11. Hunter
Chapter 11
Hunter
I stand at the base of Alice’s porch steps, heart pounding like a hammer in my chest. Bridget and Effie just left. This is my chance. No more overthinking. No more waiting. I need to fix this now.
I take the stairs two at a time and knock on her door before I can talk myself out of it. My palms are sweaty. I wipe them on my jeans.
Come on, Alice. Please open the door.
The sound of the lock turning feels like a miracle. The door creaks open, and there she is —my Alice. Her shy smile melts something deep inside me.
“Hunter,” she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Alice,” I breathe.
At the same time, we both blurt out, “I’m sorry.”
We stop, blinking at each other, and then I chuckle. “Can I go first?”
She nods, biting her bottom lip. It’s all I can do not to lean down and kiss her, but I need to say this first.
“I’m sorry,” I start, my voice thick. “I didn’t protect you. I should’ve been more careful and more responsible. It wasn’t fair to you and it wasn’t fair to us. Alice, I’ve been head over heels for you since the day we met. The thought that I might’ve made you feel unsafe —or that I put you in a position you weren’t okay with— it kills me.”
Her eyes widen, and I take a shaky breath before continuing. “I promise, from now on, I’ll always protect you. Always. You mean too much to me to do anything less.”
Her lips part and I see the tears welling in her eyes. “Hunter, it wasn’t just you. It was both of us. We both made a mistake.” She swallows hard, her voice trembling. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
I nod, stepping closer but not touching her yet. I can see in her eyes that she needs to get this out.
“When I was eighteen, I went on a bad date,” she begins, her voice uncertain. “It wasn’t awful in the way you might think, he didn’t physically hurt me, but he wasn’t kind either. I felt awful after. I had driven myself to meet him and cried the whole drive home. I wasn’t paying attention while driving and crying and ended up in a bad car accident. I was the only one involved, but the idea that I could have hurt someone else with my recklessness was scary.”
She takes a deep breath, her hands gripping each other like she’s holding herself together. “Ever since, I’ve avoided dating. I told myself it wasn’t worth the risk. That I’m better off alone. I know it might sound irrational, but this morning, when I realized we didn’t use protection, I felt reckless all over again. Like I haven’t learned anything. And I forgot about Splat last night. I didn’t even think about him until this morning.” Her voice cracks. “What kind of person does that? What kind of parent would I be if I can’t even remember to check on my cat?”
She’s crying now and I can’t take it anymore. I step forward, gently pulling her into my arms. She doesn’t resist, burying her face against my chest as the tears come harder.
“Alice,” I whisper, holding her tighter. “What happened doesn’t mean you're out of control or a bad person. It means you’re human. We’re all just doing the best we can. Mistakes happen. It’s how we handle them that matters.” Her hands clutch my shirt tightly as she cries against my chest. “You are loved. Do you hear me? You’re loved— by your friends, by Splat, and most of all, by me.”
She pulls back just enough to look up at me, her tear-streaked face breaking my heart. “You love me?”
“More than I’ve ever loved anyone,” I say without hesitation.
Her lips tremble, and she whispers, “I love you too.”
The words slam into me with the force of a hurricane. I pull her close and press my forehead against hers.
“You have no idea how much I needed to hear that,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.
I guide her to the couch and sit down, pulling her into my lap. She fits perfectly like she was made to be here.
“I’m sorry I ran,” she murmurs.
“We’re going to be okay. I promise.”
She nods, her fingers tracing circles on my chest. “Mistakes happen,” she whispers.
“Nothing with you will ever be a mistake, Alice.”
Alice
Splat jumps onto the couch as Hunter and I settle in, curling himself right between us like he owns the place. His tail flicks lazily against my arm and I can’t help but smile. Hunter reaches out to scratch behind Splat’s ears, grinning as the cat starts to purr like a motorboat.
“You know,” Hunter says, his tone teasing, “we owe this little guy a lot of treats.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Oh really? Why’s that?”
Hunter leans back, his arm casually draping along the back of the couch behind me. “Think about it. If it weren’t for his exploits outside, I wouldn’t have had an excuse to keep knocking on your door. He’s basically been matchmaking this whole time.”
I laugh softly, shaking my head. “I think you’re giving him way too much credit. He’s just a bit of a little monster.”
Hunter gives me a mock-serious look, tapping a finger to his temple. “Ah, but is he? Or is he some kind of furry little cupid, bringing two stubborn people together?”
I snort, reaching over to nudge his shoulder. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Maybe,” he says with a wink. “But I’m also right.”
Splat stretches out, pressing his paws against my thigh, and I run a hand over his soft fur.
I admit, smirking. “Maybe he does deserve a treat or two for his efforts. But don’t let it go to his head.”
Hunter chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Too late. Look at him. He already knows he’s the star of the show.”
I shake my head, but I can’t deny the warmth that’s spreading through me. Sitting here, talking with Hunter like this, feels so natural.
Hunter’s arm shifts over my shoulder as he gently pulls me closer. I tilt my head back to look up at him and the soft expression on his face takes my breath away.
“I’ve been thinking about our future,” he says, his voice quieter now.
My stomach flips, and I bite my bottom lip. “You have?
He nods, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Yeah. I know it’s early, and I don’t want to scare you, but I want this. I want us. I want a life with you.”
The lump in my throat is impossible to ignore. “Hunter,” I whisper, my voice shaky.
“I know you’re scared, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here for you every step of the way. Whatever you need from me— I’m all in.”
I close my eyes for a moment, letting his words sink in. When I open them again, I see nothing but sincerity in his gaze. “I want this too,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “It terrifies me, but I want it. I want you.”
His smile is slow and breathtaking. He leans down to press a soft kiss on my lips. “Then that’s all I need to hear.”
We sit like that for a long time, talking about everything and nothing. About his dreams for running his clinic, my plans for the school library, Sunday dinners with his family, and shared responsibilities.
For the first time, I let myself imagine a future that isn’t just me and Splat. A future with Hunter. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once, but it’s also undeniably right.