Page 4 of Poppy's Place

Chapter 4

Carter

Poppy’s Place.

I’d been rolling those two words around in my brain for the last twenty-four hours, and my curiosity was killing me. The old signage had been removed and bright pink shutters had been installed outside of all the front-facing windows, both upstairs and downstairs. Window boxes were added to the upstairs windows, so it seemed that Poppy was moving into the full building, not just the lower retail space.

But what the hell was a private playroom anyway? I didn’t know much about daycare centers, but I hadn’t seen any hints of parents with babies or strollers going in or out of there. And I’d been watching the window all afternoon, doing most of my work from inside the coffee shop so I had a clear view of the shop without looking like a stalker.

Even though I totally was.

There was just something about Poppy that made me want to learn more. Maybe it was the fact that she reacted when I told her I was single by saying she was too. But that wasn’t totallyunusual. Lots of women would probably state their status after hearing me state mine. And why did I even say that? It wasn’t my normal move to go around telling women I was single as a first introduction.

Nothing gave off creeper vibes more than desperation, but that was exactly what I was.

But it wasn’t about me. It was about her. Poppy. Beautiful Poppy with her pink cheeks and red hair and big eyes that looked like they’d follow me anywhere… Even when she appeared to have been lounging on the couch or maybe painting all day, she was absolutely gorgeous.

I wanted to release the clip half holding her messy bun together and run my fingers through her locks as I gently massaged her scalp. And then I’d move my hands down her soft body, massaging everything else.

Fuck, I wasn’t gonna be able to sleep until I had some answers.

As I stared out the window, Poppy emerged from her front door and looked straight at my shop, not glancing left or right before stepping off the curb and into the street. My breath hitched, and I was on my feet before she realized a car was coming and she stepped back, placing her hand over her heart as she walked twenty feet to the corner crosswalk and hit the button for the light.

My brow furrowed as I thought about what I would say to her if she were my girl. Crossing the street without looking both ways was a non-negotiable rule that would earn a good spanking if it were broken.

But she wasn’t my girl. Not yet, anyway.

I sucked in a deep breath to calm my nerves and relaxed as she walked straight toward my door. Since I was tucked away in the corner, I wasn’t surprised when she walked right past me and went straight to the counter. What I was surprised by was that she seemed to know Kylie, my best barista.

“Ky, can you believe it’s finally today?” Poppy was bouncing on her toes in the most adorable way. From my angle, I could see her profile, and she was an absolute doll. “I’m so excited for tonight, but I’m also nervous. What if the other Little Lovelies don’t like it? I think I’ve thought of everything, but what if I haven’t? What if it’s terrible?”

“Poppy, breathe. It’s gonna be perfect. We’re all so excited for tonight and so grateful that you’re doing this for us.” Kylie was getting a raise for the way she reached over the counter and grabbed both of Poppy’s fidgety hands to comfort her. “We know how expensive it’s all been for you to do this for us, and there’s nothing that could make it terrible.” She bit the inside of her cheek and looked up to the ceiling with just her eyes like she was thinking. “Except, maybe, no snacks and juice. Which I’ve got covered. So enjoy the next thirty minutes, get changed and in the right mindset for fun, and get ready for the greatest playdate ever.”

What the hell? As I watched their interaction and listened to the words, puzzle pieces were falling into place as others were being plucked right out. I’d made some assumptions about Poppy and her business that might not have been warranted. And this new information was triggering my Daddy instincts in spades.

Little Lovelies. Snacks and juice. Mindset. Playdate.

Was it possible that Kylie and Poppy were Littles?

Kylie handed a small drink to Poppy, and as Poppy rushed to the front door to leave, I cleared my throat, making sure she heard me.

Poppy’s whole body stilled as she looked over at me. It wasn’t my imagination that her breath hitched as she took a step in my direction. “Oh, hi, Carter. I didn’t see you over there.”

“Sounds like you’ve got something exciting to get ready for tonight.” It was on the tip of my tongue to come out and ask for details, but I was still a stranger, and I hoped she had more of a sense of privacy than to just tell me everything.

Even though I really wanted her to.

She grinned widely and wrapped both hands around her cup. “Yeah, just a little party with my friends to celebrate our new…um, house.”

“That’s great.” I glanced over to her building. “It’s looking really nice. Your shutters are very playful.”

“Yay! That’s what I was going for. I’m glad you think so.” She glanced at her watch and bounced on her toes. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I need to get back there before my friends arrive, but, um, maybe I’ll see you around sometime.”

“I hope so.” I smiled and held her gaze, hoping she could see my interest. “Have fun tonight.”

“Thank you, Carter.” She turned toward the door and rushed to pull it open.

“Be careful, beautiful.”

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