by Erika Wilde
“We know you do, Peyty,” her mother replied with a smile, though it was clear that she was still thrown by the events that had unfolded over the past hour. “We love you, too. That will never change.”
“I’m going to head home tonight,” Leo said, because there now wasn’t any reason for him to stay and he didn’t want to leave without some kind of goodbye. “Thank you again for everything.”
He shook hands with her father, feeling the respect and forgiveness in the other man’s grip despite Leo’s part in the fabricated relationship, then hugged her mother, who also didn’t seem to harbor any ill will toward him, for which he was grateful.
He walked with Peyton back to the guesthouse, and once inside, he went to the bedroom and started packing up his things. She stood in the doorway watching him, not saying a word, but every time he looked at her face, he saw a dozen different emotions pass across her features—an undeniable combination of nerves and anxiety and hope and angst—as if she was gathering the courage to do or say something that would make him change his mind about leaving.
When he finally had his bag filled with his things and was ready to head out, she stepped into the room. “Before you go, there’s something I need to tell you,” she said on a rush of breath, while her big blue eyes were so transparent and vulnerable those emotions told him exactly what she was going to say even before the words left her mouth.
Leo held his breath, wanting to stop her before she put her heart on the line for him. He was so damn afraid to hear the words, but even more afraid to never have the chance to hear them come out of her mouth at all. How fucking selfish was that?
She gave him a tremulous smile. “I love you, Leo Stone.”
He groaned, unable to speak with his own emotions a tangled mess in his chest that kept him from returning the sentiment, even though the words were screaming a chorus in his brain, and he knew them to be true. She stepped up to him and feathered her fingers along his cheek, her touch everything he wanted and needed in his life but would ultimately let go because it was the right thing to do.
“I know it all seems so fast, but I honestly think I’ve loved you since college,” she went on, tearing his heart to shreds with every sweet, honest word she spoke. “And this past week has just proven to me that you are a man I could easily spend the rest of my life with. I want that chance with you, and I really hope you feel the same way.”
He took her trembling hand in his, even though everything within him felt as though it was falling apart, piece by piece. “Peyton . . . you’ve worked so hard for your life in New York. Hell, you fabricated this entire charade just to keep your parents happy because you didn’t want to come back to San Diego. I can’t and won’t let you give up your life and career for me.”
Because one of his greatest fears was that she’d walk away from a life she loved to be with him, then possibly resent him a few years down the road for making her choose. The risk was too great to take. He’d been there, done that, and barely survived the emotional aftermath. Somehow, he knew it would be even more devastating to eventually lose Peyton, this woman who’d given him his life back.
Tears shimmered in her eyes, and she valiantly blinked them back. “You’re not making me choose, Leo. I know what I want, and that’s you.”
He shook his head adamantly, the lone tear that slipped from the corner of her eye causing a huge lump to form in his throat. “I can’t let you do it,” he said, his voice hoarse. “You deserve so much more.”
Pressing his lips to her forehead, he inhaled the scent of her skin one last time, trying to convince himself that he was doing the right thing for her. She might not realize it now, but she would later, when she was back in New York and loving whatever job she ended up with. That’s where she belonged, he told himself.
Then, while he still had the fortitude to do so, he picked up his bag and walked out the door.
* * *
“Peyty, you really should eat something before you leave for the airport.”
“I’m fine, Mom,” Peyton said for the fifth time that morning since walking into the house to be with her parents while they ate breakfast. Her mother had taken one look at her red, puffy eyes and the sadness no doubt reflected on her face and had automatically shifted into worry mode and had been fretting over Peyton ever since.
Glancing away from her father’s concerned stare, Peyton took a sip of her coffee, the only thing she could stomach right now after spending most of the night tossing and turning while alternately dealing with the hurt caused by Leo’s rejection and being pissed that he thought he knew what was best for her . . . and didn’t believe that she’d gladly give up her life in New York for him. She wasn’t Amanda, and Peyton loved Leo more than enough to compromise and make sacrifices. She knew what she’d be giving up. It was a choice she was willing to make, but in the end, it hadn’t made a difference and her battered heart was paying the price.
