Page 69 of Never Have I Ever

My gaze pivots to the kitchen, where I see Nikki Faris. His sister. His twin sister. She says, “You must be Poppy.”

Body blocked into his arms, I’m rushed back into the bedroom. The door closes, and he smacks a button on the wall, demanding the curtains open. My heart left my body back in the living room, but my eyes are wide open. “Was that your sister?”

The horror I feel inside is written all over his face. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Oh shit is right . . .

24

Laird

Her blond hair is no longer in disarray.

Her hazel eyes pop under darkened lashes.

The smile I’m used to when she sees me is nowhere to be found when Poppy returns to the living room. She stops, the bottom of her dress fluttering forward from the abrupt action, as if there’s an invisible barrier keeping her out. “Hello,” she says, gulping with pinkened cheeks.

My sister stands from the couch as I rush to greet her. “Hey,” I whisper when I reach her, taking her hands in mine and giving her a smile that evokes her own. She rolls her eyes and looks away with a sigh. Pulling her to me, I kiss her head. “You look pretty, but how are you doing?”

“Embarrassed beyond . . .” She exhales and shakes her head.

Nikki says, “Please don’t be. I know that’s impossible, but . . .” I move to the side, slipping my arm around her waist, and hold her close. “I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you.”

Poppy smiles, though she’s blushing even more. She crosses the room with her hand out. “I appreciate you saying that, but I’m going to need a few more minutes to pretend it didn’t happen, that I didn’t just meet you completely naked.”

My sister shakes her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“You as well.”

I say, “We should all be so lucky to meet you in the nude.”

She tips her head, glaring back at me. “It’s too soon.”

“I’ll try again later.” I ask, “Coffee?”

“I’d love it,” she replies.

While I make a cup for my girl, Nikki says, “It’s my fault. I’m used to barging into my brother’s house. I wasn’t thinking he had company. I really am so sorry.” I appreciate the effort my sister is making for her. Nikki has great intuition and doesn’t bullshit with people. If she doesn’t get a good sense of character, she won’t attempt to get to know someone. It’s a skill she had to adapt in the entertainment business. Most aren’t out to help a career but to help themselves.

Poppy tugs at the waist of her dress, fidgeting, but then her hands fall to her sides as she slips into comfortable conversation. “It’s fine. I’ll get over it.” She laughs quietly to herself. “Naked isn’t how I would have chosen to meet you, but there are no redos on first impression, so I can only hope you don’t hold it against me.”

“Never,” Nikki says, glancing out toward the pool. “Would you like to go outside? Laird and I were going to have our coffee outside. It’s a beautiful morning.”

Poppy glances at me, so I say, “I’ll be right out.”

When they go out, I watch as they walk around to the lounge chairs set up poolside. Nikki lies back, and I see her laugh after Poppy does.

My sister is important and a huge part of my life, but she doesn’t decide who I date or spend time with. But to have her get along with a partner is vital since the band and my job keeps us together all the time. The last thing I want to do is bring more turmoil to an already tumultuous situation.

With coffee in each hand, I hand a mug to Poppy and then take a sip from mine.

Nikki visors her eyes to block out the sun when she looks up at me. “Poppy saw us perform at the racetrack in Austin?”

The question isn’t lost on me. The connection she’s bridging from there to here isn’t either. I can’t say anything, not with Poppy here, and I’m unsure how Nikki would react. I never told her the full story. We don’t keep anything from each other, but I kept that morning I was stood up private. I just took it out on the world in Nashville.

“Small world, right?” I reply, seeing the whitecaps on the waves of the ocean. Can I keep these secrets forever if she never recovers her memories? I should paddle out later and see if the ocean can advise me on what to do.

“So small,” my sister says, sounding truly amazed. I chuckle. We’ve performed in front of stadiums of people around the world, and she’s still surprised when someone she meets has seen us on tour. Turning back to Poppy, she taps her arm gently. “We’re heading into the studio next week. I always host a party when we complete an album. I’d love to have you there.” Glancing at me, she adds, “If you guys are available?”

---