Page 38 of Faking It With the Grumpy Single Dad

“Thank you,” I add. “For looking out for me, I mean. For wanting to help and for playing along in the first place.”

Joe nods, his lips quirking up in a small smile. “Anytime, Poppy.”

“I don’t really know what my next plan of action is to get rid of Percy, but I promise I’ll keep you out of—”

“Let’s go to the gala together,” he gently interrupts.

I blink in surprise. “What?”

“If Percy is going to force you to play his stupid games, then I’m playing, too.”

He’s so… protective. He barely knows me, and yet he seems adamantly opposed to letting me handle my ex-boyfriend on my own. Not because he thinks I can’t handle it, but because he simply can’t allow me to bear the weight of this alone.

“Joe, I’m—”

“But I won’t let you buy me a tuxedo. I’ll rent one.” He wags his finger at me in a playful warning.

I can’t help it. I beam at him.

“Okay, then. Let’s go to the gala together.”

“It’s settled.”

“Perfect.”

Joe lets out a soft huff of laughter. “Goodnight, Poppy.”

“Goodnight, Joe.”

Chapter Twelve: Joe

I’ve never worn a tuxedo before.

And I’m pretty sure I never would have, if Poppy hadn’t come crashing into my life and I found my fate inextricably entwined with hers.

Even when I married Ellie, we didn’t dress with such strict formality. She wore a long white sundress that her mother had sewn for her, and I wore khakis with a white button-down. The ceremony took place in Flo’s picturesque backyard, with only a couple dozen people in attendance.

I’ve never really had any other reason to get myself all dolled up.

But here I am, standing in the parking lot of Blakeley Manor in a jacket that the sales associate assured me wasthe most current fashion. I tug at my collar, not used to the snug feeling of having a black silk tie around my throat.

I’m trying really hard not to show that I have no idea what I’m doing, even though we both know it’s the truth. This is Poppy’s world, all this glamour and high-society charm. Yet, just for tonight, I’m choosing to make it my world, too.

I am in over my head with this situation. I’ve crossed professional boundaries. I’ve made a few reckless decisions. I don’t really care anymore, though. I don’t care if the guys judge me. I don’t care if Flo would call me an utter fool for this.

All I care about is making sure that Poppy gets the life she came here for. A life where she doesn’t have to be plagued with image-obsessed, vain idiots like Percy Barclay. A life where she can truly start over and have the chance to find happiness and security in the cottage I’m rebuilding for her.

It’s what everyone deserves.

I glance over at Poppy. She’s already looking at me, smiling brightly.

Suffice to say, she looks incredible.

Her gown is the silvery-cream color of pearls plucked fresh from the oysters or the gleaming gray feathers of a dove soaring through the moonlight. The satin looks like liquid, spilling over her shoulders and down to the ground like molten starlight. With her fading tan giving way to a more ivory complexion and light blonde hair styled in loose curls, she looks downright angelic.

She takes my breath away, if I’m being completely honest.

I can’t be thinking things like that, though. Not when I’m just her friend, just her fake boyfriend, just her hired contractor, just some blue-collar guy from the Cape. Just, just,just.

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