Page 34 of Keepsakes and Kismet

Clover sighs. “Fuck. He’s been friendzoned.”

Ma swats at her arm gently. “Clover Elizabeth! Watch your language!”

“That was fast. They seemed into each other at the smoothie place. This isn’t ideal, but there must be something that can help his cause. Maybe a haircut,” Clementine mutters, pacing back and forth.

“I don’t need—” I cut myself off.

Because the truth is, I want to impress Peyton. And while I’m interested in being friends with her, I can’t deny my inherent attraction to her either.

I’ve never wanted more with someone. I didn’t even think it was possible at this point in my life, but with her… more is now a Peyton-shaped thought in my mind.

I look down at my outfit. A quilted gray jacket over a long sleeve polo and navy golf pants. Is it good enough? My watch tells me I have exactly one hour left until I have to leave for the club.

Scanning the faces of my loved ones, I ask them, “Do you really think I need a haircut?”

“Yes,” the entire family responds.

I exhale a resigned sigh.

Clover slides her phone in the back pocket of her jeans. “Get the scissors, Clementine. They’re in the kitchen junk drawer.”

“Jesus,” I mutter.

Chapter 8

Peyton

Men. All I see are men everywhere.

I can count on one hand the number of women in front of me as I get closer to the golf club’s entrance. I tug on the hem of my fleece-lined, oversized green sweater, which covers the majority of my polo dress. It’s chilly, but thankfully my layers, combined with the matching fleece-lined knee socks I’m wearing, keep me warm.

My work wear is more of a “costume” to me than anything else. If I were acting as myself, I wouldn’t be here at all. I may not be as opposed to country clubs as Romy, but golfing is not how I’d choose to fill my free time.

I adjust my visor and wonder what Callum will be wearing today. Given that he’s already doing us a favor, it didn’t feel right to dictate his clothing choices apart from the club’s dress code. I glance at my watch, hoping that he won’t be late—and not just from a professionalism standpoint. I also don’t want to be alone in this environment without him, which surprises me. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt comforted by the thought of a man by my side.

Romy’s reaction to finding out Callum was “my Callum” in our office was… interesting, to say the least. She seemed shocked, and not necessarily in a good way. But I’m confident that Romy wouldn’t have encouraged his participation in today’s event if she didn’t think highly of him, so it must be something else.

I check my watch again. Where is he? I retrieve my phone from my belt bag. I don’t like having it out during assignments, but I haven’t seen the organizer yet, so it should be fine.

“Peyton?”

I glance up and find a man walking in my direction from the club’s entrance. It’s Callum… I think?

But this Callum isn’t wearing a health inspector’s outfit, and this Callum’s hair isn’t practically covering his eyes. No, this Callum is wearing fitted golf pants and a quilted full zip jacket. This clean-shaven Callum has some sort of gel in his hair, securing his thick, slightly shorter waves in place.

This Callum is even more attractive than the Callum of last week, who was already distractingly attractive to begin with.

“Sorry. Um, do I look okay? Is this outfit correct?”

Caught completely off-guard, I realize that I’ve been staring at him in silence.

Before I can even open my mouth to answer his question with a tamer, professional version of you look extremely hot and very correct, he starts speaking again.

“I actually brought two changes of clothes if this isn’t right. Initially, I only had one backup outfit, but Clover said it looked ‘emotionally confusing’ and got me another one at the sporting goods store. I’m parked nearby, because I got here thirty minutes ago. It won’t take me long to grab it. My truck’s just over there.”

I wordlessly turn in the direction he’s pointing, and confirm that yes, a truck is parked in the very first spot.

As I face him again, I gather myself and say, “You look perfect.”