Page 171 of Sloane

Ashley’s beautiful script as I sat on my bunk to read felt comfortably familiar. A happy difference was sweat wasn’t dripping down my back as I scanned the pages.

Dear Sloane,

I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy.

She was switching up her intro. I liked it.

I loved reading that you’re making good progress, and that your new leg is working out! That made my little PTA heart so happy!

I have to agree with you and Ryan, but I dare to take it a step further. Not only is your daughter the most beautiful baby, but I’m also confident she’s the smartest, too. Stu is convinced she’s already starting to talk. I think that might be stretching it, although I would never tell him that and burst his bubble! LOL

“Your” daughter. She’d said your daughter. Not my daughter, or even our daughter. That had to be a good sign, right?

Of course I’ll send a picture, but just so you know, you’re welcome to visit her anytime.

Reading those words caused a feeling of relief to flood my central nervous system. She wasn’t shutting me out, I was welcome to visit Millie—anytime.

The Jeep really has been a lifesaver. But I insist on returning it when you’re driving again. No arguments!

I wasn’t taking the Jeep back, but that was a disagreement for another day.

The guys are all attending the holidays with their families, so Millie and I will be at my mom’s on Thursday. I’m glad you’ll be getting two dinners this year. You have a few to make up for, I’m sure.

If she only knew how many.

The skin graft sounds encouraging! I’ll keep you in my prayers that it goes smoothly. (See what I did there? Haha.)

Take care of yourself! I hope you continue making wonderful progress.

All my best,

Ashley

Oh, this was fucking promising. I hadn’t felt this hopeful in almost a year, when she’d agreed to come to Miramar and welcome me home with my friends.

I needed to write her back, before today’s mail went out.

****

Ashley

Two days later, my heart skipped a beat when I received another letter from Sloane.

I remembered that giddy feeling all too well.

Maybe the man I fell in love with really did exist. Or at the very least, we could become friends and co-parent our daughter.

I wasn’t greedy. If that’s all that became of our letters, I would be happy with that.

That’s what I told myself, anyway.

Then over the next few weeks, we started sending letters like old times, although not daily. Frankly, I didn’t have time to write him every day. But it was three times a week, and our exchanges were fun, bordering on flirty, but never crossing the line. Plus, he wanted to know more about Millie, I really loved telling him about our child.

On a Thursday evening, my phone dinged with an incoming text.

Sloane: One year ago today, I kissed you for the first time. Is it inappropriate to say Happy Anniversary?

I glanced at the date on my Fitbit and realized he was right. It’d been a year since I met him in person. Tomorrow would mark a possible conception date for Millie.

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