Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
I don’t hear anything back from him after that, so I continue with cleanup and then sit down at my desk to schedule social media posts for the beginning of the week, highlighting the businesses we partnered with for the event over the weekend and the ones we’re working with for this coming week. This is one part of my job that hasn’t changed, and I’m grateful for that. I enjoy setting up mini-photoshoots and coming up with new, creative ways to showcase the businesses who help make our events so special.
I’m in the middle of programming Tuesday’s posts when there’s a knock on my office door. “Come in!” I call out.
I’m not expecting anyone, but sometimes people driving by will pop in and ask for a tour. So I’m surprised when Gavin steps into the office.
I glance past him, expecting Peyton to be his shadow, but he’s alone. “Hey, sorry for the surprise visit, but, I uh … wanted to talk.”
“Talk?” Suddenly my heart is in my throat. And for a moment I wonder if this is how Chad felt on Friday night when I broke up with him.
I feel awful all over again, because the sudden roll in my stomach is a lot to handle.
He glances around the office. “Are we alone?”
I nod, and resist the urge to scratch my wrist. I do not need a hive attack to go with the rest of the unsettled feelings.
He takes a few steps forward, then tucks his hands in his pockets. For some reason he looks nervous. “I need to apologize.”
“Apologize?” I can’t think of a reason he’d need to be sorry for something.
“For the way my mother-in-law acted on Friday. At the assembly.”
“Oh.” Friday feels like it was a million years ago. The whole breakup with Chad overshadowed Karen and her frostiness.
“Karen is having trouble with the move. She misses Peyton, and she doesn’t like how easily she seems to be settling in.” He rubs the back of his neck. “That sounds bad. What I mean is that she’s used to being the center of Peyton’s world, and with us living here, that’s not how it is anymore. It’s been tough for her to manage, and I need to make more of an effort to plan visits with them, but my focus has been on getting Peyton settled.” He blows out a breath. “Not that this is your issue, or your fault, but she lashed out at you and that wasn’t fair. She’s worried about her role in Peyton’s life.”
“That’s understandable. It has to be a big change for all of you.” Although I have to wonder how much those feelings are being directed my way because of my previous role in Peyton’s life. It makes me question exactly how much she knows, but I don’t have the guts to ask. Not right now, when everything feels so unsteady.
“It doesn’t make it acceptable, though. I didn’t want you to think I was okay with the way she acted.”
“I appreciate that. And I appreciate your apology, even though it’s unnecessary.”
“It felt necessary to me.” He tucks a thumb in his pocket and rocks back on his heels. “So, uh, there’s a theater in the park event coming up next weekend. I know you probably have plans with your boyfriend, but I’m taking Peyton, and I wanted to extend the invitation. My treat. As a thank-you.”
“Oh, uh, Chad and I aren’t together anymore, so my social calendar is wide open, unless I’m working a Spark House event.” I wish that had come out way less pitchy.
Gavin’s eyebrows shoot up. “What? When did that happen?”
“We broke up this weekend.” I amend that statement. “I broke up with him.”
“Oh. I’m … sorry?” It’s phrased more like a question than a statement.
I shrug, and once again the blanket of guilt weighs heavy on my shoulders for not seeing what I should have weeks ago. “He and I weren’t on the same page, and we weren’t right for each other. I wasn’t as invested in our relationship as I should have been.”
Gavin takes a seat on the chair across from me, his expression shifting to disquiet. “Is this my fault? Is it because of how I reacted when I came to pick up Peyton?”
I look away, struggling to meet his concerned gaze. Now that I’ve officially ended the relationship with Chad, I can see there’s an attraction to Gavin that I’ve been working to keep buried along with the memories and the guilt. I just had a reason before now not to acknowledge them.
“Harley?” His voice is soft, and he leans forward, his elbows resting on his thighs. “Is this because of me?”
“Sorry.” I shake my head. “No. It’s not because of you, Gavin.” I don’t need him feeling bad about this. I can carry that on my own. He has enough of his own baggage without taking on mine too. “I realized he and I are in different places in our lives, and what I want and what he wants isn’t the same thing.”