He was an idiot, plain and simple, and she’d come to the conclusion this morning that there was nothing she could do or say that would change his mind. If I love you wasn’t strong enough to persuade him, then she didn’t know what ever would.
“Honey, are you sure you’re okay to travel today?” her mom asked, placing a gentle hand on Peyton’s arm. “In fact, since you don’t have a job yet, you can stay a bit longer and—”
“Tawny,” her father interrupted Peyton’s mother, a warning note in his voice. “Have you already forgotten the conversation we had last night after the kids left the house and what we agreed on?”
Her mother sighed. “I remember, Carson,” she said, a bit sheepishly. “It’s just difficult to turn all the worry off when it’s been second nature since the day she was born.”
“She’s a grown adult,” her father countered, his tone firm. “We agreed to let her live her life like one and stop interfering.”
Despite how lousy she felt, despite the heart that was split open in her chest, the corner of Peyton’s mouth kicked up in an amused smile at her parents’ little quarrel. “You guys really discussed that?” she asked in disbelief.
“Of course we did.” Her father finished off his bacon and wiped his mouth with his napkin, his eyes caring as they met hers. “We realized that maybe we have been too overprotective, but it’s only because we love you.”
“I know that,” she said softly.
“And we never meant to make you feel so smothered and pressured that you’d go to the lengths that you did with Leo to convince us you had a man in your life taking care of you in New York,” he added. “So, we owe you an apology as well.”
“Yes, we’re very sorry,” her mother echoed. “But—”
“There is no but, Tawny,” Carson cut in, giving Peyton’s mother an exasperated look. “We’re sorry, and we’re going to try and do better going forward, right?”
“Yes.” Peyton almost laughed at the prissy way her mother addressed her father. “I was just going to say that, if she ever needed to come back home, she could live in the guesthouse until she’s ready to find a place of her own.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” But Peyton honestly didn’t foresee returning to San Diego to live any time soon. Not when her one and only reason to stay had turned her away.
“I need to say one more thing,” Tawny said, cutting Carson a look that said he’d better not dare interrupt her this time, and he didn’t. “I know you told us that you and Leo agreed to a fake relationship for the sake of convincing your father and me that you had someone in New York, and it was all a temporary thing, but what I saw between the two of you seemed very real. Unless I’m mistaken?”
The careful way her mother phrased the question made it more of a curiosity than a concern. Peyton wasn’t surprised that her mother had seen their chemistry and connection, because being with Leo had been so easy and effortless. Like they’d been together for years, instead of just a week.
“No, you’re not mistaken,” Peyton said, staring down into her coffee cup while pushing down
the surge of emotion trying to claw its way to the surface all over again. “In fact, I told him I loved him last night, but it just wasn’t enough to change his mindset, which, unfortunately, is because a woman in his past hurt him pretty badly because she waited until their wedding day to tell him that she wasn’t willing to give up a certain part of her life for him.”
“Oh.” Her mother’s one word was quiet but shocked.
Peyton lifted her head and met her mother’s gaze. “Leo knows exactly how I feel about him, but I’m not about to beg him into believing me when I say that he’s a man I’d follow anywhere because I love him. He has to believe it for himself.”
And since that wasn’t about to happen, it was time for her to finish packing up her things so her parents could take her to the airport.
Chapter Thirteen
Leo had no desire to meet his brother and Serena for breakfast the following morning, but when Dylan had texted him less than an hour ago to invite him along for the meal, Leo figured if it kept his mind off of Peyton and the fact that she was leaving for New York very soon, then he’d force himself into enduring his brother’s company. Because, really, what else was he going to do with himself now that he was done being Peyton’s fake boyfriend?
