Page 24 of When I Found You

“What are you doing tonight for dinner?” Peyton asks, after we’ve settled in together.

“Nothing that I know of, why?”

“Would you like to come over to my dad’s place and have dinner with the two of us?”

“I’d love to. What can I bring?” I offer.

“Just your pretty little self,” he says, squeezing my hip where his hand rests against my skin.

“You sure? I don’t mind bringing something. I can bake some cookies, or cake, a pie, or brownies.”

“I guess if you want to bring some kind of dessert, who am I to tell you no. So, pick something and bring it along, if that will make you happy.”

“Any request on what I make and bring? Does your dad have a favorite dessert?”

“Nope, I’m sure anything that you make will be perfect, and Dad’s not picky.”

“What time should I come over?”

“Anytime this afternoon. I’ll plan to have the grill going around five thirty, five forty-five at the latest. My dad likes to eat early.”

“I’ll plan to arrive by five. Earlier, if I get everything done before then that I need to do today.”

We talk for a few more minutes before sleep claims both of us once again. I wake again a few hours later, still wrapped in Peyton’s arms. For only having slept in his arms for a few hours, they make me feel so protected and at home. I’ve never felt so at peace and while I can’t put my finger on why I’m feeling that way, I’m not going to overthink it at this point. Peyton has to go back home in a week, so I’m going to just enjoy the time we do have together.

I pullinto the driveway of the address Peyton gave me for his dad’s house and park behind his truck. I reach over and grab the pan of salted caramel chocolate chip cookie bars I baked this afternoon. They’re one of my guilty pleasures I love to make, but don’t often because I can’t stop myself from eating the entire pan.

I step out of my car, pan in hand, and am hit by the incredible smells floating my way from the grill out back. I make my way up to the door and ring the bell, then wait for someone to openthe door. When no one answers after a minute, I walk around the side of the house and find Peyton and his dad sitting on the back deck together.

“Hey!” I call out.

“You made it!” Peyton calls out, as he stands up and starts down the few steps to the yard to meet me. Once he’s standing in front of me, he reaches out and takes the pan from my hands and then bends to brush a kiss against my cheek. “Come, I’ll introduce you to my dad.”

He places a hand on my lower back as he escorts me to the deck and up the stairs. “Dad, I’d like to introduce you to Stacey Evans. Stacey, this is my dad, Robert.”

“So nice to meet you, sir,” I say, shaking his outstretched hand.

“No need for formalities, Stacey. Please, call me Robert. And it’s nice to meet you, as well. Anyone good enough for this guy to want to bring around for dinner is good in my book.”

“Daaaad.” Peyton groans next to me and I giggle at his reaction.

“What, son?” he asks pointedly.

“Nothing,” Peyton says, shaking his head as he walks over to the grill.

“So, tell me about yourself,” Robert says, as I take a seat next to him at the patio table. It’s set up in one of the corners of the deck that’s covered with a pergola.

“I’m a songwriter here in Nashville. I’ve been here since I graduated from college a handful of years ago. Born and raised in North Carolina, where my family still lives. I’m the only rebel that left to pursue my dreams.”

“Pursuing your dreams is important.”

“It is, and reaching so many this past year has been so amazing.”

“Peyton was telling me about your success. I think it’s great you’ve been able to accomplish so much. Takes hard work and dedication to reach the level you have. You must be proud of yourself.”

“I still pinch myself occasionally to make sure this is my real life. That I really do get to go to work each day with these incredibly talented artists, and that they’re seekingmeout to write for them. It’s still a little unreal sometimes.”

“Can I get you something to drink?” Peyton asks as he comes back over to the table from the grill.

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