CHAPTER FIVE
WYATT
A laugh bursts free at the two stickers that fall into my lap. The awkward avocado is cute, but it's the seed strutting through a doorway graphic that gets me. Smiling, I carefully place them back in the envelope and unfold my letter from Kennedy.
I'd hoped.
I'd prayed.
But I didn't really expect to receive a reply from her.
Yet when I handed a letter to Chris—decked out in more fruit and vegetable pun stickers—I found another decorated letter addressed to me. My fingers itched to tear it open immediately, but first, I had to wait for Dugan to abandon his message, save it from the trash, and then retreat for privacy.
Dugan's letter listed more upcoming events in Suitor’s Crossing, and the full social calendar for one small town amazed me. Made me yearn for something I've never had. Like fall festivals and community dances.
Then it was time for my letter.
I can’t help but notice that her words seemed more formal with Chris—focused on facts rather than sharing more about herself—compared to mine, and it causes a moment of happiness before the reason why becomes obvious.
She’s worried Dugan uses her letters to entertain the guys.
My stomach plummets, tying itself in knots.
No wonder she kept his letter impersonal. She doesn't want anyone else to read her words, yet I'm snatching them for myself. Invading her privacy.
It’s a sickening feeling. One that slicks my gut and causes sweat to dot my forehead.
“Shit,” I whisper, stuck in indecision.
I can't stop rescuing her letters from the incinerator, and I can’t tell her why they need saving in the first place—because Chris the Jackass throws them in the garbage. So, what the fuck am I going to do?
Save them, but don’t read them.
I don’t like that option either.
***
Dear Kennedy,
No, Chris doesn't share your letters. I'm sorry for upsetting you with the possibility. He mentioned the wedding in passing, and I stupidly thought I'd send an encouraging word.
Feel free to ramble as much as you want, though I don't want you to feel nervous. As a city boy, the insight into small-town living is a breath of fresh air, especially in this sand pit.
Let's not be strangers…
Name: Wyatt Lincoln
Age: 38
Birthday: August 5
Favorite Movie: Tremors
Favorite Book: ACOTAR—that acronym is a test by the way ;)
Random Fact: I'm an origami master.
Yours,
Wyatt
P.S. I love the stickers. Are you a teacher, too, with this stash?
***
Wyatt,
OMG, that makes me feel better! Sorry I freaked out on you, especially over nothing. It's totally understandable that Chris made an offhand comment.
Suitor's Crossing is the epitome of small towns. I was born and raised here, so I might be biased. ;)
Maybe you can visit one day!
Tremors is a throwback. I remember watching as a kid and being scared, but now that I'm older, giant underground worms are kind of… No, they're still scary LOL.
So, romantasy sunk its teeth in you, too, huh? I think I heard they're making a movie or something based on that series.
An origami master? I'm intrigued. What can you make?
Alright, let's be friends…
Name: Kennedy Caldwell
Age: 31
Birthday: March 17
Favorite Movie: Austenland
Favorite Book: TDWKTM (You're not gonna guess this, but I had to do an acronym, too!)
Random Fact: I can list all 50 states in alphabetical order.
Please be careful in that ‘sand pit’,
Kennedy
P.S. Nope, not a teacher! I just love stickers, so I'm a bit of a collector/hoarder.
***
Kennedy,
*Adding a visit to Suitor’s Crossing to my bucket list. Any suggestions for what a tourist should see?
Hmm… I'm sensing we may have different tastes in entertainment. And as hard as I tried, I couldn't break the code of your favorite book. I'm officially stumped.
My origami specialty is a classic—the swan. An art teacher taught us in class one day, and I was hooked. I checked out an origami book from the library to memorize all the ways I could fold squares of paper into animals, flowers, you name it.
There are worse things you could hoard… Toenails, teeth, used bandaids… Stickers seem like a wise choice when you think about it.
Yours,
Wyatt
P.S. In case you don't hear from me, my number is below, if you want to text. No pressure! I just don't want you to worry if a letter gets lost in the mail and weeks go by in radio silence.