by Len Webster
It was 6:12 p.m. and Peyton was late.
Or she wouldn’t show.
He believed the latter.
He wasn’t sure why he held on to hope that she would come. Cooper wasn’t even sure if there was room in Peyton’s life for him. She obviously loved the man who had died on the pier. He still didn’t know his name. But he knew she loved him. He must have been the one for her. And Cooper, well, he wasn’t even sure he could be perfect for her. Nothing about him screamed worthy of being perfect.
Setting his phone down next to him, Cooper stared out at the sun setting. He knew that he’d be on this porch until midnight, maybe even longer. Then tomorrow night, he’d do it all again. Night after night, until she showed up and told him to stop holding on to hope.
“So you would really wait all night for me?” he heard her ask.
Cooper swung his gaze to his left to find her by the steps of the porch. She had used the side entry. Her hair was no longer up in a ponytail. Instead, she wore it down. Peyton tilted her head back and looked up at the pink and white fairy lights. He had bought them at the local hardware store and spent hours painstakingly hanging them up. He stood up and turned his body to face her.
“I didn’t think you’d show,” he admitted.
She smiled at him and reached into her handbag, retrieving the book he had given her. Then she flipped to the third page and took a deep breath.
“Peyton, I would love for you to think I’m perfect for you. I want to be someone worth all those laughs you make. Those smiles you’re not even aware that you create so flawlessly. Sometimes, forever, whatever you need me to be, I will. So I’ll wait. Until you’re ready. Every night on my porch, I’ll wait for you,” she read then closed the book. “You waited.”
“I did,” he confirmed. “Every night I will.”
Peyton climbed up the short steps and walked across the porch until she stood in front of him. Her eyes had searched his before a small smile tugged at her lips. “His name was Callum,” she revealed.
Callum.
“And it’s complicated, Cooper. I still cry, and it still hurts. But if you’re willing to be patient with me, then I can’t not want to be with you. I told you I feel something towards you. I believe in what I said to you when I came over. I still believe you’re perfect. I just think maybe I might let you down.”
Her guilt was so clear to see. It consumed her eyes, making her light blues shine, as she pressed her lips tightly together. Cooper took a step forward and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close to his chest.
“I don’t think that’s possible. I’m afraid that I’m the one who’ll disappoint you. But I’m gonna try like hell to avoid it. I’m gonna try to be everything you want and need.” He set his hands on her arms and then held her back so he could look her in the eye. “I mean it, Peyton. Sometimes, forever, whatever you want me to be in your life, I will. So long as I get to be with you.”
She wet her lips and then her eyes darted to her hands. Peyton held up her left hand and turned her wrist over, showing him her tattoo of Callum’s name.
“I’ve never been with another man other than Callum. I don’t know how not to feel guilty for that,” she confessed.
Cooper held her wrist and allowed his thumb to gently stroke her tattoo. His heart ached for her. The pain in her voice added to his own. “Day by day. That’s what it’ll take. Day by day, step by step. Moment by moment. I’ll be there, Peyton. I’ll be there for you.”
“Did you do all of this for me?” she asked once she had stepped out of his hold and took in the table that had the scones, cutlery, fresh lavender, and a candle. Then she approached the table and ran her fingertips across it.
“I did. I wanted it to be memorable. One of those moments worthy of your wall at your hotel,” he said as he made his way to her.
Peyton spun around; the way her lips parted as she blinked rapidly as if she were in awe was worth preserving. “I hate to say this because you put in so much effort, but I have to go. I have a long night of wedding planning for a guest. I really want to stay here with you, but I can’t. I didn’t factor that in when I walked here.”
“You walked?” he asked, surprised.
“Yeah. I need those extra minutes to think of what to say. That book you gave me, what did you have planned for it? There was only one Polaroid, the one you took while we were having tea. The front page says, ‘For Peyton.’”
The curiosity that consumed her sparkling eyes was beautiful. “I was gonna write down all the moments that I spent with you that took my breath away. I didn’t get the chance to before I ruined everything.”
Peyton set her bag down and then rummaged through it. Then she took out the notebook and placed it in his hands. “You have the chance to now. Write them all down for me.”
His fingers wrapped tightly around the faux leather cover. “I will. Do you want me to take you home?”
He hated that she had to leave, but he wasn’t going to force her to stay. She had already confessed that she was gonna try. That was enough for him.
“No. The walk will do me some good,” she said as she picked up her bag with a sweet smile.
“Peyton?”
“Yes?”
Cooper pursed his lips and took a deep breath. “Can I walk you home?”
Her blue eyes flickered as she nodded. “Sure.”
“My favourite place I’ve been to?” Peyton repeated his question as they made their way up her steps and to her front door. “Easy. Vienna.”
“You’ve been to Vienna?”
Peyton let out a light laugh. “Yeah, four months ago. It’s beautiful. And what’s your favourite place?”
“Honestly?” he asked, slightly nervous to answer.
She took out her house key from her bag and nodded. “Yeah. What’s your favourite place you’ve ever been to?”
