“Tell me, is it good news?” he asked. “I’ve had a good feeling since I woke up this morning.”
“It’s good news,” I said, unable to keep the grin from my face. I glanced over at Mom who gave me two thumbs up, practically glowing. “The last scan found nothing. She’s in remission!”
On the other end of the line, I could almost see Korbin smile with relief. “Tell Susan congratulations,” he said. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in some time.”
“You and me both,” I murmured, heading in the direction of home.
“So I guess that means you’ll have no reason not to come to the wedding on Saturday, right?” said Korbin, and I grinned to myself, shaking my head.
“I’ll come to the wedding,” I said, ignoring my mother’s wide eyes and excited claps from the seat next to me. “I think now is a good enough reason as any to celebrate.”
“I’d like to celebrate tonight,” said Korbin. “How about I make dinner for you and Susan, and afterwards I can show you my place.”
“Your place?” I repeated, drawing in an inappropriate squeal from my mother. “I forgot that you had a place, Korbin; I figured you’d just live with your mom for the rest of your life.”
“Yeah you and me both,” he teased. “I’ll see you at six?”
“See you at six.”
I hung up the phone and shoved it back into my pocket, practically glowing. My mother’s eyes were on me as we drove, and I almost couldn’t face her.
“Things sound like they’re getting pretty serious between you and Korbin Butler,” she said finally, egging the conversation on. I stuck my tongue out at her but couldn’t hide the grin.
“I guess we’ll see. You know Korbin, serious isn’t really in his vocabulary, Mom.”
“Give him a chance,” she said as I pulled into the driveway and shut of the engine. The rain was falling now, heavy drops splattering against the windshield. “Maybe he’s ready now. Maybe he needed the time…maybe you both did.”
“No offence to Korbin,” I said, hurrying out of the car to open my mom’s door for her, offering my hand to help her stand. “But I didn’t need the time, Mom. I was ready to marry that man and you know it. He called it off, and that’s all there is to it. Besides, I’m seeing someone else too. A guy in Denver. An old patient of mine.”
“Really?” Mom said, and I couldn’t decipher her tone. “You’re dating two men at once?”
“Yes,” I said, trying to hold back my aggravation. “It’s allowed, Mom, don’t worry. Your daughter hasn’t turned into a whore. I’m just—exploring my options. I’m not going to rely on Korbin for my happiness. I did that once before.”
“Keep an open mind, sweetheart,” Mom said, digging the house keys out of her pocket to unlock the front door. “Things might have changed.” She turned to me then, placing both of her hands on either side of my cheeks. “Do I get to meet this mystery man in Denver?” she asked, and I shook my head.
“Not yet, I don’t think. It’s still new. But I’ll let you know what happens.”
I followed her into the house, head down to avoid the rain. My cell phone began to buzz in my pocket, and I drew it out, expecting it to be Korbin. It wasn’t. It was Remington.
“Hello, you sweet thing,” said Rem when I answered, and hearing my best friend’s voice was the one thing I didn’t realize I’d needed. “Long time no talk.”
“I know, Rem, I’m so sorry.” Closing the front door behind us, I pressed the phone to my ear and kicked off my shoes, shrugging off my jacket at the same time. “How are you?”
“Missing you,” he said. “But busy with work. We all miss you here, Peyton.”
“I miss you all too,” I said. “Especially you, Rem.”
“Have you seen Jake again?” Remington asked, always the gossip. “And are you still hooking up with Korbin?”
“I saw Jake earlier today,” I admitted, lowering my voice, even though I didn’t know why. I felt sly, like some sexy prom queen splitting her time between two handsome men.
“You were in Denver and didn’t visit me?” Rem snapped, and I laughed.
“When is the last time you came to Eagle River to see me?”
“Okay, okay, point taken,” said Rem. “Anyway, have you guys fucked? You and this Jake dude?”
I closed my eyes and smiled, shaking my head at him through the phone. “None of your business, Rem.”
