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“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”
“I would stake my life and bakery on it,” she says seriously. “I have a feeling he came to service today to make sure you knew he was back in town and to deliver that message to you.”
“I’m so confused, Peyton. A part of me wants to tell him to fuck off and never speak to me again, and another part wants to beg him to stay.”
“Yeah, love will do that to you.” Peyton sighs. “But have you ever thought that you could have both?”
“Cuss him out and tell him how desperately I’m in love with him?”
“Yup.” Peyton pops the P, similar to how I did to her earlier. “You can be angry at him for leaving, but that doesn’t change the fact that you love each other.”
“Why do you say he loves me, too?”
“It’s written all over his face. Trust me, I know a thing or two about being in love.” Her mouth pulls up at the corner as she wraps her arm around my shoulder, pulling me into her side.
My entire body sags into her as I’m reminded of similar times. The two of us against the world. We were content to be each other’s support, a shoulder to cry on, and a hetero life mate. That was all before I saw Finn again.
As if on cue, my stomach rumbles loudly, and we both laugh loudly. “Sorry, I’m keeping you from lunch. I know how much you love Momma’s fried chicken.”
“I’ve been dreaming about Auntie Roberta’s fried chicken ever since church let out. I wouldn’t mind having some leftovers for tomorrow.”
“You know as well as I do my mom loves feeding people.”
“All you have to do is bat your long eyelashes, and she’ll give you anything you want. Hell, I’m sure she’ll even cook it for you.” We both giggle before stopping in front of another bench and taking a seat.
“Are you going to read the note?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know. Ummm…” My voice trails off, not knowing the right way to answer that question. “Well, what about you? I thought you hated Campbell’s guts, but your reaction to him earlier would say otherwise.”
“He’s hot and has a sexy-ass voice, but that’s it.”
I stop and turn toward my best friend. “That’s it?” I question. My eyes lock with hers, searching for any hint that she might be lying, but she refuses to look at me. A telltale sign that she’s lying through her teeth. “I’ll let you off the hook this time, but just think about it. There’s no rule that says you aren’t allowed to date him. I gave you my permission, after all.”
“Sure. I’ll get right on that, right after you tell Finn how much you love him and y’all live happily ever after.”
“We’re not talking about me.”
“Oh, yes, we were before you quickly changed the subject.” Peyton threads her arm through mine again as we continue walking. “You need to at least read the note he gave you and hear what he has to say.”
“You don’t understand. There is no way I can survive if he leaves me again,” I grumble, a single tear sliding down my cheek.
“Then you just have to make sure he stays.” Peyton wraps her hand around mine and gives it a squeeze. “I know you’re scared of being hurt. But you’ll never learn to fly if you don’t leap. You are the most loving person I know. You have a huge heart and so much love to give.”
I open my mouth to respond but snap it shut. I’m not entirely sure what’s going to happen between Finn and me, but the one thing I know is that I need to read that note.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
MARISSA
“How’s my favorite sheriff’s officer doing today?” my mom chirps as soon as we walk in the door, strolling past on her way to the dining room table with a huge plate piled high with fried chicken.
Peyton and I took our time coming back to my parents’ house. We didn’t talk, just walked around in silence, giving me time to think about everything that my momma and Peyton have said to me about Finn. No one expects to fall in love at first sight. This isn’t a fairytale where the prince swoops in and gives the princess the life she always imagined. This is real life, where I have people counting on me, too. I have responsibilities to fulfill to my parents, to the townspeople of Magnolia, and to myself. But somewhere down the line, all those things became shackles, holding me here instead of being the dreams I was striving toward.
It wasn’t until Finn left me two weeks ago that I realized that no matter how much I love Magnolia, dreams can change. I love Finn. I honestly don’t care where we live, as long as we’re together. We can be here, in Houston, or in Boise, Idaho. If we’re together, that’s what matters most to me. But how can I ask him to give up his life and take a chance on our love?
He’s spent every day marking my heart, branding my skin, wanting to show everyone who I belong to. This type of caveman behavior should be a turnoff, but knowing he wants me in such a primal way leaves me wanting more. I haven’t said the words, but I need to make my feelings for him known.
“I’m doing great,” Campbell responds as he reaches for a piece of chicken.
