The Promise of Us (Sanctuary Sound #2) - Jamie Beck Page 0,57
tux on the pantry door and set the box of rejects on the kitchen counter. “Ran into the city to grab these things.”
Peyton unzipped the garment bag and fingered the black satin lapel. “Last year, Todd and I were the gala pariahs. I don’t know if I’m up to going this year.”
“I’m never up for the gala, but if I have to go, you do, too.” He opened the refrigerator and popped the tab of a seltzer.
“Did you know that Claire’s coming? Mom pinned her down.” Peyton yawned with a stretch, then winced, presumably because of all the bruising and trauma to her chest and underarms. “I know Mom thinks she’s helping me, but after what I did, I don’t want anyone bullying Claire into talking to me. That won’t fix what’s broken between us.”
When he’d first returned to Sanctuary Sound, he’d wanted to force Claire to forgive Peyton for his sister’s sake. Now he had another motive—his own. Claire would never consider the idea of seeing him as long as she despised his sister. And frankly, Claire’s feelings about his sister bothered him.
People could be selfish and ugly at times. Such was the human condition. You learn to roll with the punches, especially if, on the whole, those people have been good to you more often than they’ve been bad. Peyton genuinely regretted her mistake. Didn’t that count for anything?
Claire could be surprisingly obstinate, but he sensed pent-up emotions—a yearning for adventure—bubbling beneath the surface. “I hear you, but maybe Claire needs a little push.”
Peyton shook her head. “I can’t make demands. I hurt her.”
“I’m not talking about demands, but maybe there’s something else you can do. A favor you can ask. Make yourself vulnerable or indebted to her in some way so she retains the power but you get to talk to her. I think, deep down, she wants to forgive and move on. She just needs a little nudge.”
“That’s way too manipulative.”
He set the seltzer on the counter and hung his head. “Why do people say that word like it’s a bad thing? Everyone manipulates to one degree or another. I manipulated her today to get her into the city. She went kicking and screaming, even got a little green at one point, but by the time we came home, she’d not only had a good day, but I think she’s realizing maybe she doesn’t need to limit her life so much. If I hadn’t ‘manipulated’ her, she’d still be totally stuck in her fear.”
Peyton flattened her hands on the counter. “First of all, I can’t believe you did that. Justify it all you want, but that’s not cool.”
“‘Justification’ . . . another word people throw around as being awful when, in truth, it’s simply the way we make choices. Can I justify spending money on this car? Can I justify taking the day off for this appointment? Can I justify getting divorced? And so on and so on. Bottom line, as long as your intentions are not entirely one-sided, manipulation and justification are not all bad.”
Peyton frowned, hesitating before speaking. “I need more time to think about whether or not I agree. Maybe I’m just predisposed to disagree because of the justifications I told myself when I ran off with Todd.”
“Well, that was fairly one-sided . . . clearly on the wrong side of the line.” He frowned. “Not that I believe in a life controlled by lines.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Should I lie? If you ask me, lying is a worse sin than manipulation or justification.”
“The point, I think, is not to sin at all, Logan.” She sat back, arms crossed. “You know, you sound more like Mom and Dad than you’d ever want to admit. On the other hand, I’m tickled that you got her out of town for the day. Steffi and I were always a little sad that she never psychologically recovered from that shooting. Just don’t hurt her, okay? Not for me. And not for whatever other justification you’re dreaming up. You don’t know her like I do. If you push too far, you’ll be sorry.”
He knew her better than Peyton realized. “Let’s change the subject. We can dig into the rejects, or shop online for a new dress for you. You are coming to the gala.”
“Karina is coming, I presume, so I can’t count on you as my ‘date.’”
“Karina’s my friend, not my date.” He weighed whether to say more. “I actually asked Claire to go with me, but she said no.”