“Well, you certainly look like shit this morning,” Dylan said much too cheerfully as Leo slid into the booth across from him and Serena. “Did you drink too much at that wedding you went to last night with Peyton and you’re dealing with a hangover?”
Leo frowned. Jesus, did he really look that bad? And here he thought he just felt like crap on the inside. “No, I’m not hungover,” he snapped irritably, just as the waitress came by and filled his cup with coffee, thank God. Hopefully caffeine would help improve his mood. Or not.
“Someone’s a little testy this morning,” his brother said, his voice filled with humor. “And here I thought you’d be happy to be a free man again since today was your last day being Peyton’s fake boyfriend.”
Serena shot Dylan an incredulous look. “Why would you just assume that Leo would be happy about that?” she asked, a thread of annoyance in her tone that he’d just automatically jump to that conclusion.
“Because it was all fake, Serena,” Dylan replied, as if that was reason enough for Leo to be overjoyed that his duty to Peyton was done.
Serena sat back and crossed her arms over her chest in exasperation. “How do you know it was all fake?” she challenged.
“What makes you think it wasn’t?” Dylan shot back, the two of them bickering like two old friends . . . or an old married couple, Leo thought with his first glimmer of amusement since being with Peyton at the wedding the night before.
Serena rolled her eyes. “Did you not see, really see, your brother with Peyton at the gender reveal on Thursday?” She went on as if Leo wasn’t even sitting there and he just listened, still amused.
Dylan raised his brows at her. “Clearly, you saw something I didn’t.”
“That’s because you’re more than a little obtuse when it comes to men and women and what a real connection looks like.”
Oh, burn, Leo thought, scoring one for Serena. Because, yes, his brother was dense when it came to how Serena felt about him . . . and it wasn’t just friendship.
Dylan opened his mouth with a retort, but Leo cut him off, done listening to them bicker back and forth.
“Hello, I’m right here,” he said, waving a hand between them. “Jesus Christ. You’re talking about me like I’m not sitting right across from the two of you.”
They both turned their heads and stared at him, as if realizing that oh, yeah, they’d invited him along to their breakfast and he was sitting at the table with them.
Their server came back around to take their order, giving Leo a few moments’ reprieve from Dylan and Serena’s squabbling. Unfortunately, the woman left way too soon and Serena’s gaze landed on him again.
“Are you happy that your week with Peyton is over?” she asked.
Dylan looked at him expectantly, clearly anticipating Leo’s answer to be yes. But that would be a blatant lie, and Leo wasn’t going to pretend that he didn’t already feel like a part of him was missing without Peyton. “No, I can’t say I am.”
“Ha!” Serena smacked the table triumphantly and gloated at Dylan. “See? I knew it!”
“What do you think you know, Serena?” his brother asked in a stupid-ass mocking voice.
“That your brother is in love with Peyton.”
Dylan smirked. “That’s not possible. I mean, after what happened with Amanda . . . ” He glanced back at Leo for some kind of affirmation to back up his statement, but Leo couldn’t deny the truth.
“It’s more than possible,” Leo admitted, even though his feelings for Peyton changed nothing because she belonged in New York. And he belonged here in San Diego.
Dylan gaped at him as he sat back in the booth, clearly dumbfounded. “Are you fucking kidding me? How the hell did that happen?”
Leo shrugged. “It just did.” It was hard to explain all the reasons he’d fallen for Peyton, because there were so many of them. Her smile. Her quirky personality. The effortless way she made him laugh. And mostly how quickly and easily she made him forget that he’d sworn he’d never allow himself to fall in love again. Clearly, it had just taken the right woman to make it happen.
“Isn’t she flying to New York today?” Serena asked.
“Yes.” He glanced at his phone on the table and noted the time. “Her flight leaves in a little less than two hours.” Yes, he was counting the minutes, just to torture himself.
“Then what are you doing here?” Serena asked.
