Page 72 of Catching Sparks

He stares at me as if I’m the biggest idiot he’s ever spoken to. I arch a brow and plant my hands on my hips, waiting for him to explain what I’ve done to deserve that look.

“You’re kiddin’, right?”

“I’m failing to see what’s so hard to believe.”

“Poppy told everyone you were coming. Dared ’em to argue with her on it.”

My lips part, a surprised breath slipping through them.

I haven’t spoken to her since she dropped me off this morning. She told me Beautifully Bold had a class this afternoon and that she had to get back to work after already missing a class that I wasn’t aware of. I didn’t put up a fight because regardless of my ridiculously selfish want to stay in bed with her for another day, I know what it’s like to love your work the way she does hers. It was stupid enough to allow her to take care of me when I was ill, but nowhere as close to as idiotic as my spilling the history of me and my father to her. Or sharing more about my mother than I ever intended to tell anyone here.

Poppy listened, though. Listened and offered soft words of comfort that hit me square in the chest. There wasn’t an ounce of judgment in her voice or body language. Just understanding.

Fuck.

“Don’t try to meddle again, Johnny. Mind your business,” I tell him despite the spark of hope in my chest that I squash like a bug.

He lifts his hands in front of him. “Hey, I’m not doing anything other than relaying information. With Brody still gone, I’ve been helping Anna with Sky. We’ve been chatting.”

“You’ve been gossiping,” I correct him.

“You call it gossiping, I call it hearty discussion.”

“There’s nothing to discuss regarding myself and Poppy.”

The lie tastes putrid, but I don’t allow myself to dwell on that reaction. Luckily, I’m saved from the remainder of this conversation when my phone rings in my back pocket. I answer it without glancing at the caller ID so I don’t risk losing the surprising burst of service.

“Yes?”

“How many times have I told you to answer with a simple hello,” Nathan chastises me.

“You should stop wasting your breath.”

“Yeah, probably. Anyway, I finally have an update on your order. Good God, man, where have you been living? The fucking middle of nowhere? The delivery company put a wait on it because they only go out that way once every two weeks.”

“Not surprising.”

“Finally got the call this morning, and they’ll be delivered tomorrow morning. That work?”

“I’ll make it work. But they better arrive early. Lunchtime, at the latest. How hard is it to deliver a washer and dryer? I don’t care how far they have to drive to do it. I’m the one paying for it.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and huff a breath, ignoring Johnny’s beady eyes as they burn holes into the side of my face.

“That’s what I said. Even offered to up the delivery fee, but they were adamant. It’s their loss,” Nathan says.

“Just try to let me know before they arrive, and I’ll make sure there’s someone to receive them.”

There’s a long, heavy pause before he asks, “You’re being careful, right? I haven’t asked who these are going to, but I know they’re not for you.”

I turn, giving Johnny my back. “I’ll be back in a month, Nathan. If that’s what you’re so concerned about.”

“Not everything is about work. I’m asking about you. What’s really going on over there? You haven’t asked me about work in days, and while I’m grateful you’re taking a break, I’m curious as to why. You’re distracted, and I don’t know if I buy that it’s just because you’re busy working on that ranch. There’s more. You’ve just spent five thousand dollars on a washer and dryer that are quite possibly better than the ones in your own penthouse. That’s not nothing.”

“I’ve spent more than that on useless things, and you’ve never paid those purchases any mind.”

He makes a noise in his throat that sounds more frustrated than annoyed. “That is not the same. This is a gift for a woman. I know it is, so don’t try denying it. And as not only your friend but also vice-president of your company, the same company that kicked you to Cherry Peak, in case you’ve forgotten, I’m warning you to watch your back. You were quick to demand Brody force his girlfriend to sign an NDA the first time he mentioned her. Have you kept the same standards for yourself?”

“I don’t have a girlfriend, Nathan. Drop it. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”

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