Page 53 of Faking It With the Grumpy Single Dad

“I’m going to file a restraining order against him,” I say. It’s not what I planned on starting this conversation with, but I feel like it needs to be said. “Officer Fitz said I could come down to the station tomorrow afternoon to file a petition. It’s best if I have documented evidence of any previous incidents, too. And, um, she said I’d also benefit from witness statements. Friends and family who can attest to the fact that Percy’s behavior is dangerous and abnormal.”

“I’ll help in any way I can,” Joe answers automatically. “I’m more than happy to do whatever it takes to make sure he never bothers you again.”

I nod, a tight lump forming in my throat.

“Thank you,” I whisper, barely able to get the words out.

“Poppy…”

Before Joe can finish whatever it is he’s about to say, I feel a tear slip down my cheek. I blink in surprise, but once I do, it’s like I triggered the floodgates. All of a sudden, I’m crying like I haven’t since I was a child, the emotions of the past week finally crashing over me. I press my hands to my face, trying to hold itall in, but it’s no use. The tears come in waves, and I feel like I’m unraveling.

“Poppy,” Joe murmurs again, his voice soft. I feel his hand on my shoulder. Its warm and steadying touch grounds me, reminding me that I’m not alone. “It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.”

I shake my head, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I’m so sorry, Joe. For all of this… for dragging you into my mess. I didn’t mean for you to have to deal with any of this. Online, they’re saying all kinds of stupid stuff. I basically forced you to be involved with—”

“You didn’t force me to do anything, Poppy.”

Sniffling, I look up into his eyes.

He squeezes my shoulder gently, his thumb brushing against my collarbone in a way that’s both comforting and intimate.

“But—”

“You don’t need to apologize,” he murmurs. “I’m glad I was here.”

His words are a balm, soothing the raw ache in my chest. In his gaze, I feel seen for who I am, like he truly understands what I’ve been through without getting caught up in the mask that I used to wear back in California. There’s no judgment in his gaze, no pity—just a quiet, unwavering support that makes me feel safer than I have in years.

“I’m sorry, too,” I whisper, my voice shaking. “For the pictures… I don’t want you to think that I did that on purpose, or like that sort of thing might happen all the time. The truth is that Percy was behind all of it. Even at the gala, when all those photographers were crowding the entrance… he must’ve paid one of them off to specifically get a shot of us.”

I trail off, unable to find the right words. The fear of his judgment and his disappointment feels so overwhelming that itthreatens to choke the breath out of my lungs. It’s important to me what he thinks.

Joe just shakes his head, his eyes softening. “I saw the pictures. I didn’t think anything of it, at least, not in terms of blaming you for it,” he responds quietly. “You don’t owe anyone an explanation—not me, not the world. I admit that I was a little freaked out when I saw my face on the cover ofUS Weeklyearlier today, but I’m sure the public will get bored of me soon enough. All that really matters to me is that it doesn’t trickle down to my boys.”

I shake my head. “They’ll be fine. I promise. Percy will have to back off now, and since I’m not even in Los Angeles anymore, people are going to lose interest in me sooner rather than later, which is exactly how I like it. And you don’t have to worry about being my fake boyfriend anymore.”

He shrugs. “It wasn’t so hard.”

“You don’t have to lie for my sake.”

A quiet huff of laughter escapes him. “I mean it, Poppy. Pretending to be with you… it didn’t feel like I even had to pretend. That’s what I came back here to talk to you about.”

I swallow hard. “Oh?”

“Well, first and foremost, I didn’t want you to think that I snuck out because I was embarrassed or ashamed. Especially after you showed me Isabeau. I know how much that must have meant to you.”

I don’t know what to say. It’s rare that I’m ever speechless, so the best I can do is nod.

“And another thing, Poppy…” He pauses, inhaling a deep breath before continuing. “The lines between us have been blurred. Since the beginning, really. And I just wanted to make sure you know that I—I really don’t mind.”

“You… don’t mind?”

“I like you, Poppy Minton.”

I grin. “I like you, too.”

But Joe’s expression is serious. “No, I mean that Ilikeyou. I’m very fond of you. Not to mention the fact that you’re very beautiful. There’s a reason I jumped into action the moment I saw that the police were here, and it’s not just because I’m overprotective on the best of days. It’s you, specifically, that I care about.”

To think that this man, with all his gruffness and rough edges, has grown to care about me…

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