Page 70 of Keepsakes and Kismet

“Thanks,” I mumble into her shoulder, though I don’t feel proud of myself. If I told Ma the truth of what happened today, maybe she wouldn’t be as eager to compliment me on a job well done.

Ma steps back and hugs Peyton next. Peyton stiffens briefly, and I wonder if I should step in. With her friends, touch didn’t seem to bother her at all. But I’m not sure how comfortable she is with my family yet. Before I can finish the thought, she visibly relaxes and leans into the hug. Her eyes close, an expression of joy mapped across her face that likely matches mine. I know she doesn’t have the deepest relationship with her parents, and I don’t mind sharing my own if Ma makes Peyton this happy.

They break their embrace, and I loop my arm around Peyton’s waist to prevent Dad from sweeping her into a hug. “Well, we have to get going. Best of luck finding your daughters.”

They wave us off, and Peyton and I walk out of the festival side-by-side.

She releases a happy sigh. “If I could describe my perfect day, it would’ve looked nearly identical to today. Thank you. For meeting all of my friends, for being you, just… Thank you, Callum.”

I feel simultaneously better and worse about my decision not to tell her about my trigger. I’m glad I didn’t burden her with what happened and bring down her mood. At the same time, I know that I need to open up to her soon.

We both slow to a stop in front of her office, and she turns to give me a hug.

I kiss the top of her hair. “Hey, Pey?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to run into me tomorrow?”

Chapter 16

Peyton

Having a functional stepladder is very handy, as it turns out. Being able to reach for things in this back closet has already made my life immensely easier. All thanks to Callum, of course.

He said this particular brand of stepladder is the “gold standard for compact safety.” He had a whole speech about “deep treads” and “handrails,” but I was too distracted by the sage green of it all to listen closely.

“You found a stepladder with these green vine decals on it?” I asked him when he showed up at Good Taste unannounced, ladder in tow.

“Oh. Um, Clover said that the stepladder was ugly. And I didn’t want it to, like, screw up your business or something, so I just got some decals that reminded me of the walls at your office.”

I can’t stop thinking about him. My mind wanders to his chin dimple at the most inconvenient times. I should already be back in the front, decorating with Romy, but I’m pining after these damn ladder stickers.

I need to pull myself together—we’ve already made plans to see each other after he finishes his inspection at the food truck down the block. Focusing back on the task at hand, I grab the winter decorations box on the top shelf before heading back to the front.

“I want to hear all about the Harvest Festival,” I tell Romy, setting down the big cardboard box.

“You first,” she replies dryly.

I wag a finger at her. “Nuh uh. You’re not getting out of this one.” I cut through the tape on top of the box with scissors. “Didn’t you go with the guy you’ve been seeing? Asher?”

Romy sighs. “The only place I’ll be seeing Asher from here on out will be family reunions.”

I drop the scissors. “You’re kidding.”

Romy smacks her lips together. “Third cousin. It’s not illegal, but it feels illegal.”

“What about Leah? You two were really sweet together.”

“Moved to Chicago. Not the small-town type.” She reaches in for the strand of silver twinkle lights and hands me one end. “But enough about me. What’s the tea with Cal at the festival?”

“What do you mean?” I string up my side, winding it around a tack in the wall.

“I saw him with this other dude in front of a tree behind the donut and cider line.”

I raise an eyebrow. “What other dude?”

“This tall guy.” Romy tacks up her side of the wall. “Dark hair, light brown skin…”