Page 122 of Keepsakes and Kismet

I wipe my eyes, dragging in a wavering breath. “And if… If it was you who sent her, I just wanted to say that I’m eternally grateful.”

My voice is hoarse, cracking through the words. “She, uhm, she has the same shit you did, Ty. Epilepsy. And, sometimes, I still have these moments where I’m so fucking scared. I just want her safe, man.”

My nose burns from crying, tears freefalling off my chin. “So… I’m asking you for one last thing. I know that I’m the one who owes you, but if the stories are true, and everyone gets a guardian angel, I’d like for you to be hers. Can you watch over her, Ty? Can you do that for me? She deserves the best. And that’s you.”

I breathe out a shaky exhale. “Well, I think that’s it. I love you, man. I’ll always have love for you. Thank you for everything.”

I end the call.

And it’s at this moment I know for sure: death isn’t something that can be dismissed, and sadness isn’t something that can be solved. But confronting grief is a small act of valor. A different kind of victory, where there aren’t winners or losers. Just everyday people, like me, who might be a little braver than they were yesterday.

Dropping my phone into my gym bag, I swing it over my shoulder and head back to Peyton.

I believe what I told Tyler. But if it wasn’t him who sent her, then I guess our relationship could’ve simply been happenstance. A coincidence. Good timing.

Or maybe Peyton’s right.

Maybe, we were kismet.

The End

Epilogue

Peyton

Two Years Later

“Romy, why did we even agree to this job if we have zero details?” I brush a small leaf off the sleeve of my sweater dress and squint at the Waterton Greenhouse sign.

“Peyton, the client wanted to meet in person to explain. All I know is that it’s for an event next year, and they’ll give you more info soon.” I can sense her frustration all the way from the office through the phone.

I balance my phone on my shoulder while reaching down and pulling up my drooping knee socks. “Okay, but like, why do you keep saying client? Prue Carrington owns the greenhouse. Both you and I know this.”

Romy sighs. “I’ve already told you. Prue is out, so you’re meeting with someone else. A new employee. She told me their name, but I forgot.”

“We should’ve just sent Kai to this assignment,” I grumble.

Kai, our newest employee, just finished his training. He’ll be doing his first gig alone next week. It was tough at first, going through the interview and selection process with strange men, but Kai’s really great. Professional, kind, and good at his job. Just last month, he convincingly portrayed a protective boyfriend for a woman in Detroit. Now, that woman is dating the man she made jealous. Not the most rock-solid start to any relationship, but I wish her all the best.

Papers shuffle on the other end of the line. “They didn’t want Kai, they wanted you. Peyton, just go inside. I have work to do.”

I adjust my shoulder bag. “Damn, fine. Push your boss off the phone, then. I’ll talk to you later.”

We end the call, and I swing open the doors of the greenhouse. As soon as I see the khakis, polo, and wavy auburn hair, I know it’s my man standing there.

“Callum?”

He turns around with a smile, looking hot in his health inspecting uniform—my favorite. God, I love that slutty little bump cap. Even after two years together, it never gets old. Though, no matter how hard I’ve begged, he still won’t wear the hard hat in bed.

I walk toward him, my Docs crunching on the gravel pathway. I went with a comfortable, green bell-sleeve sweater dress today because Romy said the client wanted me to “come as myself.”

“Are you here to inspect something? Honestly, I’m glad to see you. This brief gave me nothing to work with. For all I know, I could be meeting the man who sells those Ghost-in-the-Jars in front of Francesco’s. Which, let’s be honest—it’s just air in there. Romy swears she saw one glow when she was in seventh grade, but I have my doubts.”

He shakes his head slowly. “I’m not here to inspect. I’m actually in need of Good Taste’s services.”

I grin. Okay… I’ll play along. “Oh? What for?”

He pushes his hair back from his face. “I need a plus one for an event in the future.”