“I changed my mind. I need more time.”
“Peyton. That sounds like pesky self-doubt.” He took a hand towel off the rack and handed it to her so she could dry her hands off.
“Not really.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“OK, maybe it is. You have no idea what it’s like, pouring your heart and soul into something and having some snooty critic say it’s OK or a good first effort. I’ve been doing this for years, and I’m still considered an amateur.”
“You know how many people would kill to have your talents? I can barely take a photo with my camera phone, but you can see and capture special moments that the average person wouldn’t think twice about. You see the world through rose-colored glasses. And the world needs that right now.”
“Thank you for saying that.” She looked into his eyes.
He moved closer to her. “About the night we returned from Napa. I think we need to talk.”
There was a loud crash outside. Alex and Peyton rushed to the patio door to find someone had knocked over a tray of veggies. Grayson had another crowd around him like he was giving a demonstration. He was pointing to one of the dad’s laugh lines and showing how they could be smoothed away.
Alex sighed. “I’d better get back outside. Grayson is done with his emaciated balloon animals and looks like he’s moved on to an impromptu Botox seminar.”
“Your friend is quite the silver-tongued devil.” She giggled.
“Did he say something inappropriate to you?”
“After he not-so-casually mentioned he was a plastic surgeon, he said I was a natural beauty and there wasn’t a thing he would change about me. I took that as a compliment.”
“He’s right about that. What else did he say?”
“He said if you were brave enough to ask me out again, I should say yes.”
“Can we try again?” He caressed her cheek. “Another date. We can go to dinner and a movie.”
“I’d like that.”
“Ms. Colfax!” Chloe came running to the door. “I made this for you. It’s a friendship bracelet.”
“This is awesome. I love the colors.”
“You weren’t leaving, were you?”
“How can I leave? I haven’t had any of that delicious cake yet, and I want to see your face when you open my gift.”
“Let’s cut the cake, then presents,” Alex said.
Alex watched as Chloe fastened the bracelet around Peyton’s wrist. His daughter was so happy that she’d come to the party. Chloe hadn’t opened up to someone this way in a long time. He tried to resist reading too much into it…but his heart swelled with hope all the same.
* * *
Peyton scanned the room and did a head count. It was her first time chaperoning a field trip and she didn’t want to lose anyone. When the principal accepted her suggestion to take the kids to an art museum, she was elated. It was the perfect time to show the kids how their creative potential could one day produce a fine work of art. In addition to showing them the various types of art, they’d also been scheduled for two creative workshops. They had more fun in the tribal mask class than she thought they would and was hopeful they’d enjoy the basket weaving class in the afternoon.
She was in charge of ten kids, one of them being Noah. She’d thought about switching with Carrie. She’d spent a lot of time with Alex and the kids the past month and she didn’t want him to feel like she was smothering him. Chloe was pretty easy to read, and she loved to talk to her. Noah was more of an enigma. He was always polite and kind; Alex didn’t tolerate rudeness from his kids. But she couldn’t decipher if he liked having her around.
Now it was time to feed the boisterous munchkins. She handed the vouchers to the cafeteria cashier and had the children move from each food station in a group. Most of them wanted sandwiches, chips, and sodas, but a few wanted something hot. She seated the sandwich eaters and helped the hot food gourmands get their meals. When they were finally all seated and eating, she got a chicken Caesar wrap for herself and took a seat one table away.
She took out her cell phone when she heard the ping. The kids were all behaving, so it was the perfect time to check her messages. Skyler had sent an e-mail saying a torrential rainstorm had delayed production, but she wasn’t put off by it because the cast and crew were having a great time in the hotel. She hoped her friend didn’t do anything stupid like drink too much or sleep with her co-star. Infamous viral videos might have been a publicity tool for major stars, but it wasn’t a good look for someone whose bread and butter were feel-good, cable channel romances that had no nudity or sex scenes. She took a deep breath when she saw the e-mail from the artist residency. She’d been selected for the latest round of consideration. This time they would be reviewing the essay she’d sent along with her portfolio samples. She was confident she’d been clear about why she wanted to be part of the program. Before, the idea of six months in Maine sounded like a great idea. Skyler would be coming back to her place soon, and Peyton would need to find another place to live. They loved each other like sisters, but it quickly became evident in college that they made horrible roommates, despite them both being artist types.
In Maine, she could photograph and paint the coastal communities, enjoy the season changes, and take some time to take stock of her life. Now she wasn’t so sure. Even though her job had started as a temporary gig, she enjoyed being an art teacher. She got to work on her projects while helping the kids, who were a hoot. She loved the wonder and the unabashed honestly that came out of their mouths. She also enjoyed the weekend classes with the patients at the hospital. Art was healing in many ways.
And the most important reason for the recent crop of doubts was Alex and his kids.
Her phone pinged again. She’d just received a text message from him. He wanted to know how things were going. There was really no need to check up on Noah, he was a good kid, but she assured him he was behaving. He proceeded to ask her how her day was going. It was a bit of a surprise, he wasn’t really a texting kind of guy, but lately he’d been reaching out to say hi and she liked it. She thought about him during her day, and it was nice that he’d been doing the same thing.
