Page 41 of When You Had Me Adapting

Poppy: You still over there?

I look up to find he’s still sitting next to me. “So, where do we go from here?” he asks.

“I’m not sure.” There’s so much more that needs to be said, so much lost time that needs to be made up, but his touch hasleft me feeling dizzy and I know I need to leave. I need to go home and process everything. “I mean I’ve hated you for ten years. Do I just stop hating you?” I laugh, trying to make light of everything.

“Maybe we try to be friends again?” His eyes meet mine with a silent plea.

“I’d like to try that.”

“Good. I’ve missed you, pixie.”

“I’ve missed you, too, J.” His face breaks out into a wide grin.

“Poppy,”I yell, swinging the door to our apartment open. “You home?”

She walks out of her room holding a duffle bag. “How was your meeting with Jace?”

“I really fucked up.”

She drops her bag by the door with a thud. “What do you mean?” She raises an eyebrow.

We both move to the couch and I recap the events of the day. By the end, tears are running down my cheeks. “I’m so sorry. I convinced you to hate him. If you never forgive me I understand. I was so sure. I never meant for this to happen.”

She rubs my back in slow circles, helping me to calm down. “It’s okay. It was a long time ago. He’s back now, so let’s focus on the future. You can’t change the past and neither can I.”

“You aren’t mad?”

“I mean I’m not exactly thrilled, but we both made decisions based on the information we had. I know you wouldn’t have told me unless you believed it to be true and at the time you did.” She wraps her arms around me. “I chose you then and I wouldchoose you again. I’m glad we can all move forward. I’ve missed the three musketeers.”

My eyes land on her duffle bag. “You going to Logan’s again?”

She nods. “Do you want me to stay here? I can call him. I know he would understand.”

“No, I’m okay. It was a long day. I’m probably going to curl up in bed with a book and try to process it all. Fill him in on everything, will you?”

“Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She walks across the room and grabs her bag. She stops at the door and turns back towards me. “I’m so proud of you. I know today was hard, but I’m glad y’all talked. Love you.”

“Love you more,” I say as she closes the door behind her.

My head falls back on the couch, and I let out a long breath. My phone chimes.

Cute Stalker: Everything okay?

Shit, I never texted him back.

Lacey: Yes, I’m so sorry. It’s been a weird day. Rain check?

Cute Stalker: Of course. Can I do anything to make it better?

Lacey: You’re sweet, but no. I’m okay.

I climb into bed with my e-reader. The sun is still shining outside, but I need to decompress and relax. I open the enemies to lovers book I’ve been attempting to read, but after a few chapters I put it down. I can’t focus. My head is spinning with the events of the day.That hug. My stomach knots as I think about the past ten years. How different they may have been if Ihadn’t assumed the worst of him. If I hadn’t listened to everyone else and let my insecurities win.

I mindlessly play with the locket around my neck and stare at the ceiling fan. Grabbing my phone, I click on my brother’s name. I sit up in bed and continue to play with the necklace while I wait on him to answer. His sandy blond hair and green eyes come into view.

“Hey, Sis,” he says, over lots of shouting and loud music in the background.

“Hey, bud. Is now a bad time?” I ask.

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