“Having breakfast with the two of you,” he stated simply, because the real answer was more complicated.
“Don’t be an ass like your brother,” she said, ignoring Dylan’s affronted look. “Tell me something . . . did she let you go, or did you let her go?”
Leo couldn’t bring himself to answer, because not only had he let her go, but he’d essentially shoved her right out of his life.
“You big, dumb, stupid man,” she said, obviously correctly reading into his silence. “And here I told Peyton not to break your heart.”
“What are you talking about?” Leo frowned in confusion. “When did you tell her that?”
“When we were sitting alone outside on the deck at your mother’s on Thursday,” she said, shaking her head. “Leo, I saw the way you were looking at Peyton that night, the way you touched her when you thought no one was looking, and you seemed happier than you have been in a long time. And I told her, whatever happens between the two of you, she just shouldn’t break your heart. And instead, you broke hers.”
You broke her fucking heart. The truth hit Leo like a sledgehammer, and his stomach rolled as visions of Peyton standing in front of him, her heart open and vulnerable as she told him she loved him, flashed through his mind. Then, she’d told him he was a man she could easily spend the rest of her life with. She’d been brave enough to say those words to him, and he’d been a coward and pushed her away, even as he told himself he was doing the noble thing for her.
The waitress came by with their meals, and when she set Leo’s Denver omelet in front of him, the scent of his breakfast added to the turmoil churning in his stomach. Jesus, what had he done?
“Leo,” Serena said, pulling him out of his dark thoughts. “It’s not too late.”
“Not too late for what?” Dylan asked, completely obtuse as he shoveled a big bite of his pancakes into his mouth.
“To go and get the girl who loves him,” she said, smacking Dylan upside the head as if to knock some sense into him, which earned her a perturbed glare from Leo’s brother.
God, those two.
Realizing he didn’t have much time, Leo grabbed his phone, which had Peyton’s flight itinerary, and started moving out of the booth.
“Hey, if you’re leaving, can I have your omelet?” Dylan asked, oblivious to the fact that Serena had just sav
ed Leo from making the biggest mistake of his life.
“Knock yourself out, brother,” Leo said with a laugh.
While Dylan reached across the table for his plate, Serena caught Leo’s arm before he walked away, a huge smile on her face. “Don’t forget, since you were the idiot who let her go, it’s up to you to make a grand gesture to win her back.”
He cocked his head in confusion. “A grand gesture?”
Serena nodded. “Be loud and proud and don’t be afraid to let everyone know how you feel about her. Trust me, that’s about as grand as it gets.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, and headed for the door, hoping that he wasn’t too late to win her back.
* * *
Finished checking in her luggage, Peyton slung her travel bag over her shoulder and headed for the security checkpoint. The airport was fairly crowded, and she started wending her way back and forth through the long line leading up to the TSA employee checking tickets and identifications of every flyer.
Her entire body felt weary, including her heart, and she wondered just how long it was going to take for her to get over Leo. That thought prompted a dry laugh. If her college crush on him hadn’t diminished after all these years, then it was going to take a lifetime for her to get over the fact that she was in love with him now.
The realization made her head pound as she shuffled closer to the guard. Somewhere in the terminal, she heard some idiot hollering, though it was hard to make out where the yelling was coming from or what was being said. The people in front of her looked around as the commotion continued, but Peyton didn’t have the energy to even care.
“Hey, I think that guy over there is trying to get your attention,” the woman in front of her said, pointing to the far side of the zigzagging line they were walking through.
Certain the woman was mistaken, Peyton gave a cursory glance in that direction, and holy shit, her jaw dropped when she saw that it was Leo, waving his arms wildly in the air and pointing at her, since he was unable to bypass the ropes keeping him out of the security line. She stared at him, dumbfounded that he was there at the airport. Had she forgotten something important in his car from last night? She glanced at her things. No, she had her wallet, her purse, her cell phone, and everything she needed to get on this plane.