She was feeling so good in fact that she’d asked him to have dinner at her place this Saturday. She’d half expected him to say no, but then he texted a few minutes later that he’d ask Aubrey to babysit. Yes! She smiled and replied with a casual it’s a date, but she wanted to do a fist pump in the air. But she was sure Noah would tell Alex she’d done something strange in the cafeteria…and then Alex would know exactly how excited she was. She looked up from her cell phone and saw Noah taking his tray to the garbage bin. When he finished, he came over and sat her next to her.
“Hey, Noah. Are you having a good time?”
“Sure.” He shrugged. “It’s pretty cool here. I liked the mask class. I thought all we’d do was look at stuff on the walls.”
“Art isn’t all paintings on walls. As a matter of fact, on the fourth floor there are abstract paintings from a street graffiti artist who paints with his skateboard.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He puts a blank canvas on the floor, dips his wheels in different colors, and does all these cool tricks until he’s finished.”
“Wow.”
“We’ll go up there after everyone is finished.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a flyer. “This is the weekend schedule for art classes here at the museum. I think there’s a class that does something like that. Maybe your dad can bring you and Chloe.”
“Would you come back with us?”
“What?”
“If we come back. Would you come with us? I know Chloe would want you to come, and my dad too.”
“I’d have to talk it over with him. I wouldn’t want to horn in on family time.”
“He won’t mind. He likes you. He didn’t smile a whole lot after mom died. But he smiles a lot more when you’re around.” Noah looked her in the eye. “Do you like him?
”
The question was innocent enough. She could tell by the look in his eyes he wanted an honest answer.
“Yes. I like your dad very much.”
The kids had finished eating and had swarmed the table, so she gave Noah a reassuring smile and clammed up. She didn’t want them teasing him. Not that anyone knew she and Alex were sort of dating, but she knew kids could be merciless sometimes. Everyone had cleared their trays and their tables were clean, so she ushered them off to the street artist’s exhibit. She glanced at Noah, who’d gone back to talking and joking around with his friends. They’d just had a really deep conversation, and yet his world was unchanged. He’d just told her that Alex was changing because of her. But he’d unknowingly changed the course of hers.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Alex jotted on the note pad while taking off his lab coat. It was almost noon, and he didn’t want to be late for his lunch date with Peyton. They’d agreed to meet in the cafeteria after she declined his offer to swing by her art room and pick her up. She’d done the same thing last weekend when he was on rounds and she was here with a class. They ended up getting together in his office. He didn’t mind, he just wanted to be with her. But he couldn’t help but feel like she was self-conscious about being seen with him. She also artfully dodged him whenever he came to the school. He didn’t want to be part of the rumor mill, but dammit, they were entitled to a social life.
He told himself it was just nervousness about being a couple. He’d planned on cementing that notion this weekend. He wasn’t interested in seeing anyone else, and she was only dating him. He felt like he was ready to take this next step of agreeing they were exclusive with each other. It was a beautiful day, and most of all, he’d get to see her. They were also going to make plans for the upcoming weekend. It would be their second outing with the kids along. He wanted to do something fun and keep the kids engaged, so a trail ride around Austin’s ranch property was perfect. They would barbecue at Austin’s place afterward. After seeing Peyton and Austin interact, it was nice to see that they were really good friends.
What he really wanted was for Peyton and Noah to spend some time together. His son had been a little more reserved than Chloe in expressing himself about his art teacher being around more. He was polite to her, but Alex knew his son could be more social than that. He made his way to the cafeteria, but then he got a text from Peyton to meet him in the garden area.
He spotted Peyton and hurried to her. “Hi.” He leaned over and kissed her before he sat down. “I thought we were going to meet in the cafeteria?”
“It’s nicer out here.” She put her sunglasses on top of her head.
“Nicer or more secluded?”
“Secluded can be good.” She smiled and handed him a sandwich. “Here’s your turkey and roast beef with Swiss cheese on rye. To drink, we have a sparking pomegranate juice and a nice summer melon salad for dessert.”
“Delicious.” He bit into his sandwich. The food was awesome, but he couldn’t let her segue way that without addressing it. “Secluded can be good, but I hope you aren’t embarrassed to be seen with me.”
“No, I could never be ashamed of us.” She smiled. “It’s just odd when we get the occasional stare.”
“People are staring because you’re beautiful.” He moved a lock of hair out of her face. “And they can’t believe how incredibly lucky I am to be with you.”
“The ladies might think it’s the other way around.” She laughed and took a bite of honeydew melon. “I don’t know. I don’t want people to think I trapped the hot doctor via his kids. I know my educator job is temporary, but it would kill me if someone thought I used Noah and Chloe to land their dad.”
“No one thinks that.”
“The teacher’s lounge goes silent when I walk in there.”
“The same thing happens to me in the doctor’s lounge.”
“But I’m sure it’s not for the same reason.”
