Page 19

I drop down on the other end, keeping a respectful distance. “What did you pick?”

“You’ll see,” she singsongs and hits play.

The opening credits roll in and I recognize the soundtrack before the title comes on screen. “Notting Hill?” I ask, unable to hide my excitement. I love this movie. Rose and I have watched it more times than I can count.

“Well, that's definitely not the reaction I expected.”

“What? You think I'm too manly for romcoms?”

Peyton ducks her head with a sheepish expression. “Let's just say my ex would've rather watched paint dry than sit through a romcom with me. It's nice not having to defend my choice for once.”

I bite back the urge to ask why she ever had to defend something as harmless as a movie. We don't know each other well enough for that. But I've never understood people who make someone feel small over the things they enjoy, especially someone they claim to care about.

“Sounds like he missed out on a lot of good films.”

Peyton lets out a breath, her smile turning genuine. “I agree. It’s one of those movies that feels hopeful without trying too hard. Plus, Hugh Grant stumbling through life is weirdly relatable.”

“Let’s not forget Julia Roberts.”

“I would never,” she says with a laugh.

A sleepy sound comes from the baby monitor beside the couch and we glance toward it before relaxing when silence returns. I shift closer to Peyton, settling deeper into the couch cushions. Her subtle lavender scent lingers in the air, calming my mind further.

“I was jealous of his little, messy bookshop when I was younger,” Peyton shares after a while, her gaze fixed on the screen. “It was my dream to be like him.”

“You wanted to be a bookshop owner?”

“Or a florist,” she adds and pops a chip into her mouth. “I loved the idea of books stacked everywhere, little notes tucked between pages and the smell of new books. But then I spent my summers nannying for our neighbors during high school and realized how much I love children. That’s how I ended up studying early childhood development and education.”

“Do you hope to work within that field in the future?”

She goes quiet before answering. “I don’t know what I want to do exactly, but I’ll figure it out eventually. I haven’t done any real work in over two years.”

“Any place would be lucky to have you.”

Peyton glances over at me. “Thanks. I—I appreciate you saying that.”

I nod once before turning my attention back to the TV. A comfortable silence settles as the movie pulls us back in.

When the end credits start to roll, I realize Peyton has fallen asleep. Her glasses sit crooked on her face and her breathing is slow and even. Up close, I can see the faint shadows beneath her eyes, the ones makeup doesn’t fully hide. She crossed the country because her life blew up in front of half the people she knew. And now she’s curled up on my couch, resting peacefully. I’m glad she feels comfortable enough to relax in my presence.

I reach for the remote and turn the TV off. “Peyton, movie’s over,” I whisper, trying to wake her up.

She hums first before blinking sleepily. “Did I…fall asleep?”

“Just at the end. Come on, you should probably go to bed.”

She straightens slowly, pushing her glasses back into place. “I’m terrible company after nine.”

“You and Tilly share that in common,” I say as I stand, stretching the stiffness out of my back before holding my hand out toward her. Peyton slips her fingers into mine and lets me pull her to her feet.

She sways slightly and huffs under her breath. “Wow. I’m really out of it.”

I squeeze her hand. “You truly are. Time for bed,” I tell her, tipping my head toward the hallway.

“Still one of the most relaxing evenings I’ve had in a long time,” she says and lets go of my hand. And suddenly, mine feels cold.

“Anytime,” I reply, meaning the word. “Let's make sure it's not the last one.”