I got him, and that is the only storyline I care about.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Hunter
Six Months Later
“Keep your eyes closed, my love,” I say as I walk Gina down the street blindfolded. She’s stumbling and giggling, and I can’t wait until we get to our final destination. I have been planning this moment for three months, and I can’t believe the time is finally here.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but this is driving me crazy,” she giggles. “Where are we going?”
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret,” I say, wanting so badly to tell her. Gina is my soul mate, and I’ve loved every second of the last six months. I often wonder what my life would look like if I’d never met her. I can’t even imagine it. Never seeing her smile or hearing her laugh. Or waking up next to her in the morning. Just being with her is my favorite activity.
“I feel so disoriented,” she says. “I’ve been blindfolded for, like, an hour already.”
“I know, and that’s because I didn’t want you to know where we were going or be able to track it.”
“Hunter.”
“Yes, darling.”
“You can be so infuriatingly annoying at times.”
“And that’s why you love me so much.”
“I guess so. By the way, did I tell you that Otis told me that I’m the best employee they’ve ever had?”
“Yes. You told me that three times, and I’m glad that you love working at the bookstore.”
“I do. It just inspires me because I’m reading all these really amazing books, and I’m writing my book, and life just feels so perfect. Though, sometimes I feel guilty because the newspaper is on its last legs and Emma is barely speaking to her family.”
“It’s that bad?”
“Sometimes I think maybe it would have been better if you’d bought it. She’s so stressed. Her parents are brothers are treating her like she doesn’t have a brain or a voice and she has no clue what’s going to happen next. They fired half the staff.” She stops suddenly. “But they kept the Jenny’s. UGH.”
“Well, if you want, I can speak to the Bonds and find out what’s going on?”
“No, Emma would hate that. To be honest, this has given her agency. She’s not willing to wait around on her family to finally see her worth. She’s going to make some moves on her own. I’m just not sure she knows what yet.”
“Well, however, I can be of help, please let me know.”
“I will.” She says softly and squeezes my hand. “I’m so lucky to have you. I wish Emma could find her a Hunter.”
“Is she looking?”
“No, but maybe I will encourage her.” She giggles. “She more than anymore deserves to find love. You know what’s crazy?” she asks suddenly changing topics.
“No. What is crazy?” I ask as we start walking again. I’m trying to keep my voice monotone as I’m starting to get a little anxious about where we’re headed to. I’m excited and can’t waitfor this next step, but I really hope that it is going to be a huge surprise for her.
“I was playing spades with your grandma and her friends, and she was saying that she knew from the first time that she met me that I was going to be in her family.”
“Oh, interesting. I didn’t know that. She’s never said that to me.”
“But I was just thinking to myself, did she really know that, or is she just saying that?”
“Why would my grandma just say that?” I ask her.
“I don’t know.”
