Page 6 of Peyton

CHAPTER6

Peyton

I watched Chloe’s luscious ass as she turned on her heels and left my Shake Shack. Her modest black shorts did nothing to hide the curves of her hips as they swayed. I noticed her pink t-shirt with the Catherine’s Sweet Treats logo stamped across her ample tits.

After willing my dick to settle down, I quickly surveyed my stock. I was confused over her accusations.

The grand opening weekend on the boardwalk brought out the locals. It was too early in the spring for the tourists. Many were families who returned once the school year ended. Some would come to open and air out their homes. Others rely on a management agency for the upkeep of their mansions.

My cell pinged with a notification.

Thinking it was Monica checking on me, I pulled it out of my pocket.

A tag from Catherine’s Sweet Treats appeared on the town’s tourist account. I snickered at Chloe’s attempts to sway people away from my establishment. I thought about my response before typing my reply. I made sure to tag Catherine’s Sweet Treats.

You catch more bees with sugar than vinegar. Maybe a little sugar is exactly what the doctor ordered. #Shake Shack or Sugar Shack. Come in and discover for yourself.

I slipped my phone into the side pocket of my board shorts and headed out. I wasn’t going to miss the mayor’s speech. Or the opportunity to see the beauty which, for some reason, believed I’d wronged her, again.

“Hey Peyton,” I looked back to see my best friend since I was four years old skipping towards me. “I came to support your new business adventure. I’m going to be your first customer,” Monica proudly announced.

“I’m headed to the opening ceremonies.” I nodded my head in the direction of the gathering crowd.

“Why aren’t the twins here to help you? I would have thought they’d be chomping at the bit for a chance to hit on all the hotties.” Monica smirked. She looped her arm around mine and escorted me to the end of the boardwalk.

My close friendship with Monica had been a point of contention with Nancy. She’d often accused us of being more than friends. But no matter how many times I assured Nancy that Monica was more likely to hit on her and not me, it never stuck.

Monica wasn’t wrong. My brothers had both volunteered to help me at Shake Shack. I would have appreciated the help. But I would have gone broke my first day. Knowing Niko and Thom, they would have given away more than they sold. Anything to get attention from the bikini-clad women that hung out at the beach. They were more of a handful at seventeen than I was.

As I approached the gate at the beginning of the boardwalk, I scanned the podium for Chloe. She was standing with the other entrepreneurs. Guess I was the last to arrive. Chloe’s head was down, concentrating on her cell.

My cell pinged. I took a peek at my screen. The message made me chuckle.

You catch more bees with honey, not sugar. #ShakeShack#SugarShack.

I was pleased to see that Chloe was, at long last, paying me attention. I wasn’t even upset it was all for the wrong reasons. I took a spot at the opposite end of the line from Chloe. Monica weaved her way to the front of the crowd. The locals had gathered to hear the mayor give her annual speech.

I wasn’t a bystander, standing in the crowd with my family. I gazed over the audience and spotted my mom, dad, the twins, and sisters smiling proudly. My family hadn’t lost faith in me since my accident. They were here today to show their support for my summer adventure. There was no pressure to get my life together and start my career immediately after graduating.

It was a complaint I’d heard while at school. Many of my classmate’s parents expected their children to be ready for adulting when a diploma was placed into their hands.

I smiled, knowing that no matter how many times I fell, my family would always be there to catch me. That was something my mom had with Uncle Charlie.

I looked down the line at the girl from my past. She had become a stunning woman in my absence. How close was she to her parents, the world travelers? With her aunt’s passing, I wonder if Chloe had the kind of family support I often took for granted.

Was this little Twitter war amusing to Chloe, or would it be one more reason for her to avoid me? What were Chloe Wainwright’s plans beyond running Catherine’s Sweet Treats?

Was I ready to resurrect my crush on a girl known for her disappearing act?

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