Page 22 of Ruined By the Hunk

Her lips part and I see the tears welling in her eyes. “Hunter, it wasn’t just you. It was both of us. We both made a mistake.” She swallows hard, her voice trembling. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

I nod, stepping closer but not touching her yet. I can see in her eyes that she needs to get this out.

“When I was eighteen, I went on a bad date,” she begins, her voice uncertain. “It wasn’t awful in the way you might think, he didn’t physically hurt me, but he wasn’t kind either. I felt awful after. I had driven myself to meet him and cried the whole drive home. I wasn’t paying attention while driving and crying and ended up in a bad car accident. I was the only one involved, but the idea that I could have hurt someone else with my recklessness was scary.”

She takes a deep breath, her hands gripping each other like she’s holding herself together. “Ever since, I’ve avoided dating. I told myself it wasn’t worth the risk. That I’m better off alone. I know it might sound irrational, but this morning, when I realized we didn’t use protection, I felt reckless all over again. Like I haven’t learned anything. And I forgot about Splat last night. I didn’t even think about him until this morning.” Her voice cracks. “What kind of person does that? What kind of parent would I be if I can’t even remember to check on my cat?”

She’s crying now and I can’t take it anymore. I step forward, gently pulling her into my arms. She doesn’t resist, burying her face against my chest as the tears come harder.

“Alice,” I whisper, holding her tighter. “What happened doesn’t mean you're out of control or a bad person. It means you’re human. We’re all just doing the best we can. Mistakes happen. It’s how we handle them that matters.” Her hands clutch my shirt tightly as she cries against my chest. “You are loved. Do you hear me? You’re loved— by your friends, by Splat, and most of all, by me.”

She pulls back just enough to look up at me, her tear-streaked face breaking my heart. “You love me?”

“More than I’ve ever loved anyone,” I say without hesitation.

Her lips tremble, and she whispers, “I love you too.”

The words slam into me with the force of a hurricane. I pull her close and press my forehead against hers.

“You have no idea how much I needed to hear that,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.

I guide her to the couch and sit down, pulling her into my lap. She fits perfectly like she was made to be here.

“I’m sorry I ran,” she murmurs.

“We’re going to be okay. I promise.”

She nods, her fingers tracing circles on my chest. “Mistakes happen,” she whispers.

“Nothing with you will ever be a mistake, Alice.”

Alice

Splat jumps onto the couch as Hunter and I settle in, curling himself right between us like he owns the place. His tail flicks lazily against my arm and I can’t help but smile. Hunter reaches out to scratch behind Splat’s ears, grinning as the cat starts to purr like a motorboat.

“You know,” Hunter says, his tone teasing, “we owe this little guy a lot of treats.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh really? Why’s that?”

Hunter leans back, his arm casually draping along the back of the couch behind me. “Think about it. If it weren’t for his exploits outside, I wouldn’t have had an excuse to keep knocking on your door. He’s basically been matchmaking this whole time.”

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “I think you’re giving him way too much credit. He’s just a bit of a little monster.”

Hunter gives me a mock-serious look, tapping a finger to his temple. “Ah, but is he? Or is he some kind of furry little cupid, bringing two stubborn people together?”

I snort, reaching over to nudge his shoulder. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” he says with a wink. “But I’m also right.”

Splat stretches out, pressing his paws against my thigh, and I run a hand over his soft fur.

I admit, smirking. “Maybe he does deserve a treat or two for his efforts. But don’t let it go to his head.”

Hunter chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Too late. Look at him. He already knows he’s the star of the show.”

I shake my head, but I can’t deny the warmth that’s spreading through me. Sitting here, talking with Hunter like this, feels so natural.

Hunter’s arm shifts over my shoulder as he gently pulls me closer. I tilt my head back to look up at him and the soft expression on his face takes my breath away.

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