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Chapter Seven
Peyton
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“Hey, Dad.” I pressmy cell phone to my ear as I readjust the purse strap on my shoulder. “I’ll be right in,” I tell Henna, covering the receiver with my hand.
She nods, following Aaron and Abel into the restaurant.
“What’s up?” I lean against the brick wall a couple of feet from the door.
“Just calling to see how you are. You know, it wouldn’t kill you to pick up the phone and call your old man every once in a while.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” I immediately feel guilty. “I’ve been so busy between work and Sam’s upcoming wedding. I swear I haven’t had time to breathe.”
“That’s right. I forgot your friend is getting married,” he says distantly, like he’s saying it to himself and not me. “When is the wedding again?”
“Tomorrow. I’m actually at the rehearsal dinner now.”
“Oh.” He pauses. “I didn’t realize it was so soon. I won’t keep you, but I wanted to invite you over for dinner next Saturday. Tina is making pot roast.” He knows I can’t resist my stepmother’s famous pot roast.
“Um, yeah, I should be able to make it. What time?”
“Six?”
“Six works for me.” I shuffle my feet. “I really should get going, Dad,” I say, nervously peeking through the glass doors of the restaurant to see that our party has already been seated.
“Okay, sweetie. Have fun.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too.”
I wait until the call disconnects before dropping my cell back into my purse and quickly making my way inside.
I step into the lobby and scan the open room. When I spot Sam and the rest of the wedding party standing next to the far-right windows, I head in that direction.
By the time I make it to the table everyone has already begun to claim their seats. I scan the long line of chairs, finally spotting an empty one at the end across from Henna.
It isn’t until I reach the empty seat that I realize who’s sitting in the chair directly next to it. I look for another option, but unfortunately, there isn’t one.
It would figure. Out of the twenty some people in attendance, I would get stuck next to the one person I promised myself I would stay away from. The heavens really are against me right now.
“Everything okay with your dad?” Henna asks as I slide down into the chair, draping my purse across the back of it.
“Yeah, he wanted to invite me to dinner next weekend.”
“He probably misses having you around.”
“It’s been nearly a year and a half since I moved out,” I remind her. “I’m sure he’s used to it by now.”
“Even still, I bet it gets lonely in that big house, only him and Tina.”
“Who’s Tina?” Abel chimes into the conversation, and even though I tell myself not to look at him, I can’t stop my eyes from swinging in his direction.
“Step-mom,” I answer shortly.
