You’re acting unprofessional, Peyton. He means nothing in your life now.
With a firm nod, Peyton retrieved the file from her desk. She hadn’t connected the dots that it would be his wedding. But, then again, she only had Marissa Reynolds’ approved guest list, not the fiancé’s.
Peyton turned and walked to the door. She drew in another breath to calm her nerves and reminded herself that he was just a guest.
When she opened the door, she stepped out of her office to find him standing in front of the photograph of the lake. His eyes held a sad glance as he stared at it intently. It had been taken at the small hill just before the lake; the sky was purple and red and the water had sparkled. The memory of watching him take the photograph would always be burned in her memory. It was in that moment, when he’d been unaware that she was staring at him, that she had known she was in love with him.
She pushed that one good memory of them away and cleared her throat. The sad look remained in Callum’s eyes, but she ignored the way it pulled her in. The way he had always done so.
“Mr Reid, if you would like to accompany me around the hotel, I can show you how Marissa has planned out the wedding.” Peyton gestured to the door and held the file tight.
“Mr Reid? Is that how we are doing this?” he asked raising a brow at her.
The sad eyes were gone. Instead, they looked fascinated by her. She’d have to make sure that twinkle was extinguished. That same twinkle had been persuasive in her losing her virginity to him.
“Yes.”
“Well, then. If you wish, Miss Spencer.”
His voice had a warmth to it, and she didn’t like the way her name on his lips made her heart jump.
Settle down, you stupid vital organ. Remember, he broke you! Shattered you to the point where you thought you might as well be dead. Better not let me down.
Stepping out of the hotel, she guided him out the back and past the conservatory. Then she stopped just by the cleared grass and took out the detailed map of the wedding.
Placing the file under her arm, she held up the map.
“As you can see, Mr Reid, we’ll have the post in and the frames up in the next few weeks. Once stained—to the colour your fiancée has chosen—fairy lights will be wrapped around the rafters and lanterns will light the path and around the wooden slates. The dusk will provide enough light to see the lake as you have your first dance together.”
Saying it out loud, she realised just how beautiful their wedding would be. She looked out at the lake and let the sadness consume her chest.
Just this one time.
A laugh echoed behind her. She turned around to see him laughing and shaking his head.
“Is there a problem, Mr Reid?” Peyton asked, a little annoyed.
He let out another chuckle before composing himself and returning his hands in his pockets. Then he shrugged at her. “Of course not, Miss Spencer. The wedding sounds beautiful.”
That, they could both agree on.
After walking across the grass, she stopped at the end of the cliff and turned to face him. His grey eyes still held beauty to them, and she held the map tight between her fingers, crushing it.
“And the lake’s pier and bridge will be the place where the photos will be taken,” she said, pointing at both structures.
“I’m sure Marissa will like that.”
Peyton ignored the little pang of jealousy she felt and led him towards the guesthouses, though she wasn’t sure why she bothered. He’d grown up in this town. He knew it better than anyone else. But still, Peyton showed him around The Spencer-Dayle, ensuring that he wouldn’t change his mind when it came to the location of his wedding.
When she finished the tour, she led them back to the hotel lobby. She stood next to the front desk and stared at the amused grin on his face. Callum ran his hand through his hair before he sighed.
“So, Mr Reid?” Peyton said, cutting to the chase.
“Cut the ‘Mr Reid’ bullshit, Peyton. It’s Callum and you know it. I get it. I’m the last person you want to see—”
“You’re right about that,” Peyton said, interrupting him.
Callum flinched. “But you didn’t have to give me a tour of the hotel. I know it like I know your body, Peyton. And I know it very well.”
Peyton tensed. She didn’t need a reminder of the only man who had ever seen her naked and the only man who had ever explored her so intimately.
“May I remind you that you’re engaged, Mr Reid. And yes, I will continue to address you as Mr Reid, because you are still a client of mine.”
His burst of laughter had Peyton taking a step back. The anger within her flamed then coursed through her body. She wanted respect and he was not giving it to her. Peyton pushed the wedding file into Callum’s chest.
“You know what, Mr Reid. You and your fiancée can take your wedding elsewhere. I will not be laughed at. I am now the owner of The Spencer-Dayle and I will not have my hotel laughed at by you, your pretentious wife-to-be, and your friends.” Peyton took her hands off the file just as he held it from falling.