Conflicted

Dinner Revelations

This is it.

I park my truck in Peyton's driveway. The sunlight has faded and only a dim orange glow remains. I see the bright lights of Peyton's house from the windows.

Turning the engine off, I take a deep steadying breath.

The nerves are unreal but I'm not even sure why. Peyton and I have this natural connection... it's effortless between us and Hanna, well, she just oozes motherly love to everyone all the time.

So then, why am I this nervous? Am I scared that Peyton will realize I have feelings for her? Or is it that I'm scared that she already knows and is unsure how to let me down easy?

Whoa. Slow down, Kate. You're a train wreck right now.

Before I allow myself to get any deeper inside my head, I grab everything off the passenger seat and head towards the front door.

*Bing, Bong*

The chime of the doorbell echoes throughout open floor plan of the home.

"Just a minute!" I hear Peyton's voice from inside.

There is some whispering and shuffling to be heard from the other side of the door, and my anxiety starts to creep back in. My heart rate picks up even more, which I didn't realize was possible.

Eventually, Hanna opens the door and greets me with a warm smile.

"Kate the Great! Come in, I just finished cooking," Hanna moves out from the doorframe, allowing me space to enter.

I step inside and hand her the plant.

"For you and Peyton. I thought the flower was beautiful and intriguing, reminded me of you both."

I admit, I'm trying way too hard.

Hanna graciously accepts the flower and admires it. "Hon, I can't even remember the last time someone bought me flowers. Thank you so much. Did Peyton tell you these are my favourite?" Hanna asks.

I'm surprised and suddenly very happy with myself for choosing an orchid.

"No, I had no idea," I laugh.

Hanna smiles and offers to take my blazer. I accept.

"Oh, yes. I forgot. I brought along some dessert for later. I felt I needed to contribute," I hand her the pie and croissants.

"Wow, Kate. You continue to impress me. Flowers and sweets? Are you hitting on me?" Hanna jokes and sends me a wink.

I let out an easy laugh and joke back.

"Who wouldn't? You're gorgeous... and you look a lot like someone I know," I wink back.

Hanna and I pause at the base of the stairs and she excuses herself to the kitchen. I hear movement and look up to find Peyton.

My lungs stop expanding, I'm mesmerized.

Sweet, merciful Heavens.

No word in the English language could accurately describe how beautiful this woman is to me... Her hair is all done up, her face is completely free of all signs of Preston. Above her eyes, gold flecks shimmer and her long dark lashes look irresistible, framing her blue eyes. I can't help but stare at her plump rosy coloured lips... Despite the modesty of her clothes I can see where every curve of her body begins and ends. I ache, seeing her look this good. She makes her grand entrance and comes to a stop on the final stair. At this height she stands nearly as tall as I am and her face is so close to mine... Impulsively, I wrap my arms around her delicate frame. She leans into the hug, returning it with a tight squeeze to my torso.

"Hi," she breathes into my neck, not releasing me from the embrace.

"Hey... you look radiant tonight, Peyton," I reply quietly.

Radiant? What the f**k, Kate...

Peyton giggles and leans back but her arms remain outstretched, still resting on my shoulders.

"Thank you. I'm just now realizing I've never seen your tattoos. You're covered in them," Peyton's hand slides down from my shoulder, her fingers lightly trace the ink on my arm. This slight contact alone creates enough electricity on my skin that I could power a whole city.

"I love tattoos, these are beautiful. I had no idea you had any, to see them now is like buying a book and opening it at home to find out it's been beautifully illustrated," Peyton's eyes snap up from my arm and land on mine. She looks panicked by what she just said and drops her hand away from me instantly.

"That's probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said about my tattoos," I say honestly while maintaining eye contact. I want her to know how much her words affected me just now, and how badly I want to show her the rest of my body, give her more to admire beneath the clothes... but I need to keep cool. I need to remember that Peyton and I are just friends and most likely, that's all we'll ever be. As long as I get to keep her in my life, I'm more than happy to stay "just friends". I couldn't lose her now, I'm not sure what I would do if I did.

"Ahem..." Hanna clears her throat behind us, causing us both to whip around and face her. Synchronized, Peyton and I step back from one another as if we were caught aggressively making out rather than simply sharing an intense conversation.

"Dinner's ready, hope you're hungry," Hanna smirks at us. I wonder how long she's been standing there...

"Thank God, I am starving. The smell of mom's food has been teasing me for hours," Peyton announces. Hanna and I laugh, I'm smitten by how adorable she is.

Peyton grabs my hand and tugs me into the kitchen and dining space. Any time out hands intertwine it makes me feel a surge of happiness. There is food covering every single space available on the dining room table. Peyton pulls my seat out for me and walks around to sit across from my seat at the table. Hanna places herself on my right and talks me through what everything is. After one full plate of food, Hanna insists I take more and says she'll make sure there's enough for me to take home, too.

"Peyton's art are her drawing and paintings, my art is food," she explains.

"I guess my art would be mechanics," I shrug, smiling.

For the next few hours, the three of us talk, laugh, share stories and get to know one another. Just as we're about to start dessert, the doorbell chimes.

*Bing, Bong*

Peyton and Hanna exchange curious glances teach other, while I sit quietly in my chair. Clearly, they weren't expecting any visitors other than myself this evening.

"Excuse me, girls. I'll have to go see who that is..." Hanna wipes her mouth and places her napkin on the table before standing up to leave the dining room. I look over at Peyton. Her brows are furrowed, a crease forming between them and the corners of her mouth are turned down into a frown.

"Who stops by unannounced at this time of night..." she trails off. Neither of us talk as we both strain to listen.

We hear the sound of the front door opening, and a sharp gasp from Hanna.

"Dylan? What are you doing here?" Hanna's voice is not holding back any emotion and it's clear she is unhappy to see Preston's best friend at her door.

Peyton's eyes go wide, I'm already standing and ready to make my way to the front door so I can kick that piece of s**t off the property, or maybe just kick him physically, who knows.

Peyton bounces up from her chair and whispers a sharp, "no!"

I freeze and give her a look equivalent to "Why not?"

She understands our silent exchange and just shakes her head, bringing her index up to her lips as a sign that I needed to stay hidden and silent.

I obey. She has me in the palm of her hand.

"Mrs. Byrnes, before you demand I leave your property, which you have every right to do, please hear me out. I didn't know what was happening. I had no idea what Preston had done to your daughter. When he asked me to go out looking for her, I just assumed they had fought and Peyton left to cool down. I know apologies aren't worth much, but I am sorry." Dylan's voice is shaky and I can tell he is scared.

Hanna says nothing, Dylan continues.

"I came here to not only apologize, but to warn you. Preston's dad bailed him out and hour ago. He's being released tonight on house arrest until his first court date. I don’t know when that is, but I know he'll be staying at his parent's house not far from here. Preston's family has not only one but two very good attorneys which is not fair for Peyton... I figured you ought to know."

Peyton and I are staring at each other. I expected more of a reaction from her after hearing those words, but she gives me nothing. I wonder if she's in shock when I hear her sigh.

"I knew this would happen," Peyton whispers sadly.