Just Convenience

Chapter 4

Peyton's POV: 

Sunday, the day I had been dreading, finally arrived, and I still hadn't figured out a solution to my 'girlfriend' issue. Holter was of no help, and neither was Beth, the latter of which offered some of her friends who would, in her words, "Looove to date a fucking sexy man like you." I quickly evaded her pushing by telling her that, though her friends were pretty, weren't my type. She seemed a bit upset at first, but once Holter affirmed that she was beautiful and her friends were beautiful, she calmed down. 

Miles was no help either and told me that I should just date someone in the company to get my mom off my back. The problem was there was no girl at the firm that caught my eye. Of course, that was a slight lie; I hadn't been able to stop myself from thinking about Ms. Felter and her annoying little habit of chewing on her hair and how I wanted to take the hair out of her mouth myself. 

I remembered her interview clearly, like how I remember most things clearly; she was smart, a bit shy, but overall the best candidate for the position. She was already making great strides toward promotion at the end of the year if she kept up the good work. Miles seemed to get along with her and seemed to know her pretty well. 

When we talked about it yesterday, he said, "All I can tell you is she is in a bit of a situation herself and could be of help for your 'girlfriend' situation." 

"That's all you can tell me?" I asked, and he nodded. 

"That's all I can tell you, but maybe reach out; I can give you her number." 

I told him that that wouldn't be needed, but he took my phone and put it in any way. I told him that I could have gotten the number myself by looking through employee files. He just retorted that that would be stalkerish, and no one wanted to date - or even fake date - a stalker. 

My phone rang, knocking me out of my train of thought. Holter, Beth, and I were sitting at the island in the kitchen eating breakfast, and I looked at the caller ID; I saw that it was Mom and didn't swipe answer. I just let it ring out till she went to voice mail. She called again, and we all watched till it went to voice mail once more. She tried two more times before Holter broke the awkward silence, "You can't ignore her forever." 

"I can try." 

He raised his eyebrow at that, "I never knew you to back away from a fight." 

"That would be Blithe you are thinking of," I said, and Holter sighed. 

"Who do you think our sister learned it from?" 

"You?" 

Beth watched our conversation with hooded eyes, and I remembered how late they had stayed up drinking last night. She looked like she was going to pass out right there. Holter, noticing too, rubbed circles in his girlfriend's back. "I'm serious, though; you can't run from her forever." 

"Who said I was going to run forever?" I asked, and my phone rang again. It went to voicemail, and Holter gestured to it as proof, "I'll call her later when I can think of a solution." 

"That might not be a possibility," He said, and I eyed him suspiciously. 

"Why do you say that?"

He flinched at the tone in my voice before answering, "Because," he started slowly, "Mom texted me and told me that she would be coming this afternoon to see us." 

I cursed. "What time?" 

Holter shrugged, "She didn't say," I gave him another look, and he caved, "In an hour, she said that she was coming in an hour." I cursed again. 

Ignoring my once again ringing phone, I left the kitchen to get ready. I changed out of pajamas and into a pair of blue jeans and a dark grey sweater; it was casual enough for a day off yet dressy enough to please my mom. I poked my head into the living room and asked, "Is dad coming too?"