“One of my superstar doctors made a crude remark about you when you left my office the other day. He won’t be making that mistake again.”
“What did you do?”
“Reminded him of the harassment policies in place that protect the female workers from idiot comments like that, and my policy of punching out the lights of anyone who talks about my woman that way.”
“Your woman?”
“I thought we’d talk about being exclusive.” He put the sandwich down and wiped his mouth. “How do you feel about us just seeing each other?”
“I’d like that. I don’t want to date anyone else either.”
“Good.”
They continued to eat and discuss their plans for the weekend. She liked the idea of the trail ride and barbecue at Austin’s place. A half hour later, it was time for him to get back inside.
“I hate to leave you, but I have to take one last look at a budget report before I submit it this afternoon.”
“No worries. I have to put in a requisition for some supplies, then I’m headed home to do some work of my own.”
“So we’re on for ice cream after Noah’s game tomorrow in the park?” He grabbed the empty bags and then took her hand.
She stood. “Sure thing. I’ll meet you there.”
“I really wish you’d let me pick you up.”
“I know.” She sighed. “But you were right when you suggested we ease the kids into seeing me more often.”
“I did.” He smiled. “But that didn’t mean I wanted to be rude. A man should pick his date up.”
“You’re forgiven.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips.
“See you tomorrow.” He kissed her back.
Alex stood there for a moment while he watched Peyton walk back to the neurology wing. She wanted to be exclusive, which meant she was just as invested in this budding relationship as he was, and that made him happy.
Peyton walked back to the art room wanting to kick herself. The upside of eating lunch outside with Alex was they were away from prying eyes and she’d be able to tell him that she’d received news that she’d been awarded the residency. Each time she’d tried to mention it to him, one look into those intense blue eyes and she’d chicken out. The two of them were growing closer, and yet she had this amazing opportunity that would take her far across the country for six months. It seemed like a short amount of time, but she knew it was an interminable life sentence for a long-distance relationship. Women all around town were chomping at the bit to get close to the hot doctor and a few weren’t shy about telling her how lucky she was to land him. She didn’t want any pressure to make premature moves because she was afraid she’d lose him, but it was nice to know he wanted them to be a couple.
* * *
Alex straightened his silk tie again before he rang Peyton’s doorbell. He’d gone to great lengths to look good tonight for Peyton’s debut at the gallery. He’d had a little help getting ready. Aubrey and Chloe insisted on picking out his suit and a nice tie, so he let them. Noah picked out a pair of cuff links for him.
As soon as Peyton opened the door, he kissed her and handed her the bouquet of flowers he’d bought from the florist on the way to her house.
“Hello to you too.” She smiled and set the flowers in the waiting vase.
“You look ravishing.” She was dressed in a lovely cranberry scoop neck dress and a pair of heels.
“Thanks. You look elegant.” She kissed him.
He knew he was staring, but he couldn’t help it. Peyton simply looked so beautiful it made him feel an ache of longing inside him, almost a fear that this couldn’t really be true. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her again the moment his lips left hers.
They’d been taking it slow, but they shared embraces and deep, passionate kisses. That didn’t mean he didn’t want to make love to her, but he was doing his best to temper his desires. He wanted her. Badly. And his trip to the pharmacy to get a box of condoms felt more like a covert spy mission. He wasn’t a caveman, but he thought sex was
done best with raw passion and a whole lot of randy enthusiasm. He felt self-conscious and awkward, but he knew it was the responsible thing to do. In addition to condoms, there were all sorts of jells and creams on the shelves that one used to have to order through the mail for fear of embarrassment or being labeled a pervert. But the idea of warming liquids and other things to enhance the sexual experience was intriguing. He wondered what Peyton would like. He bought two kinds of condoms and a couple of jells and managed to make it to the register without breaking into a cold sweat. The cashier spied every item as she scanned them and gave him a wink when she gave him back his change. To avoid any embarrassment at home, he’d found the perfect place in his armoire to stash his contraceptives.
“You ready to take the art world by storm?” he asked her, unable to keep the smile off his face.
“I’m just hoping I make one sale.”
“You’ll do better than that.” Alex escorted her to the SUV and opened the door for her. “People are going to love your work. It’s already displayed all over this town. Now you’re finally going to get paid for it.”
She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “I like how you think. Speaking of my art world, how are Chloe and Noah, two of my favorite students?”
“Cheering for you with all their hearts,” he said and loved the way her face lit up with pleasure at the news.
It had been a huge relief that Noah and Chloe seemed OK with it all. He’d have little chats with them every now and again, giving them a chance to air their feelings. It had also become easier to bring up Rachel. He hadn’t tensed up when the kids had asked if they could put a few of her mementos in their rooms. So they’d gone through the boxes he’d kept tucked away in the garage one Saturday afternoon. It had been a trip back in time, but for once he’d had a handle on the flood of emotions. They were no longer sharp pangs to the gut, but a bittersweet feeling of wonderful days past. He’d even finally gotten around to getting that cedar chest Charisma had suggested.
Second Chance at Love Page 14