Page 175 of Altered

I spent most of my life loving Jordan Porter, and a part of me always would.

Knowing he was truly okay meant so much to me.

"I, uh, met someone," he continued to say, chuckling almost nervously. "Someone nice…I think."

"Really?"

"Yeah," he confirmed. "It's still early days, but I'm talking now. Giving her total disclosure."

I wasn’t sure how hearing Jordan telling me he'd met someone else would make me feel.

I knew there was a time when it would have crushed me, but now?

I felt…indifference?

Relief that a long, distant relation was succeeding in life?

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I was certain it wasn’t the way a normal ex-wife would feel when her ex-husband told her that he was moving on.

I guess that's because we were never reallyhusband and wife.

We had been childhood sweethearts playing house and chasing a memory.

It was bittersweet.

And it was over.

"Well, I hope it all works out for you," I told him, meaning every word. "You deserve to be happy."

"Yeah, so do you, Hope." There was another long pause and then his voice came down the line, "I have to go, Hope. It's past Ryder's bedtime and I need to get him settled with a story."

"Well, thanks for calling," I replied. "I appreciate it."

"Take care of yourself, Hope Carter," Jordan replied.

And then the line went dead.

The final page in our book closed forever.

"All good, HC?" Hunter asked, tone gruff, as he rocked our baby daughter in his arms.

I turned to look at him and smiled. "All good."

Hunter stood up achingly slowly and walked over to the clear basinet with Abigail fast asleep in his arms.

With more care than a person would use when removing a bomb, Hunter placed Abigail into the basinet, then straightened, looking mighty pleased with himself for successfully laying his daughter down to sleep.

Unable to stop myself, I openly ogled him from the top of his now short blond hair to the tips of his scuffed, black boots, and honest to god, the only thought I had in this moment was;what a man.

The lyrics of En Vogue's classicWhatta Manpopped into my mind then and I shook my head, laughing quietly to myself.

"Something funny?" he asked, smirking, as he quietly crept over to my bed and sank down beside me, kicking his feet up on the bed alongside mine.

"Nothing," I replied, sighing in contentment as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side. "I just love you so much." I bit down on my lip and smiled. "You are by far my best decision, Hunter Casarazzi."

"Right back atcha Hope Carter."

Closing my eyes, I snuggled into his body and absorbed everything about this moment.

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