They had been asking each other questions while they walked through Daylesford towards her house. He wasn’t sure if Peyton had noticed, but the usual fifteen-minute walk had turned into forty minutes. Cooper hadn’t minded. He felt guilty that she would have to spend all night working.
He had learnt that her favourite colours were white, even though it was a shade, and pink. Cheese and Vegemite sandwiches were her favourites. And one time, when she was seven, she had cried when her parents had said no to a pet.
Cooper dug his hands into his pockets. “My favourite place is your hotel,” he admitted.
“My hotel?” she asked, disbelief layered her voice.
“Yeah.” He nodded then pulled his hands out of his pockets and took hold of her left hand, completely aware that another man’s name inked her wrist. “It holds all the moments I’ve shared with you. I got to know more of you within its walls. I got to hear you laugh that one out-of-the-blue laugh while I stood on its floorboards. Your hotel is my favourite place in the world because you cherish it and love it. And most importantly, my life changed the moment I met you under its roof.”
She had inhaled sharply before she took a small step forward and gently cupped his face in her palms. “Cooper,” she whispered.
“Yeah, Peyton?”
“If we could take this slow, I know we can make it. I promise I’ll try really hard not to let you down.”
His heart filled with warmth. The determination in her voice made his desire and love for her that much stronger. This woman, through all her hardships, was undeniably amazing.
Cooper set his hands on her hips. He loved how she fit perfectly within his touch. “I want to be with you. I did the moment I met you. I want this to work because I don’t see anyone but you. I left the suburbs to avoid it, but then I met you. I never wanted to be with anyone as much as I want to be with you.”
The smile Peyton made was sweet and reached her eyes.
The three words were on the verge of leaving his lips, but it was too soon. She wouldn’t believe him. He had felt he would love her the moment she had laughed. But he had to be patient with
her. It would take time before she was ready to hear it.
“Would it be okay if …”
“Just ask, Cooper,” she urged in a whisper.
“Would it be okay if I kissed you?” His eyes never left hers.
She nodded.
That nod was all the incentive he needed.
He kissed her as if he hadn’t kissed anyone before. Slow and sweet. Discovering rather than conquering. This kiss, her lips, and the gentle touch of her hands was proof that no one would compare to Peyton Spencer.
She had been the one to break contact. Her heavy breathing only confirmed that their connection had affected her the way it did him. Enough to drive his wild heart insane as well as his breathing. Somehow, he knew he would never breathe the same way that he had before he had met her.
“I should go,” he said, reluctantly.
Peyton’s thumb had brushed his cheek before she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I have a couch. You don’t have to walk all the way home. It’s dark out.”
He chuckled at her eagerness for him to stay. Cooper pressed his forehead to hers. His hard breathing was one he enjoyed. All because of her. “I can’t. I’d love to, but you have to work on that wedding.”
“I really don’t want to,” she confessed.
Cooper let out a chuckle as he pulled back. “Good night, Peyton,” he said and then kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you at the hotel for tea tomorrow?”
She tilted her chin a little higher and nodded at him. “Just find me.”
“I will,” he breathed, knowing just how right this moment with her was.
Somehow, he would have to thank Fate or Destiny for making him apply for the job vacancy at the lavender farm.
His sister had been wrong; small towns weren’t boring.
One small town had changed his life.
Because it was the town Peyton called home.
But I want to tell you the two worst days of my life. They were the times I thought I had lost her. I will never forget those days. The first day was when we were dating …
The past month had been the best month of Cooper Hepburn’s life.
It wasn’t an understatement.
It was fact.
He had the honour and blessing to call Peyton Spencer his girlfriend.
The question of making it official with labels had been a slip of the tongue. Actually, it hadn’t been a question. He had introduced himself to some hotel guests as her boyfriend. He had blushed and started to ramble until Peyton reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his. Then she had given his hand a reassuring squeeze before she uttered the words that caused his heart to stop its beating.
This is Cooper, my boyfriend.
He had wanted to scream it to the world. Immature, he knew, but he couldn’t help it. He was Peyton Spencer’s boyfriend. The rest of the town knew hours later, which she had said was to be expected. Madilynne had been pleased. Graham, his boss, was apprehensive. Cooper understood why, but he wasn’t going to break Peyton’s heart. No. He was in it for forever. He would not be her sometimes or a memory to her. He would be the forever she deserved.
“Ready to go?” Peyton asked once she was by his side. His girlfriend had spent the last month making sure the Evans’ wedding was perfect. Tonight, Jenny had been in charge while Peyton took a well-deserved break. Instead, she had played guest rather than hotel owner.
And for Cooper, he was her date.
He watched proudly as she took in the wedding she had helped plan at her hotel. It was a beautiful reception. The married couple had their first dance under the twinkling lights of the lanterns near the lake.
“You sure you don’t want to stay?”
She shook her head and brushed her curled brown hair onto her back. “I’m off for the night. Jenny’s in charge. She can handle everything.”
“Are you definitely sure?” he asked again, just to tease her.
Peyton cupped his face in her hands. “Coop, I’m sure. Let’s go home,” she said. Then she gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.
Coop.
