Page 22 of Peyton

I enjoyed my talk with Mr. Benson. When I arrived home I reheated leftovers for lunch before changing into my black shorts and work t-shirt. Then I called the Boston Public Library. Waiting was not going to change the outcome of my future.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay and help you close?” Amanda asked for the hundredth time.

“Get out of here before I chase you off with the broom,” I threatened. I appreciated the wonderful job Amanda and Ryan did. But it was time for the eighteen-year-olds to hit the beach with their friends and have a little fun. It wasn’t that long ago that I was a teenager on the cusp of adulthood. They would have enough responsibility thrown at them without me adding mine into the mix.

My morning began with heartache and indecision. I’d let my insecurities get the better of me. I was not going to repeat that mistake. As soon as I locked Catherine’s Sweet Treats, I headed to the Shake Shack. I sped my pace as I noticed Peyton turning the lock on his door.

“Hey,” I called, capturing his attention.

“Hey yourself,” Peyton responded. “I stopped in this morning but Amanda told me you had some business to take care of,” he added with a smile.

It was good to see Peyton was not upset with me over the events of last night. “Would you like to go for a coffee?” I asked before biting my lip nervously.

Peyton widened his stance and crossed his arms. “Why, Chloe Wainwright, are you asking me on a date?” He smirked.

“Yes, Peyton,” I confirmed confidently. “I am asking you on a date.” I had never asked anyone on a date before. That was my intention yesterday before I walked in on Peyton and Nancy. I spent the morning wallowing in self-pity. The trip to the bookstore opened my eyes to all the things I would be missing if I didn’t step up and take what I wanted.

Peyton reached for my hand, and I graciously accepted. “I would love to go on a date with you,” he squeezed my hand.

“Athena’s?” he asked.

“Nope, I have a better idea,” I boasted as I gave Peyton a cheeky wink. “This time, it’s my turn to drive,” I insisted.

I could see the confusion in Peyton’s eyes as I parked in front of J & B Books. I hopped out of the driver’s seat and raced to the passenger door to open it before Peyton could react. “If you had invited me, would you not have opened my door and helped me out,” I asked innocently.

“Okay, I’ll let you take the lead, for now,” Peyton conceded.

I dragged him into the bookstore and led him to the sofa at the back. I gave him a gentle push, causing him to sink into the sofa leather, then I handed him the book I’d started when I came in this morning. “How do you like your coffee?” I asked.

“Black,” he answered, still unsure of the sudden dominance in my attitude.

“Wait right here,” I pointed to where he was sitting, “and I’ll be right back.” I sauntered away knowing Peyton was staring at my ass.

“This looks interesting,” Peyton remarked at the book I had handed him. He was reading the synopsis on the back cover when I returned with our coffees. I sat beside him on the couch.

“I’m sorry about last night,” I started. “I think I panicked when you talked about feelings. I shouldn’t have questioned your morals, Peyton. As foolish as this may sound, I might be falling for you,” I admitted. “I know it’s only been a couple of days, but it’s also been a lifetime,” I added.

Peyton nodded. He understood what I was trying to convey. We’d been on the periphery of each other’s lives since we were kids. I reached into my handbag and pulled out a handmade card. “I was going through some old photos Aunt Catherine kept under her bed. I found this,” I handed the card to Peyton.

His low sexy laugh sent shivers down my spine. “I made this for you on Valentine’s Day, fourth grade. I can’t believe you’ve kept it.”

“It was the only one I received that day. You put it in my backpack. I found it after I got home from school.” A tear escaped as I told Peyton the events that took place that day. Nancy said I was too ugly to receive any Valentine cards, which was why my box was empty. It wasn’t until the end of the day that one of Nancy’s minions taunted me. She called me stupid because I didn’t figure out that every time someone put a card in my box, Nancy removed it.

“I wish I could turn back time and right all the wrongs Nancy had done to you,” Peyton growled.

“I don’t want to turn back time, Peyton, I want to move forward. Nancy can’t hurt me anymore,” I confessed. I took a second to put my thoughts together before continuing. “Last night, were you asking me to be your girlfriend?”

“Yes. At least, I was trying to before everything got fucked up.” He sighed at the memory of last night’s conversation. Peyton put his coffee down and reached for my hand. “I would like us to get to know each other and see if what we are feeling is more than a physical attraction.” Peyton shuffled closer. He palmed my face and placed a chaste kiss on my forehead. “I’d like to spend as much time with you as I can before you leave. Boston is not far,” he continued. “I know we will both be busy with our new positions, but I swear I’ll make time for you, Chloe. I will make time for us,” Peyton declared with a certainty that made me believe he would follow through.

My heart skipped a beat. “I want that as well.”

“Chloe, you’re not here to give me my eviction notice already, are you?” Mr. Benson interrupted. “Janice hasn’t called back.”

“Why would you evict Mr. Benson?” Peyton emphasized the ‘you.’

“Because I bought the bookstore,” I announced gleefully.

“You bought the bookstore?” Peyton turned to Mr. Benson, “I thought I had until the end of the summer to move?”

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