Chapter 26
Twenty-Six
Callie
Peter is gone when I wake up. I vaguely remember his lips on my cheek, but I thought I was dreaming.
Everything about last night was perfect. The food and company. I was bummed Peter was late.
Each insecurity I had when I was with Conrad crept its way into my gut. It took everything in me to push them away. Peter isn’t anything like Conrad. He’s kind, giving, and bends over backward for those he cares about. He’s always been that way.
“You’re finally up.” Lexi says as she walks into my room. “You should probably get ready.”
She’s dressed in a sweater and jeans. A touch of mascara darkening her lashes. “Where are we going? I didn’t think we had any plans today.”
“We didn’t…until I remembered I need things for my sleepover with Abby.” She runs her fingers through a strand of hair and mutters something under her breath.
“What was that?” She only talks like that when she’s not ready for me to hear whatever she wants me to buy. We go through this all the time, you’d think she’d stop.
“I said and to find you a dress for Friday night.” She turns and exits the room to avoid an argument.
There are a ton of dresses in my closet. I don’t need a new one. I throw the blankets off me and hurry over to make sure I’m not lying to Lexi…or myself. The hangers scrape against the rod and I’m beginning to think I should have had coffee before going on this endeavor.
That one is frumpy. Too bright. None of the dresses can pass for a date night dress. A black one catches my eye and I pull it off the hanger. I haven’t worn this one in years. I wonder if it still fits.
I change from my pajamas into the dress. It’s a little snug, but it’ll pass. My steps are slow as I walk into Lexi’s room.
“Absolutely not.”
“Why? It’s an appropriate length and goes with heels I already have.”
“Mom.” She covers her face with one hand and shakes her head. “You look like you’re going to a funeral. Is that the message you want to send Peter on Valentine’s of all days?”
I move to her full-length mirror on her closet door. “It’s not that bad.”
“It’s not that good, either.” She mutters loud enough for me to hear. “Look, I was told to make sure you buy a dress you love today. I’m not going to break that agreement.”
She was told? “Who did you make this agreement with?”
“Peter.” She shrugs and reaches into her bag, pulling out a card. “He said to get what I need for the sleepover and buy you a dress. Don’t freak out, he told me not to go wild.”
I reach for the card in her hand and she yanks it back.
“We can’t let him pay for our things. I have a job.”
“Mom, he knows that. He’s trying to help.”
Clearly, I’m not going to win this argument with my teenage daughter. I turn on my heel and march back to my room. My phone is on my nightstand and when I reach for it, there’s a message from Peter.
Peter
Good morning gorgeous. I didn’t want to wake you. Have fun today.
Instead of texting him back, I hit the button to call him. It rings four times before he answers.
“We cannot use your card to go shopping. What were you thinking giving a fifteen-year-old your credit card?”
There’s a noise coming from the other end of the line. At first, I think it’s wind or something, but then I realize. He’s…laughing.
“Lexi is responsible. I have zero worries giving her my card. I would have given it to you, if I thought you would actually take it.”
“Because you know—”
He cuts me off. “I want to do this for you. I know you have a job and all that jazz, but let me do this for you. Consider it a Valentine’s gift for both you and Lexi.”
“It’s too much, Peter. You’ve already done so much for us.”
“Because I wanted to. Please, let me have this. If it’ll make you feel any better, you can pay for the wine.”
“Um, no. You get that with the tickets for the event.”
“How do you know?”
“I was talking to Parker about it last night. But he also said you and your date are free because y’all own the place. So, nice try.”
“Fine, we’ll think of something else. You can take me out to eat one night.”
This man infuriates me sometimes, even if I appreciate what he’s trying to do. Everything he’s done for us has been out of kindness. He expects nothing in return. There’s no use arguing with him because he’s not going to back down.
“Fine.”
“Thank you.” I can hear the smile in his voice. Dammit, why am I smiling? “You and Lexi have a fun girl’s day. I’ll come by after we get off work.”
“Okay.” I love you is on the tip of my tongue, but it’s too soon for that. I can’t forget we’re just now getting together even if we’ve known each other our whole lives and I’ve loved him just as long. “See you later.”
“Bye.” He hangs up as soon as the words leave his mouth.
We had to go to the next town over. As much as I love Asheville, they don’t have much in the way of clothing stores. Well, except for the boutique ones. And I’m not that type of girl.
“Mom, come look at this dress.” Lexi calls from a couple of sections down. She could have come and got me. Not yell at me from across the store. I’m pretty sure I did the same thing at her age, though.
I hurry over to where she’s standing so she doesn’t disturb the other shoppers. She’s holding up a bright red dress. It’s strapless and looks way too short for me to wear. It looks more like something she would wear to a formal dance.
Except it is beautiful. If I were about seventeen years younger, I’d snatch it up in a heartbeat.
“Absolutely not.” Lexi shoves the dress at me. “My butt would hang out.”