It had taken almost three weeks for her to be comfortable with his nickname. It was rare for her to say, but he loved the sound of it.
“All right,” he said and then took her hand. There was no hesitation. Not like when they had first started dating. It felt natural and right when her hand was encased in his. “I’ll start. What is your favourite day of the year so far?”
“That is very specific,” Peyton said. Then she stopped and wiggled her right foot in her shoe.
“You okay?” he asked, laughing at her scrunched-up face.
“It’s these heels,” she complained. “They’ve been killing me all day.”
This he could fix.
Cooper spun around, his back facing her. Then he crouched down. “So your favourite day?”
“What are you doing?”
He rolled his eyes, knowing that she couldn’t see him. “Gonna get you off your feet so we can walk you home.”
“Cooper, it’s a long walk.”
He peeked over his shoulders to see her brow raised at him. “Peyton, don’t argue with your boyfriend when he’s trying to help you avoid getting blisters on your feet.”
She let out a bothered sigh, conceding defeat. She slipped off each heel, held them both in one hand, and then she carefully climbed onto his back. As she crossed her arms around his neck, Cooper had held on to her legs before he stood up, carrying his girlfriend properly.
“Today,” she whispered in his ear. “Today, right now, has been one of my favourite days of the year. But the day I met you has so far been my favourite. What’s yours?”
Cooper smiled. Her favourite day was his, too. He made his way around the hotel, towards the path that would lead them down to the lake. “My favourite day was when I met you,” he revealed. “Probably one of my favourite days of my entire life.”
Peyton rested her head on the curve of her neck as he carried her home. She let out a contented sigh as he walked around the lake.
“Coop,” she said once he had made it to her street.
“Yeah?”
Her arms tightened around him. “Would you like to stay over tonight?”
His heart throbbed in his chest. It bordered on that fine line between pain and pleasure. He wasn’t sure if she meant her couch or bed, but all he wanted to do was hold her as she slept. Discover and familiarise himself with that last deep exhale before she succumbed to sleep.
“Can I set you down for a second?”
She nodded against his neck.
Cooper bent his knees and Peyton climbed off his back. He turned around to find her putting her shoes on. When she had them on, she gave him a smile and took a deep breath.
“So?” she asked, nervous.
He remained quiet, trying to find the doubt in her eyes. It was hard with it being dark on her street.
“Cooper, your silence scares me,” she admitted.
“Sorry, I’m just trying to figure out if it’s something you want. Me to stay the night. I know we said we’d take it slow and everything …”
Peyton stepped forward and looped her arms around his neck once more. “You piggybacked me from the hotel to my street. You have lunch with me every day. You call me each morning and each night. You ask me silly questions about my favourite moments and things that aren’t really silly. You remind me of how strong I can be. You’re my Uncle John’s favourite person in town. You’re my Aunty Brenda’s favourite listener. And you’re someone my best friends love. You tell me I’m beautiful before you hang up each night. And for once, I don’t want to hear it over the phone. I’d like you to say it before I fall asleep.”
God, do I love her.
“Then I’ll say it to you before you fall asleep.”
It had taken them several minutes to walk hand in hand to her house, up the small stairs, and to her front door. Cooper waited patiently as she opened the clutch that had hung on her shoulder and retrieved
her key. Once the door was opened, she took his hand and led him inside. When he closed the door behind them, Peyton flicked the hallway light switch on, went to the table, and set her bag on it. Then she spun around and gave him a sight he loved. It was that gleam in her eyes. He was sure she loved him. Peyton might not realise it, but he was sure she did. So he’d wait. Be patient with her. He’d never rush her on her affections. It had been a slow progress, but she was getting comfortable around him. And that was all he wanted.
He’d been in Peyton’s house several times, but they had never spent long periods of time inside. He’d never seen her bedroom or bathroom, but it hadn’t bothered him. Most of the time they spent together was either at his cottage or at the hotel. Tonight, however, she’d be in his arms.
Peyton took several steps towards him and said nothing as she grabbed his hand and led him down the hall. They had passed the lounge room and kitchen before they entered another small hallway. When they reached a closed door, she slowly let out a breath of air and then twisted the knob. As the bedroom door opened, Peyton stepped inside, leading him to follow.
She had dropped his hand once inside and shut the door. Then she went to her bedside table and turned on the lamp. It was on a dim setting. Not too bright but with enough light for him to take in her and her room. Cooper watched as Peyton made her way to him and rested her palms on his chest.
Just as he opened his mouth to say something, her fingers brushed his chest to the top button of his dark purple dress shirt. They had somewhat colour coordinated their outfits for the wedding by accident. He decided that he’d let her lead. Peyton unbuttoned his shirt and then pushed it off his shoulders. Once she had dropped it on the floor, she took a step back. Her arms reached behind her and that was when he acted.
He quickly had his hands on her arms, stopping her. “Peyton, what are you doing?”
She flinched underneath his touch. Her wide eyes collided with his. Cooper saw the want and desire flicker in them. He knew what she wanted. He wanted it, too. But he wasn’t sure if giving her what she wanted stuck to the slow plan they had when it came to their relationship.