Sometimes Moments (Sometimes Moments, #1)(49)

She pressed her lips together before she breathed out heavily. It was time to have the what-you-said-during-sex talk.

“When did you say those words?” she asked.

“I’ve said it three times in my life,” he said and walked past her.

Peyton quickly turned around and saw him walking up towards the hotel. “Three?” she called out, and he stopped.

He turned around and gripped the blanket tighter in his hand. “The first time was when you were sick in bed. I told you that I loved you and you said that you loved Mrs West’s cat. But you also said that you were sure you were in love with me. The second time was when you were in hospital. I was sure you were okay when I said it to you, but you quickly passed out. And the last time I said them was in the car as I left this town. But there was a fourth time. The night I packed up my things, your dad saw us load the cars.”

Her heart halted silently.

My dad.

Peyton took two steps forward and asked, “What did you say to him?”

He looked her straight in the eye. Without a blink, Callum said, “I’m in love with your daughter, Mr Spencer. I love her enough to do this to her.”

Her eyelids fluttered quickly at him. Her father had known that Callum was leaving. He’d kept it from her. Callum had confessed his love to her father but never her. He’d been a coward then just as he was now.

“You obviously didn’t love me enough, Callum. Love isn’t hurting someone like you did. Love isn’t what you’ve done or been doing for over four years.” Peyton paused. “Tonight was a mistake. Holding hope you’d come back was a mistake. Being with you at seventeen was a mistake. Loving you, Callum, is a mistake!”

He didn’t flinch. It was like he had expected it. He gave her a sad smile before he said, “Thank you.”





Madilynne: I hate you. I hate you so much!

Peyton: What for this time?

Madilynne: Because I have to return to that stupid town!

Peyton: So I’m guessing that you haven’t left yet.

Madilynne: No. I’ve packed and unpacked several times. Since we’re best friends, would you just give me the recommendation for my resume?

Peyton: You know I would.

Madilynne: And that is why I love you. But word spread quickly. My folks know that I’m coming home. Can’t run now. I’ll see you in a few days. Be a good girl until then.



Peyton locked her phone and put it in her jacket pocket. She could last a few days until her best friend came back to Daylesford. By the time Mads returned, Peyton would be busy with prepping the hotel for reopening and for the Reynolds’ wedding. She’d be too busy to deal with Callum.

Peyton’s shoulders sagged and she let out a sigh. The soreness between her legs didn’t help with forgetting him. Neither did the revelation that he had somehow loved her when they were seventeen. Not now. But then. It was Peyton who loved him now and then.

Shaking her head, she opened the front door and stepped outside, closing it behind her. She immediately hugged the jacket around her tighter. It was bitterly cold out and fog was in the air. She smiled, knowing just how beautiful the lake would look.

Peeking up, she stared at the Reid house. She’d been stupid to sleep with him, only because it meant more self-inflicted pain. After Callum had said, “Thank you,” he hadn’t said anything else. Instead, he’d walked her home. It had been different from their last night. When they were seventeen, it had taken them almost an hour for Peyton to sneak back into her room. They had sat under the cherry blossom tree until he’d decided it was best that she got back inside before her parents had discovered she’d snuck out.

I have to stay away.

The temptation to walk up to the house across the road swept through her. She wanted to speak to him. She also wanted to feel his lips on her again. Feel him close to her. But she couldn’t. The safe word had to be said out loud. Last night had been the ending. Nothing more.

Peyton slipped her hands into her jacket pockets and quickly walked down the steps. She needed to get to the lake and fast. There was no time to dwell on Callum Reid. She had already spent four and a half years doing so.

By the time she got to the bench, the lake was clear. She sat down and stared out at the lake, loving the way the fog didn’t touch the water’s surface. Instead, it rolled over, allowing the lake water to have its own space to breathe. One of the many reasons why she loved Daylesford. It was beautiful. There was no denying it.

Reaching into her pocket, Peyton pulled out her phone to check the time and the date. She wasn’t imagining the date. It was the first Monday of the month and just after eight a.m.; Graham was never late. Peyton was never the first on the bench. It was always Graham who was there waiting for her. With a victorious smile, she settled onto the bench and waited.

After almost an hour had passed, Peyton unlocked her phone and brought up Graham’s number. She looked over at the hotel, knowing that she was keeping Jenny, the hotel’s operations manager, waiting. With a deep breath, she called Graham.

“Hi, Graham Scott here. Can’t make it to the phone. Leave your details and I’ll get back to you.”

Peyton hung up and tried again.

And again.

And again.

The fourth time, she placed her phone on her lap and ran her hands over her face. Graham was never one to skip their tradition. Even when he was sick, he still made it.