Dear, Rosie — S.J. Tilly

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 life turned into 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.