Page 29 of When I Had You

“I did, but that guy was an asshole, and I was tired of putting up with his freaky requests.”

“What was the line?”

“He told me to get fresh lionfish with a dollop of Indian red chili made with buttermilk and served over grits.” She’s shaking her head as if she’s offended all over again. “That’s not a thing and shouldn’t be. The flavors alone would be bonkers. I’m all for fusion, but it can’t just be adventurous. It needs to make sense on the palate.” She flails a hand between us. “I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t cross that line into Bonkersville. So I’m currently looking for a new job.”

“I’m sorry, Poppy. He was awful to you from the beginning.” Realizing she used the opportunity to come see me makes me lean over and hug her shoulder. “Thanks for coming to see me.”

“I want to be here, so don’t worry about it. Lesson learned. There was a reason he couldn’t keep a chef. That was a year of hell I don’t intend to repeat.” She laughs, clearly doing fine after leaving her private chef gig. Glancing my way again, she has one hand on the steering wheel and the other anchoring her sunglasses on her head. “But let’s talk about you, Ms. Westcott.”

“I’d rather not.”

“Yeah, you’re not getting off that easy.”

I laugh lightly, leaning my head back as I watch the world go by. “I haven’t been getting off at all. Guess that’s why Corbin was cheating.”

“Corbin was cheating because Corbin is a cheater. It has nothing to do with you. Doesn’t matter if you were having sex with him or not. Just be glad you weren’t now that you know the truth.”

I roll my head to the side, bringing my feet up on the seat and wrapping my arms around my knees. “You’re right. Guess that’s why I’m not upset. Upset enough, I suppose.”

Reaching over, she rubs my forearm. “It’s only a blow, Mar, because you were blindsided by the news.”

“You never did like him.”

“I liked him fine. I just didn’t love him for you.”

Somehow, this doesn’t make me feel better. Go figure. “Why is that again?”

She shrugs. “He puts off . . . he just puts off.”

“It’s called arrogance.”

Tapping the tip of her nose, she says, “Ding. Ding. Ding.” Sitting forward, she squints at the signs ahead before relaxing back again. “Twenty minutes to the apartment.”

“Thanks for picking me up.”

A wide smile spreads across her face. She’s always been beyond gorgeous, but when she smiles, the whole world takes notice. “I’m glad I could be here. You still have that spare room, right?”

“I do.” She’s visited me a few times, but it will be nice not to be alone in the aftermath of the fallout from Corbin.

“Why’d you go to Miami again?”

Shifting my purse back to my lap, I dig through it, looking for lip gloss. I want to be ready just in case cameras are aimed at me when we arrive at the apartment complex. “Just a quick weekend in Miami to watch the qualifying race.”

“I’m sorry. Let me be clearer. Who were you doing this weekend?”

I balk, but then it trickles off, and my cheeks heat, remembering how good Cash looked last night. His hard abs. That strong jawline. He listened when he didn’t owe me a thing, much less any of his time. How he held my hand and me so close in protection from the paparazzi.

Slinking in my seat, I rest back, staring out the window. “You know I’m not doing anyone.”

Gripping the steering wheel, she seems to have something on her mind. Poppy has never been good about keeping her feelings hidden. I suspect she won’t now either. I just have to help open that door for her. I ask, “What is it?”

“You know I’m a vault when it comes to you. I would never share or sell any secrets.”

“I know.” I nod, truly knowing I can trust her like my own family. After being best friends since we were little, she’s family. “I’d tell you if something was going on.” I scrape the gloss wand across my lips and look at her again. “Why do I get the feeling there’s more going on here?”

“Your flight was early, right?”

Running my fingers along the hem of the shirt, I reply, “I barely arrived in time to board at six thirty. I got there right before the doors closed.”

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