Page 39 of When You Left Me Speechless

The other kids cheer, her head turns back towards me, and our eyes meet again. She sticks out her tongue, and my eyes dart to her mouth. Her lips are pink and soft, and I wish I could kiss them. My heart rate quickens, and if I sit here much longer, I’m going to regret it.

“There you have it, I win,” she gloats. I cough out a laugh and release the spoon. She holds it in the air and pumps it up and down like a trophy.

“Sorry, Mr. Peterson, you are out,” Henry says.

“You have to ask someone a question,” Sasha adds.

I pause for a second and then look back at Poppy. “Okay, Ms. Collins, if you’re going to steal my victory, then I guess you have to answer my question.” Her eyes narrow at me like she isn’t sure what I’m about to ask. “Do you like sour candy or chocolate candy better?”

She rolls her eyes and then smirks. “Sour.”

“Why am I not surprised?” I get up and high-five the kids before I walk away from the table.

CHAPTER 25: DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO

POPPY

Ican’t take my eyes off of Logan.

“I like chocolate candy more,” Sasha says, but I’m too distracted to respond.

Damn, he looks good today. He’s wearing a forest green polo sweater that hugs his biceps and khaki pants that fit his thighs and ass snuggly. I thought baseball players had the best asses in sports, but maybe the award should go to pickleball players.

“Ms. Collins, did you hear me?” I hear Sasha ask again. I look back at the table.

“Oh, sorry, kiddo, what did you say?” The kids collectively giggle.

“I said I like chocolate candy.” Her face is covered in chocolate from the donut she inhaled the moment I set them on the table.

It makes me laugh. “No way, you? Like chocolate? I would have never guessed.”

I dismiss them to their homerooms and clean up the table before heading to the speech room.

On the walk there, I think about the interaction we just had.Was he flirting with me?I shove it to a dark corner of mybrain before walking into the office to see Beth. “How did it go flying solo with the Tuesday Talkers?”

I shrug and let out a small laugh, “I survived, so I think it went pretty well. Mr. Peterson joined us for a round of spoons, and the kids loved it. Jett even said more than hello.”

She smiles and nods her head, “That’s great, I’m glad. Thanks again for covering that. I’m so behind on this Medicaid billing that I’m afraid the county office is going to call me and fuss.” She laughs and shakes her head. “Do as I say, not as I do.”

“Noted.” I throw her a smile and then begin to prepare for my day.

I walkinto my favorite Mexican restaurant and scan the tables for my sister and best friend. They are both seated at a small table by the window of the restaurant and already eating chips and queso.

“Hey you two,” I say, hugging them both. “Sorry, I’m a little late. Traffic was wild.”

“It’s okay,” Lacey says.

“We went ahead and ordered you a margarita,” Olive adds.

“Thanks. On the rocks—” I begin.

“No salt,” Olive finishes. I smile. Leave it to my best girls to know exactly what I need. I dig into the chips and queso that are almost gone. “We might have to order another one of these,” I laugh. “I’m starving.”

“Done,” Lacey says, waving down our waiter who is carrying a tray with our three drinks. He sets down my margarita, Lacey’s mojito, and Olive’s strawberry daiquiri.

“Can we get another order of queso?” Olive asks.

He nods and moves away from our table toward the kitchen.

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