Page 64 of More Than Falling in Love

I nod as I walk out.It’s fine if he spends time with Poppy.My poor judgment shouldn’t ruin his fun.

Like the last time my world fell apart, I drown out the ache with work.When I finish my chores, I ask Dag for a few of his.Skipping lunch guarantees I won’t bump into Poppy, and hopefully, I’ll have my emotions corralled enough to make it through reading time tonight.

Late in the afternoon, I’m putting tools away when I hear Poppy outside the barn.

“Hey.It’s awful.”She’s sniffling, which makes me feel like I’m going to retch.“Exactly what I texted you.”

She’s quiet for a minute, presumably listening to the person at the other end of the conversation.

“When I first met him, the attraction was off the charts.He’s good-looking, chivalrous, but now it’s different.”

Listening to the conversation only makes this harder.I slip out of the tool barn and take the trail back toward where I left my truck.How could I have been so wrong about how she felt?

It’s not because she lives far away.That is her excuse.It’s me.

I’m the problem yet again.

Chapter 23

Poppy

“Hang on.I think I hear footsteps.”I peek around the barn, then inside.No one else is around.I’m hearing things.“Sorry.Where was I?”

Sarah sighs.“You were telling me that before it was all about attraction, but now you’re in love.”

“If I hadn’t tried to kiss his cheek, we wouldn’t be in this mess.And it’s awkward.I want to go back to being his friend.How do I do that?”

“The truth?”She’s winding up to lob a truth bomb at me.

“Yeah.”

“You can’t.There is no way to put champagne back into the bottle.”

I swipe at a tear, angry that she brought up champagne.“I spilled it down his shirt, so that analogy is poorly timed.”

“Sorry.First thing that popped into my head.But seriously, you can try.But if he wants a relationship and you don’t, you need to give him space.”

I don’t want to give Kent space.I want to kiss him again.But it’s not just about us.“The worst part?I told him the kiss was nice.”

“Oh, Poppy, you didn’t.”

“I did.I laid theniceword on him.But, in my defense, telling him that the kiss felt like a sunburst on my soul or a supernova erupting wouldn’t have been a great lead in to ‘We can’t do this.’You know?”

“I suppose, but dang, I feel for the guy.Nice?”

“You’re only making me feel worse.”I check the time.“I have to go.Dinner is in a few minutes.He skipped lunch, so I’m not sure he’ll even be there.Do I sit next to him?I want to, but if that’s going to inflict torment on him, I won’t.”I rub a hand over my face.“This is why I’ve avoided relationships.I’m no good at this.Not even a little bit.”

“I wish I had magical advice that would make it all better, but I don’t.I’m sorry.”Sarah is one of the smartest people I know, and if she doesn’t know what to do, it means I’ve made a huge mess.“Thanks for letting me vent.I’ll talk to you later.”

I shove the phone in my pocket and hoof it back toward the main house.Coming to the tool barn seemed like a good idea because I wanted privacy, but now that I’m walking back, I’m regretting that choice.

Parker rolls down his window as he pulls alongside me.“Want a ride?”

“Sure.”I run around and climb into the passenger seat.“Thanks.”

“Have a fight?”

“What makes you say that?”I wipe my eyes, hoping they aren’t too red.

---