Chapter 2-2
700 Words
”I’ve decided we need to change our agreement,” Wyatt said as we helped clean up.
“Oh, really?” I prompted, a smile already teasing my lips. “And what changes do you propose?”
“Well, just going to the winter festival isn’t enough. Since we aren’t having that until January, you’ll miss so much the town has to offer between now and Christmas. I think we should make this a whole winter experiment.”
“Experiment?” I asked, feeling excited and apprehensive at the same time. I could definitely get on board with an experiment.
“Yes. I’ll show you what I love about the holidays and you can try to shoot down all my amazing ideas. The winter festival will be the end of our experiment.”
“And what happens at the end?” I asked, the scientist in me curious.
Wyatt shrugged. “What happens at the end of any experiment?”
“Well, you come to a conclusion. Decide which hypothesis was correct. Who wins, so to speak.”
His face broke into a wide grin. “I like the sound of that. But we need to have something at stake. The winner has to get something.”
“Like what?”
He rubbed his chin, contemplating what he wanted. He was trouble. I could see it.
“When I win, and convince you that this is a great time of year, then you have to be my date on Valentine’s Day.”
“Whoa, date? I thought you were happy to be single?”
He nodded. “I am. But the town has a Valentine’s party for all the staff. Since Christmas is so busy, we do something in February. Over the years it’s become a Valentine’s Day thing. Everyone brings their significant other. And I’m always alone.”
“Aw, poor lonely Mayor Ramsey.”
He laughed at my sad, pouty lip.
“Be careful with that. Someone might get the wrong idea and try to kiss your sadness away.”
I stuck my lip out again. His eyes dipped to it and I swore they darkened.
“You’re a temptation I can’t afford, Peyton.”
I laughed. “I’m not trying to tempt you, Wyatt.”
“That doesn’t mean you aren’t.”
“Oh,” I said, the playfulness disappearing. I needed the temptation as badly as he did.
“On the off chance that you win, what do you want?” he asked, tearing his eyes from my lips.
“Hmm.” I tapped a finger on my chin, trying to come up with something really good. Something that would be worthy of the t*****e I was going to endure trying to enjoy the worst few months of the year for me. “When I win, I want you to come up with an event for women who can’t get pregnant and who can’t afford the expensive treatment to keep trying.”
“What?” he asked, clearly shocked by my request.
“I lose patients more often because they can’t afford to continue than because they get pregnant. The treatments are pricey. Especially once we move past prescription medication treatment. All advanced treatments are expensive. Most insurances don’t cover the meds these patients need. One IVF attempt is into five figures. You’ve done a lot of great things for this town. Your events are fabulous. But there is a large group of residents who don’t attend because it’s too painful to watch all the happy parents with their children. These couples aren’t able to have their own children naturally, they can’t afford to have children with medical help, and adoption is risky in New York, not to mention it takes years to go through the process. This is an underserved group. We need to bring some attention to them. Maybe even make the dream of being parents come true.”
“Wow,” he breathed when I was done. “You’re right. I never wanted kids so I never thought about how the people who do might see the events we throw. s**t. I’m an insensitive ass.”
I shook my head. “You’re not. You’re just unaware. I want to change that.”
“Me too. I think that’s a great idea, Peyton.”
“Good. I look forward to making it happen.”
“Me too.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Admitting defeat already?”
A laugh burst from him. “Not a chance. We start Friday. Our first winter date. What time are you off work?”
“Six,” I said, waiting for him to tell me it was too late.
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up.”
“I look forward to changing your mind, Mr. Mayor.”
“And I look forward to changing yours, Dr. Peyton.”
- Writer
