Page 60 of A Lesson for Laurel

“He lives in Stamford. Abe had to fly to Florida to care for his mother for a few months and Easton is filling in for him. I’m renting the house next to Abe’s, where Easton is staying.”

“That is some kind of fate,” Poppy said.

“It could be thought of that way,” she said. “I’m not one to think of fate often. I had never met Abe and they look a bit alike.”

“So you thought Easton was Abe and it was his business?” Poppy asked.

“I did. I think it was a fair assumption. We’d gone on two dates.” Might as well share this with Poppy since Lily knew too. “Easton witnessed me kicking my ex off my front porch, so he knew I had an ex.”

“I need to hear that story too,” Poppy said, rubbing her hands together. “You’ve been a busy girl.”

“It’s been a crazy couple of weeks,” she said. “While Easton and I were having dinner, I was trashing attorneys and my thoughts of them. Wrong of me to lump someone in a category because of my experiences.”

“Don’t tell me Easton is an attorney?” Poppy asked, giggling. “Though not sure how he could be if he’s here for a few months filling in for Abe. Reese deals with that part of the household so he would know anything in terms of that.”

“He is one,” she said. “A partner. He practices business law and works remotely. He’s able to do both and set his schedule for the most part. He’s not doing much work for Abe other than keeping the guys on track and going out to get set up for quotes.”

“I’ve got the crew coming out at some point soon. We are having some more work done. Am I able to mention anything to him if he’s there?” Poppy asked.

“He’s a good sport,” she said. She’d make sure Easton had a head’s up. And if he couldn’t handle it, then he might not be for her.

She didn’t have a lot of friends around here, and those she had, she had a good time and a wonderful banter with them.

Then she remembered Abe busted Easton’s ass about her fixing the dishwasher and knew he’d be good with anything.

“Glad to know that,” Poppy said. “So you put your foot in your mouth and then Lily gave you some advice. Since you did the dirty with him, things have to be back on track?”

“They are,” she said. “He’s a good guy. We are just feeling our way. He’ll be going back to Stamford at some point in the near future. He’s been here for over a month already. I’m thinking Abe will be back by the end of this month.”

“So you’ve got a few weeks to make the best of it. I’m normally the one giving sex advice. You know, keep him in bed so he won’t forget you, but I’ve grown up some.”

“I think you were grown up more than people realize,” she said.

“Thank you for that,” Poppy said. “But we’ve all had our experiences in life with the opposite sex. My belief is those are what shape us for when we find the right one.”

“I think you’re right. When the time comes, I’ll know.”

Poppy started to grunt when she tried to stand up, so Laurel jumped up to rush over and help. “I should know better than to sit, but my feet hurt too. Thanks. And what I was going to say was that I think you know already but aren’t ready to admit it.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” she said.

She watched Poppy walk out slowly and then picked up her phone to text Easton and let him know that Poppy knew about their dating and that she’d explain more later.

Twenty minutes went by and her phone went off with a text saying it was fine and no reason to explain. It wasn’t a secret to him and she could tell who she wanted.

A smile filled her face.

Maybe she did know already, but it’d be her little secret.

21

SEXY NEIGHBOR

“I’ve got this, Poppy. Go lie down and rest.”

Easton had just rung the bell at the McGill estate three days later. He’d been hoping that he wouldn’t run into Poppy but knew that might not be the case when he’d heard that she was due any day now with her baby and not working as much.

“Oh no,” Poppy said. “You talk work, but then I’ve got to meet the man dating Laurel.”

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