Page 25 of When I Found You

“Sure, what do you have?”

“Beer, water, lemonade, there might be a few pops in there.”

“A glass of lemonade sounds perfect for now,” I tell him before he disappears inside the house.

“I’ve never seen my boy so smitten with someone as he is with you,” Robert muses, once Peyton is inside and out of earshot.

“Yeah,” I concur, not knowing really how to address what this is between the two of us. We just met two days ago, yet it feels like we’ve known each other forever. I dread next weekend with him having to leave again. I know he’ll only be just over an hour away from here, but still, it’s not really feasible for one of us to be driving back and forth to see each other. Hell, I don’t even know if that’s something he wants to happen. He might be perfectly happy with a week-long fling and be done with me when he leaves next weekend. “It’s crazy how quickly we’ve connected. I can’t even describe it.”

“Oh, I can, sweetheart. It’s call fate. That boy of mine has shunned relationships practically his entire life. His mother walking out on us when he was young really did a number on him. Then, the one time he tried his hand at a relationship, and the girl he was dating did a number on him, as well. Ever since that, he’s stuck to his guns that he wouldn’t even considera relationship, and now here he is, bringing you home to meet me after two days. Theonlygirl he’severbrought home to meet me, mind you. No one in high school, no one since he’s joined the military.No one.You can’t tell me that fate didn’t have something to do with the two of you meeting the other night.”

I’m a little tongue-tied at Robert’s frankness. I knew Peyton had his reservations about relationships, but to know that I’m theonlygirl he’s ever brought home to meet his dad floors me. I figured there’d have been girls in high school, but the way it’s sounding, that’s not the case. I sit back in my seat and let Robert’s words sink in.

“Here’s your lemonade,” Peyton says, “and a fresh glass of water for you, Pops.”

“Thank you,” I tell him, flashing him a small smile as he takes the seat next to me.

“Welcome, and your dessert looks amazing. I snuck a peek at it when I was inside. Took all my self-control to not try a piece now.”

“Tsk tsk, you don’t want to ruin your meal now,” I tease him.

“Never.” He chuckles. “The food should be done any minute. I’ve got steaks, and some veggies and potatoes almost done on the grill,” he tells me, taking a drink from his own glass.

“It smells wonderful. The aroma hit me when I got out of my car and my stomach started growling immediately.”

Peyton leans over and kisses my cheek once more before he stands up and heads over to the grill that’s situated across the deck, out in the uncovered part.

“As I said, he’s smitten,” Robert says, low enough that only I can hear him. I do my best to hide my smile but can feel it cresting my lips as I watch Peyton’s every move. He places the food on a platter and then brings it all over to the table. I help pass out the plates and utensils that are piled in the center of the table before we all fill up our plates.

We fall into a comfortable conversation while we eat, enjoying the meal Peyton prepared. It’s a perfect fall evening. The weather is just right—not hot and not cold enough to drive us inside until after the sun sets.

Chapter Nine

PEYTON

I grabthe stack of plates and carry them inside, setting them down in the kitchen sink before going back out for the grill tools.

“What can I help you with?” Stacey asks from the chair where she’s still sitting, talking with my dad.

“Nothing, you keep your pretty little self right where you are and just relax. I’ve got everything covered.”

I’ve been watching how well she’s gotten along with my dad tonight and they’ve interacted as if they’ve known each other forever. She has me feeling things Ineverthought I’d feel toward a woman. But hell, here I am, introducing her to my dad just two days after meeting her. Asking her to come to dinner tonight was like second nature. I knew I wanted to spend more time with her and doing that with my dad just felt natural. Having them together just felt right.

“I think I’m going to turn in,” I hear my dad tell Stacey. “It was so nice to meet you and I hope to see you around again.”

“You too, Robert, and thank you for having me over.”

“Anytime, dear, anytime,” he tells her before making his way inside, and he stops in the kitchen. “I’m off to watch some TV in bed and call it a night. I might finally be kicking this infection, but I’m feeling quite tired all of a sudden.”

“Good night, Dad. Holler if you need anything.”

“Night, son,” he says, walking out of the kitchen and down the hall toward his bedroom. I turn around and Stacey is now standing by the counter, watching me and my dad.

“Let me help,” she says, coming to stand next to me at the sink.

“No need, I’ve got everything loaded into the dishwasher already.” I lean down and close the door, hitting the power button before shutting the door all the way. “Want to sit out on the deck or curl up on the couch?”

“Can we sit out on the swing?”

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