Sometimes Moments [Preview]

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Floating dance floor.

Peyton rubbed out the penciled design of the floating dance floor. It wasn’t a stupid idea; it just wasn’t very smart. There was a lot to consider: whether the dock would be bracketed onto a pier or if it would freely float. There was also insurance; no doubt someone would fall off it, so clauses and waivers would have to be drawn. It involved a lot of risk management, and in the end, Peyton decided against the idea. Instead, she’d figure out another ‘wow’ that was cemented to the ground and avoided drowning her guests.

Letting out a sigh, she screwed up her grade-three kind of diagram of the lake and placed it at an arm’s length from her. While she was rummaging through piles of paper to her left, she spotted the wedding menu Marissa had emailed her that morning. Once she’d gotten into her office, she’d printed the menu and the groom’s guest list and walked to the pub. She’d been tired of the silence that engulfed The Spencer-Dayle. She’d needed to hear more than just her own voice. And when she’d noticed Callum’s name on the groom’s guest list, Peyton had wanted to throw the glass vase that was to her right.

She didn’t want him back in her town. He had run and made the city his home. It had been two days since he’d asked for her forgiveness, and during those two nights, Peyton had stared at the ceiling of her bedroom, wishing that God hadn’t put him back on her path. He had already taken so much. She didn’t want anything more than to live a simple life.

Shaking her mind to clear the thoughts of him, she picked up the menu.

You don’t owe Callum Reid anything, Peyton.

“What did I tell you, Peyton? Can you help me out here? Just once I want to see your beautiful face in this establishment without some kind of paperwork in your hands. I run a pub.”

Peyton looked up from the wedding menu and rolled her eyes at Jay.

“Darling, I’m pretty sure that hotel of yours has an office,” Jay stated as he picked up her empty glass.

“It does,” Peyton confirmed and placed the sheet of paper on the table.

“And what are you doing bringing work in here?” he asked with a raised brow.

“Fine. It gets lonely.” Peyton deeply sighed and leant back into her chair, her eyes not meeting Jay’s.

When his silence reached an uncomfortable level, she peeked to see a frown on his face. Jay’s shoulders sagged before he walked over to the bar counter and placed her empty glass on it. Moments later, he took the seat next to her.

“I like to hear everyone’s voices, Jay. That’s why I like being here. It reminds me that this town had my back when I lost everything. I know I can be annoying and I take up too much room in your pub, but sometimes…it’s all I need,” Peyton said before he spoke first.

Before she could even react, Jay took her hands and leant forward, his eyes staring into hers.

“Peyton, my pub doors are always open for you. Every time I see you, you have papers in your hands. I say these little remarks hoping you tell me that you’re either getting them done early so you can hit a party or go to the next town or something. Anything other than the hotel. I keep waiting for you to tell me that you’re about to live your life.”

Peyton sighed. He was right. It was always work. She never went to the pub to just drink or hang out. She went to hear the voices of others who were living.

“Maybe one day when you ask me what I’m up to, I’ll have a more entertaining answer for you, Jay. One day, I’ll have one.” Peyton smiled before taking her hands back from his.