Slouching down in her chair, she sighed. “I know.”
“You need to go out and do something just for you. Go get a pedicure or binge on some of your favorite foods. Give yourself a night to have one last pity party and start tomorrow fresh.”
“It’s much more fun going for a pedicure when you’re with me. And it would be even better if we were at the spa you always talked about opening one day. What happened to that?”
Sighing, Parker replied, “You know me, I’m flaky like that. Big dreams and no discipline to make it happen. Besides, I think we both know I’d probably suck at it.”
“Parker…”
“And don’t go changing the subject! This is about you needing to move on from all this hater-rage you have!”
It had been two weeks and Peyton knew her sister was right. This anger wasn’t getting her anywhere and maybe it was time to move on and just forget about Ryder Ashford and the property. Of course, that wouldn’t be completely possible since he was such good friends with Austin and Garrett–and probably half the town–but that didn’t mean she had to let him live rent-free in her head.
“You’re right, Parks. I think I’m going to cut out of here and go do something. Hopefully clear my head.” She was about to say more when there was a knock on her office door. “Come in!”
Dana opened the door and walked in carrying a white box with a giant gold bow on it and Peyton immediate groaned.
“What? What’s going on?” Parker asked.
“I’m going to throttle Austin; that’s what’s going on.”
“You lost me.”
With an apologetic smile, Dana put the box down on Peyton’s desk before quickly leaving the room. “Austin’s clearly mentioned some things that I like. This is the third box to arrive this week,” she murmured.
“Third box of what?”
Cradling the phone against her shoulder, she carefully opened the box and sighed. “More chocolates.”
“Ooh…you love chocolate! You’re like the ultimate chocoholic! It’s like…wait. Who’s sending you candy?”
“Ryder.”
“Oh my God! We’ve been on the phone for almost an hour and you’re just now telling me about the chocolates? What kind are they? Are they yummy? Does he send a card? Has he asked you out? What’s going on? Details, Peyton! I need details!”
“There isn’t much to tell,” she said wearily, as she began picking which piece to sample first. “On Monday a box arrived from a chocolatier in Paris. Yesterday one came from Switzerland, and today’s is from…oh, back to Paris. So yeah. There you go.”
“That was the worst story ever,” Parker deadpanned. “Seriously, how are you so blasé about this? Gourmet chocolate from around the world and you’re just like…meh. What is wrong with you?”
“This is Ryder’s MO, I’m guessing. He just throws money or expensive gifts at people to get his way. It’s not a big deal.”
“Well…it kind of is a big deal.”
“Why?”
“Pey, think about it. He has nothing to get his way about. Technically, he won. He got the property. End of story. Why does he need to send you anything?”
Good question.
“There was the job offer,” she murmured. “You know, the one where I was a consultant for him.”
“And you didn’t take it…why?”
Another good question.
Looking back, Peyton knew it was because, in the moment, she was furious with him. She still was. But the idea of consulting and maybe having a little something to say about what he brought into Magnolia Sound was tempting. Unfortunately, she didn’t think she could work with him. Not only because it would be a constant reminder of what he’d cost her, but she had a feeling she’d be majorly distracted by him. Ryder Ashford was just larger than life, and sexier and more masculine than any man she’d ever been around.
The image of him in his tuxedo came to mind, and it was almost enough to make her sigh.
Stop it! He’s the devil!
“Um…Peyton?”
“Oh, sorry! My mind wandered.” She popped a white chocolate truffle into her mouth and moaned with pleasure. “Damn that’s good.”
“I’m so jealous of you right now!” Parker said, and Peyton could practically see her pouting. They shared a love of candy and if her sister were here right now, half the box would already be gone. “You have a seriously hot guy practically begging for your attention and gourmet chocolate. Your life is so much better than mine.”
“I’m not so sure…”
“Okay, I need to go. I’ve got some dogs to walk and you need to go and get a pedicure while eating chocolate and drinking wine. Go and enjoy yourself and I’ll talk to you soon.”
“You sure you don’t want to come home? I’ll save you some chocolate.”
“You’re adorable, but I’m good. Although…if you see Ryder, maybe tell him it will help him get on your good side if he sends some of those truffles to me!” With a laugh, she added, “And maybe some chocolate-covered strawberries! I love those things.”
“You’re ridiculous. Go. I love you.”
“Love you too! Go pamper yourself!”
She hung up and took another truffle and popped it into her mouth. She hated how good they were. Well, not hated, but…it would be easier to keep despising Ryder if he sent her subpar chocolates. But no, leave it to him to find the most decadent candy on the planet and send it to her wrapped up in a big, beautiful bow.
The bastard.
Placing the lid back on the box, she picked it up along with her purse and phone and walked out of the office. It was a little after four and the dinner crowd hadn’t come in yet, so she was able to leave without too much fuss.
A pedicure did sound good, but she wanted to run home and change first.
And drop off her chocolates so they didn’t melt in the car.
Once she was home, however, the thought of going out suddenly wasn’t quite so appealing. Her house was a small rental right on the beach. Her brother had rented it back before he met his wife, Scarlett, and they’d lived there together until their house was built. Peyton loved the little place and was mildly envious of it, so when Mason was ready to move out, Peyton took over the lease. It was her own little haven and maybe what she needed was to soak in a hot bath, sip some wine, eat some chocolate, and maybe walk along the beach to unwind. As soon as the thought was out there, she knew it was what she was going to do. Besides, going for pedicures was only fun when it turned into a girls’ day with either a friend, her sister, her cousin…
With a soft sigh, she decided she was going to take the bath first–with a small tray of chocolate and a glass of wine–and then go for the walk. In the bathroom, she ran the water, added some bath salts, and clipped her long hair up before going back out to the kitchen to prepare her tray.
On her way back to the bathroom, she turned on some soft music and began to feel herself relax. But as soon as she was naked and submerged in the fragrant water and biting into yet another truffle, all the tension left her body.
“So good,” she moaned, and wondered why she didn’t indulge like this more often. The water was hot, the chocolate was sweet, and the wine was smooth. All in all, it was absolute perfection. All thoughts of work, properties, and consultation offers were pushed aside and in their place were thoughts of making an appointment to go for a massage, ordering herself a pizza for dinner, and looking into flying down to Florida to see her sister. By the time the water cooled, Peyton felt like a wet noodle and it was glorious.