To: Dante Reid
Dear Dirty Dante,
Jesus. It’s what I have to call you now after that. Yeah, I’m moving to school in a couple weeks. I know you won’t be able to email much, but I’ll just reread your dirty emails.
They make me smile.
And breathe fast.
My brothers will freak out if you say a word and then they will hound me until you get back. Let’s just tell them all when you’re here. That way, they might be on their best behavior if we tell them in front of our parents or something. I don’t know.
Or we don’t have to tell anyone because this doesn’t have to be what you want. It’s okay that we had a fun couple weeks sneaking around, you know? I kind of tricked you into everything, and I don’t want you to feel like… I don’t know. I’m just letting you know there’s no obligations here. I appreciate you being amazing and don’t want you to feel the need to keep this going just to save family dynamics or anything.
I’m not saying you’re not being genuine, but you’ve never had a serious girlfriend, have you? Maybe you just never told me. Actually, don’t tell me now. I’ll get jealous. So many times while growing up I looked at you like you were freaking Superman, and every time I saw you with a Superwoman, I cried in my bed. I could get the best grades and do well in all my sports, but there was no way I was competing with some of the women you hooked up with.
I almost didn’t come take care of the lambs and horses one summer because I knew you were going to have Willow over and she was freaking gorgeous. I’m pretty sure you taught her to ride one of your mom’s horses that summer. I would cry in the stables about it.
How embarrassing. For her. Since I have you now.
Even so, I like to think I had a piece of you back then too. You still came to sit with me when a lamb needed a feeding and I loved that. Thanks for being there for me always. Thanks for being there for me now, even when you’re not.
Let’s see how it goes, but you can always come visit.
You know my number.
I breathed and counted to seven. Still miss you,
Lilah
* * *
Two Months Later
From: Dante Reid
To: Delilah Hardy
I only got a second, Lilah.
Damn it’s been a long time. I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to write. I hope moving to UCLA went well.
You always had a piece of me, Lilah. You were my lamb, always will be. I’m sorry I can’t write more, but you got all of me now.
Don’t forget it.
Seven to heaven, baby.
Dante
* * *
From: Delilah Hardy
To: Dante Reid
Moving in was great. UCLA is beautiful. I know you’re probably so busy. Don’t worry about it. I’ve been busy too, and it’s hard to get a moment to email. Let’s just catch up when you get back. Hope you’re well,
Lilah