“Jay, where are the invoices from today’s del— Oh, hello, Peyton.” He smiled.

Peyton looked at him, wondering why he was being so sweet to her. He sounded genuine, considering that now the hotel and pub were no longer associated with each other.

To be nice, Peyton gave him a tight smile and said, “Hello, Mr Preston.”

“What the hell do you want?” Jay growled, annoyed.

Mr Preston dropped the clipboard on the counter with a bang. “I didn’t raise you to speak to women like that, Jayden. You apologise to Miss Peyton.”

Jay let out a short laugh. “I ain’t apologising to her. I will never apologise to an ungrateful bitch.”

And there was the truth. Peyton wouldn’t challenge him. Reaching into her back pocket, she pulled out the letter. She saw the startled look on Mr Preston’s face as his jaw dropped. Turning her attention towards Jay, she saw him eyeing the paper.

Ignoring the painful blows from his words, Peyton placed the termination notice on the counter and said, “It’s signed and dated. I’ve emailed a copy to my lawyer.”

Mr Preston picked up the letter and quickly read it. The moment he reached the last page, he winced. “Peyton, I had no idea he was doing this. Please retract this.”

“Dad, no! We don’t need her!” Jay roared.

Peyton saw the anger in Mr Preston’s eyes as he looked at his son.

“Are you crazy, Jay? We need her and that hotel. Why do you think we’ve lasted this long? That hotel brings in revenue for us. That hotel brings in revenue for the entire town!”

No matter how much Jay had hurt her, she didn’t want them to fight. “Mr Preston,” she said, and he turned to face her, an apology filling his eyes. “It’s signed. It’s legally binding. I retract it and we have a lot of issues on our hands. It’s easier and more affordable than arbitration and negotiation. Thank you for what this pub has done for the hotel.”

He shook his head. “I had no idea my son was going to do this, Peyton. The pub wasn’t in the best state when your parents approached me to sign a deal. When they came to town, they wanted to rebuild the hotel and include the town’s businesses. Your parents are what made this town strive.”

She ignored the remorseful look on Mr Preston’s face and looked over at his son. “You got what you wanted, Jay. I got perspective from your letter. You showed me what an awful person you can really be. You’re supposed to be my friend and you haven’t. You have too much pride. Like our businesses relationship, our friendship is over.”

He flinched like she had stabbed him in the chest. “You turned your back on this town. We’ve done nothing but be there for you.”

Peyton looked down for a moment, saddened by what he said. “I’m choosing me, not you or the town. I will always be here when you or the town need me. I’m not a horrible person. I will never turn anyone away.” She turned to Jay’s father and smiled. “Thank you for trusting my parents.”

Mr Preston frowned. “I am so sorry, Peyton.”

She wanted to reassure him, but she couldn’t. She wasn’t sure if things would be okay. But she believed in her hotel. She would make sure The Spencer-Dayle flourished. It would go through some darker times to make it to the light.

“Jay,” she said, getting his attention.

“What?”

She didn’t like the flare in his nostrils. She missed his grin, but she knew they wouldn’t be friends again.

“You’re welcome at The Spencer-Dayle any time you’d like.”

His eyes were wide in shock. “Why?”

Peyton gave him a smile and held the strap of her shoulder bag tight in her hand. “Because I’m not a spiteful person.”

Refusing to give Jay or his father time to reply, Peyton turned on her heel and walked out of the pub. When she hit the sidewalk, she looked out at the afternoon sky. She took a moment and appreciated that she was living a good life, no matter the pain she had endured.

By the time she got to her street, it was getting close to sunset. In the end, even though it would cost her financially, she felt free. It was time to finally start new and find people who supported her. It was about her heart’s choice. Callum and the hotel were a combined choice. He was what was rescuing it with his design. It would lure in more weddings.

She wanted a long bath to forget what a day she had. Jay’s betrayal stung, but she would get over it. He was not the friend she’d once known.

After turning for the steps that led to her front door, Peyton stopped at the sight of Callum sitting on a step with a bundle of pink cherry blossoms in his hand.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

He stood up, a smile on his face. “I needed to see you, Peyton. Your message had me driving back.”

“But Oliver’s—”

“You’re what’s important to me right now. You have no idea how much your message hurt me. It made me realise how little time we have and I didn’t want to waste it. Oliver knows.”

Peyton stepped in front of him and looked into those grey eyes she loved. No matter how much the ending would hurt her, she needed and missed him.

“I meant that message,” she said.

He nodded. “I know you do, Pey. But I would never find her. Not when she’s been here my entire life. If I could have forever with a wife, I’d want her to be you. No one could ever get me to fall hopelessly in love like you have.”

Words that mask our timely death.

“How long have you been waiting here?” she asked as she took the cherry blossoms from him.

“An hour. I thought I’d surprise you.”

“Are these from the tree?” she asked.

He nodded with a smile.

Peyton frowned at the beautiful flowers. Today had so many twists and turns and Callum’s surprised appearance had been one of them. But she couldn’t forget the fact that she had come between Madilynne and Graham and that Jay had terminated his business relationship with the hotel.

“Callum,” she said, looking up to meet his eyes.

“Yes, Peyton?”

She swallowed hard before she asked, “Do you believe in the hotel and me?”

His eyebrows met and his eyes filled with concern. “I’ve believed in you since we were kids. I’ve always believed that you would do great things for the hotel. I stand by this belief.”

Her eyes started to water. Jenny was right. He did believe in her—unlike Jay. She quickly wrapped her arms around him, her head resting on his hard chest, and she let out a sob.

“Thank you for coming back,” she cried as he circled his arms around her.

“I was always going to come back for you, Peyton. I just needed time. I just needed you to be patient with me,” he said, rubbing her back.

She held the cherry blossoms tighter in her hands as they rested against his back. This, she knew, was a sometimes moment. She knew that she would look back and smile on this memory. But she knew that imminent heartbreak was fast approaching them.

“Being in your arms, after everything… This goes against everything I believe in when it comes to you,” she said. “I’m meant to hate you, but instead, I’m foolishly and hopelessly in love with you.”

Callum held her tighter, like it was the last time he’d hold her. “I know, Peyton. Just know I’m sorry for what comes next. Only because I’m aware of how hard you’ve fought against me. You’ve defied your morals and beliefs…and your pride. I don’t deserve to have you in my arms, but I’m thankful to have you love me in the slightest. I’m so sorry for what happens next, Peyton. I am so sorry.”

He was talking about their end. The thought broke her heart, but she had always known what she was doing when it came to him. She had to prepare for life after him all over again.

I wouldn’t trade our sometimes for forever with anyone else.