She rolls her eyes. “It’s a form-fitting dress, Mom. It’s going to fit you like a glove.” Grabbing my arm, she leads me toward the dressing room. “Please, try it on.”
She’s pleading with me. I’ll try it on to humor her. Maybe then she’ll see I’m much too old for this dress. “Fine.”
“Is this what it feels like when you force me to try on clothes during school shopping?”
“Probably.”
“Yikes. Remind me to remember this moment.”
I roll my eyes and go into an empty room and begin stripping off my t-shirt and leggings. Now I need to put the dress on. It looks like I need to slide it up my body isn’t of the over. I can’t reach the zipper, though.
Cracking open the door, I whisper for Lexi. “Can you help me?”
I turn around so she can’t see the full look. She tries to get on her tiptoes to see the mirror, but I block her.
“This is so unfair.” She mutters as she pulls up the zipper.
I smooth out the dress and take a step to the side to let her in the room with me. “What do you think?”
Lexi’s eyes widen and she claps her hands. “I think I told you so. Mom, you look hot!”
I don’t know about that part. But…I love it. It hugs my curves in all the right places. The dress is shorter than I would normally wear, way shorter. My butt doesn’t hang out, though. Even my legs look longer.
“Do you think Peter will like it?” Is it weird that I’m asking my teenager this? Under normal circumstances, I’d probably say yes. However, she’s been orchestrating this since she saw the way we interacted that first night we saw each other.
“If he doesn’t, he’s dead to me.” She twirls her finger for me to spin around. “Actually, you might make him pass out.”
She’s ridiculous. “Let’s hope he doesn’t.”
“Now, we need to find you the perfect shoes and accessories.”
“Didn’t Peter tell you not to go wild?” I give her a stern look.
“Mom, that dress is discounted. I know how to shop, I learned from the best.” She grins at me. “Get changed so we can finish the look.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I laugh and turn my back to her. “Can you undo the zipper now?” She does what I ask and heads back in the hallway. “I’ll be out in a few.”
I change and put the dress back on the hanger. Never in a million years did I think I would look good in a dress like this. Even when I was Lexi’s age, I never would’ve had the confidence. That all changes today.
I open the door and Lexi is still grinning from ear to ear. “Let’s get the rest of the outfit. Oh, and I think I know what kind of pajamas I want to get for the sleepover.”
“What about the gifts?”
“I’m thinking mini spa kits we can do while we’re there. You know face masks and stuff like that.”
“Good idea.” I fold the dress over my arm and we make our way to the shoe department. “Peter is coming over after he gets off work. I’m thinking pizza for dinner.”
“I could eat pizza.” She sees the aisle of heels and she’s off. It’s going to be a long afternoon.
“Did you find a dress?” Peter asks as he brings his plate to the table.
“Yep.” I refuse to give him any hints about it.
“You’ll love it,” Lexi adds before taking a bite of her food. “And I’m all set for my sleepover. I’ll give you your card after dinner. It’s in my room.”
“Sounds good.” His foot touches my foot under the table. “I can’t wait to show you off.”
I snort and cause everyone to laugh. “We’ll see.”
After a few more bites, Peter clears his throat. “I have a bit of bad news, but it’s not Pierce related. It’s all Piper’s fault this time.”
“Did something happen with the event?” I’d hate for her to hit a snag in something she’s excited about. She was telling me all about it during dinner last night.
“No, we have the caterers set and all that. Whoopsie Daisy is going to come out and do the floral arrangements for the tables. But…Piper needs to hang a million lights in the trees, which is going to take me a while. So, I’ll be working late.”
“Oh.” I can’t help the way my voice falls. He’s nothing like Conrad. It’s the line I have to repeat in my head.
“But, I can come here when I leave. Or, y’all can come to my place.
” He takes another bite of his pizza and his eyes widen as if a lightbulb went off in his head.
“Even better, you can come to the winery. I’ll be working, but I’m sure Piper would love some help with her vision.
She’s refusing any input from us guys, even Parker. ”
That actually sounds kind of fun, and I love hanging out with his sisters. “What do you think Lexi?”
“I’m totally in. I can even bring a book to read if I get bored.”
“Or, your homework.” I glance at her.
“Yeah, yeah.” She waves me off. “If I have homework, I’ll bring it. Just suck all the fun out of it.”
“Homework should come first.” Peter adds.
“As if you ever stayed on top of it.” I shake my head at him. “How many times did you turn in late assignments and have to do extra credit so you wouldn’t upset your mom?”
“Which is why I said it comes first.” He sticks his tongue out at me.
“Are you staying the night again?” Lexi asks before taking her plate to the sink.
“I’m not sure.”
“Please. I want to show you the stuff I got to take to Abby’s. And maybe watch a movie.”
Peter glances over at me to see if it’s okay. He may take care of me in every other way, but he lets me know this choice will always remain with me.
“I’m fine with it. But I get to pick the movie.”
These are the nights I’m beginning to love. Nothing extravagant, just a quiet evening with two of my favorite people.