Chapter November, 2027
Dear Asher,
Or should I say Hunt, since now that I know your full name, I was also able to find you. Huntswimsforyou? Cute as fuck handle. Why did you let me call you Asher if everyone calls you Hunt? Or Hunter? Was I not worthy of knowing your last name?
I appreciate you finding me, and maybe it was a little stalkerish, but nothing a public search wouldn’t give you. Congratulations on graduating! That sounds amazing. I know nothing about rescue swimmers, but I will read my heart out about it so we can chat in December.
Yes, I’m still single, and yes, I’ll be your date.
I doubt I’ll get a boyfriend in the next month or so, considering I’m writing this in November.
Truth is, your letter caught me off guard, and I slid it into my bag.
I forgot about it until it was time to clean it out.
Not that I forgot you, but there’s just been a lot going on.
I also work saving lives. Not like you, but with children. It’s been a tough year as a peds trauma nurse, and it’s been even harder to balance it all. I actually don’t know why I’m sharing all of this, but maybe you’d understand, since you have a servant heart too.
Also . . . you’re only twenty-two? You should’ve said something! I’m almost ten years older than you. Does that make me a cougar? I’m a cougar now, aren’t I?
Can I tell you a secret? I’ve been looking forward to this gala all year. I hope I do get to see you in a month or so.
Stay safe out there.
Xo,
Hales