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Does that really make sense, Cason?
But by leaving she was admitting her guilt, right? She didn’t stay and fight to convince me I was wrong. I pace back to my living room, and look out over the water. My boat bobs in the sea and if it wasn’t so damn cold out, I’d sail away and forget the real world existed for a little while. But it does exist and I can’t hide from the harsh realities. Jesus, Londyn and I shared an incredible time together. We had so much, fit so perfectly. Just like we did back in college. Until her father ruined my life.
He didn’t just ruin you, dude.
I shove my phone into my pocket, and needing fresh air I head out the door. I walk aimlessly, pausing by the gazebo where the Christmas movie was filmed. My heart aches a little more as I consider Londyn’s kindness, her joy in helping the students with their costumes.
I take a breath but find it harder and harder to breathe. Eventually I find myself inside a bar, and I sit at the table and nurse a brandy, then another. A group of laughing women enter, and one of the girls makes eye contact with me. I practically snarl at her, even though she doesn’t deserve my anger. Before Londyn, I would have approached any one of those girls, but now, well, now I’m screwed. How can I be with anyone when my heart belongs to Londyn?
I scoff and finish my drink. Maybe I should go take one of them back to my place, maybe that’s the only way to get Londyn out of my system once and for all. My phone rings and my damn heart leaps, hoping it’s Londyn, and shaking my head because of it. I am such a goddamn fool.
I check the screen and a growl crawls out of my throat when I see it’s Roman calling. I think about ignoring it. If I don’t take the call, he’ll worry about me, the way he always does this time of year. We go way back to college and not only is he Hard Wear’s head web developer, he’s one of my closest friends, and he deserves better from me.
“Hey, Roman, what’s up?”
A pause and then, “You okay, buddy?”
“Perfectly fine. How was your holiday?”
Instead of answering, he says, “You sound like you’ve got something on your mind.”
“Just work stuff. New spring designs,” I say, wishing he couldn’t read me so well. “Listen, I was going to call you about Peyton.”
“Is she okay?” he asks, real concern in his voice. I smile at that. At least my buddy has my back and worries about my kid sister as much as I do.
“Yeah, I need a favor.”
“Anything for you, you know that.”
“She needs a pretend husband, as insane as that sounds.” The line goes quiet. Did he hang up on me? “Roman?”
“Uh, what are you talking about?”
“It’s for the teaching job in Malta.”
“Pretty sure I’m not your guy.”
Actually, he’s the perfect choice. Not only is he off women after his fiancée left him, he’d never mess with my kid sister and he’ll keep a close eye on her. As Hard Wear’s head web designer, he can work anywhere for a few weeks.
I’m about to explain when another call comes in. I check the display to see that it’s Peyton. Shit, she should have been in the air by now.
“I’ll call you later and explain. Peyton is calling and I have to take it.”
“Yeah, okay, buddy,” he says, his voice filled with uncertainty.
I take Peyton’s call. “Hey, was your flight delayed? Do you need me to come get you?”
“Where are you?” she barks at me.
I sit up a little straighter. “What the hell, Peyton?”
“I’m at the villa and you’re not here. Where are you?”
“I’m having a drink. I’ll come back right now. Is everything okay?”
“Everything is far from okay,” she says, and I’m already halfway out the door.
“I’ll be right there.” I hang up and practically run through the downtown core. I’m out of breath by the time I open my villa door and find Peyton glaring at me.
