Page 128 of Resting Beach Face
For now. But you’ll change your mind. I’m sure of it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Cash
Danny was whistlinga jaunty little tune when I joined Poppy at Just The Sip. I envied his good mood a little.
Declan had reassured me a lot last night. I loved that he wanted me with him—wherever he ended up living. And it meant a lot that he was willing to include Katelyn in our future together. But I hated that it was happening in the middle of all my dysfunctional family drama.
Declan was right, though. I couldn’t blame myself for the choices my mom made. If she insisted on drowning alongside Dad, if she refused to grab a lifeline or swim for shore, I couldn’t save her.
Danny pointed at me with me a grin, practically beaming waves of happiness my way. “Don’t tell me. You want the DP.”
I smiled back, my mood lightening. “You know me so well.”
“It’ll be ready in two minutes.” He grabbed a large travel cup and whirled away to make the drink.
I turned to Poppy. “Do I look okay?”
“Uh, yes?”
“I don’t smell bad or something?”
Her forehead furrowed. “No…”
“Then why is Danny, the biggest flirt in town, not so much as winking at me over ordering The DP?”
Poppy laughed. “I think maybe he’s got another guy on his mind.”
“Is that right, Danny? Have I been thrown over by a big man who’s good at kneading your mounds of dough?”
Danny cast a look over his shoulder. “You’re one to talk. I hear you’ve shacked up with Grumpy Bear.”
Poppy snorted a laugh.
“Yep,” I said proudly. “I’m living with my boyfriend. I’m that guy, and I don’t care who knows it.”
Danny finished my drink and set it on the glass counter between us. “Good for you. I’m glad it worked out.”
“Same to you. Sorry I had to bail on Operation Fake Date.”
Danny waved it off. “That’s all right. It was a stupid idea, anyway. Abe isn’t really the kind of guy who responds to games.”
I nodded. “I know what you mean. How did we end up with such mature men?”
“It’s a mystery!”
He whipped up Poppy’s drink next, then ran my credit card to cover the order. We took turns paying, and I was sure I owed her by now.
“I guess I don’t need to ask how the house hunt is going,” she said as we took a seat.
“Nope.” I sipped my double-praline cream, sighing at the sugary goodness. “I was pretty stressed about trying to find a place. I didn’t want Declan to feel obligated, you know?”
She nodded. “I’m guessing he changed your mind?”
I smiled. “Yeah. He isn’t just offering me a place to stay. He wants to live together, you know? That makes it differentsomehow. It probably doesn’t make much sense outside of my muddled head.”
“Sure, it does. You’re not a burden. You’re his partner who he wants with him.”
