Ford groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Peyt, you’re going to get me into so much hot water with Griffin.”
“Shhh.” Peyton glared at him. “Well?”
“Uh…Uh…” My eyes went straight to the house, looking for Griffin, feeling like a traitor just for being caught wanting something different from Griffin.
“You do.” Peyton pointed at me like she’d won. “And Ford and I have a way for you to do that.”
My heart kicked hard. For a split second, I looked up, like a reflex. “What about Griffin?”
Peyton dismissed this with one hand. “Griffin would stay too. Obviously.”
Ford scratched his eyebrow. “We wouldn’t propose anything that would cause a rift between the two of you.”
Peyton scoffed. “Of course not.”
I couldn’t think of a single thing that might convince Griffin to stay. “But he has a good job in Phoenix.”
Peyton made a dismissive sound. “He’d have a better job here if he’d swallow his pride.”
My brows pulled together. “What do you mean?”
“Didn’t he tell you?” Peyton asked.
Ford said nothing. His face said enough.
“Tell me what?” I asked.
Peyton’s head bobbed. “That Seddledowne is starting a?—”
“Stop.” Ford put a hand up. “No. We’re not pitting them against each other. We shouldn’t even be out here talking to her without Griffin present. This is a waste of time, babe.” He shook his head, the mo-flop swinging. “He’s never going to agree.”
“What do you think this is?” Peyton asked. “Elementaryschool?” She snapped her fingers twice in an X pattern. “It would be nice if he were on board, but Juliette is a whole grown woman who had an entire career before Griffin.” She sniffed. “I’d like to see you try to tellmeno about starting my own beauty line with her.”
Wait. Had I heard her right?
“I wouldn’t tell you no,” Ford said. “I’m not an idiot.”
“Exactly.” Peyton rewarded him with a quick kiss on the lips. “And Griffin won’t be either.”
“We’ll see about that,” Ford said.
“Wait.” They both looked at me. “Back up. You want to start a beauty line with me?”
“Yes, girl.” Peyton fell against me, laughing. “Sorry, didn’t I say that?”
“No.” The laugh came out before I could stop it. Peyton wanted to start a beauty line. Withme.
She grinned. “Just say yes, and you can quit your job at DayGlow and live here in Seddledowne. Permanently.”
I stood there, stunned, a choir of angels singingHallelujah, I’m savedin my head. The relief was palpable. Peyton and Ford had handed me the biggest out—and opportunity—of my life. Griffin would understand me leaving DayGlow for this. He had to.
“She wants in,” Peyton squealed.
“She hasn’t said a single word,” Ford said.
“She wants in,” Peyton repeated. “Look at that smile.”
“Juliette?” Ford asked.
