Dear Rosie

Rosie

I was eight when Nathan moved away.

He was my best friend.

My only friend.

My safe space.

And then he was gone. And my existence became hell.

But I survived.

I broke free and made a life for myself.

And I tried to forget about the boy who grew up to be Nate Waller, the famous retired football player.

I really did try to forget.

But then I opened the door while working at a client’s house, and he was there, standing before me.

My old friend.

My unwitting confidant.

My Nathan.

Except… he doesn’t recognize me.

Nate

The curvy little redhead captured my attention the second I saw her.

And I knew I needed to have her.

Needed to know her better.

Needed to get my hands on her.

But when I did…

When she moaned my name—my full name—it all came rushing back.

Twenty-five years had passed, but in that moment, I finally recognized her.

My Rosie.

My childhood friend.

I may have forgotten about her, but I remember now.

And this time, I’m not letting her go.