And for the first time in hours, everything felt right again.
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The End 💖
