Page 28 of Forever To Me

The front door to the motel opens, and Cami and Poppy come in, their happy energies a welcome distraction. Cami smiles big and holds up a paper bag. “I brought treats.”

“Hi, ladies,” I smile.

“We just wanted to see how you’re doing and if you’re settling in, okay,” Poppy says as she sits on one of the couches in the lobby.

“And I brought some lemon blueberry scones,” Cami says as she sets down a bag and peels off her jacket.

“Did you guys eat? I have leftover cowboy casserole if you want some?” I offer as I nod to thekitchen.

“Oh, I bet Maggie loves having you here,” Cami says as she stands to head to the small kitchen.

“Maggie does love having her here,” I hear Maggie tease as she comes through the back door and hangs up her coat.

“How was bingo?” I ask as I take a scone out of the bag.

Cami, clearly comfortable with Maggie’s kitchen, returns with a plate of reheated food. “This is so good. Did you have any?” she asks Maggie.

“No, I’ll be making a plate. That smells really good,” she says as she heads to the kitchen.

“Weird to have home-cooked food from your house, Maggie,” Poppy teases.

“Hey, I’ll have you know I’m excellent with a microwave,” she calls as she brings her plate to the desk across from where we’re sitting.

She glances at her watch. “Walker is supposed to come fix a clogged sink.”

“He already came,” I tell her.

All of their heads swivel at the same time to look at me. Poppy looks like she wants to say something, and Cami has a wicked grin on her face.

“Oh?” Maggie says curiously.

“He fixed the sink and had some dinner, too.” Then after I say it, I realize I just added fuel to the fire.

The three of them stare at me and then exchange smirks.

“So, you had a little dinner date?” Cami asks.

“No, I just had dinner ready when he arrived, so he had some, not a big deal.” I shrug.

“Oh, no,” Poppy says.

“Right?” Cami adds.

“Denial,” they all say at once.

“The chemistry between them is insane. You guys see it too, right?” Poppy adds.

They have a mini conversation about me as if I’m not here, and I don’t know whether to laugh or tell them to shut it. But I smile because I know they mean well.

“Just friends,” I protest, as I cross my legs and tap my foot.

“Yeah. Sure,” Cami says as she watches me and takes a bite.“Damn, girl. You can cook,”

“I love cooking,” I admit.

“Are you good at baking?” she asks.

“I’m decent,” I admit.

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