Page 62 of Poppy Kisses
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting something better.” It sucked to be the one left behind because they weren’t enough, but Poppy hadn’t left anyone behind. Just a trail of men who didn’t deserve her.
We ate our meal, chatting about the food and different recipes, then cleaned up. When the dishes were done and the counter wiped, I hovered by the island. Was she going to retreat to her room for the night? Tell me she wanted to have sex? My arousal was instant and choking, but I’d kicked the ball to her. She had to decide what to do with it.
She wandered to the front window. “It’s beautiful out. I might have a beer outside. Wanna join me?”
Abso-fucking-lutely. “Sure.”
I grabbed a couple of bottles and met her on the porch. She sprawled on the porch swing and accepted the longneck bottle. “I never dreamed of a place like this. Not since we moved.”
Her leg muscles flexed as she pushed against the porch boards to rock back and forth. I took one of the Adirondack chairs but cocked it to face her. “What did you dream of?”
“I missed our old house. I hear it has excellent new cabinets now.”
She was teasing, but that didn’t douse the spark of pride I got from working on that job and for a guy I had respected growing up. “I hear the Perez house is getting some nice ones.”
“Mm. I’ve heard the same rumor.” She took a drink. “Dad is beside himself to see the work you’re doing. He wants me to send pictures as you go.”
The young kid who lost his dad rose up inside me, ready for his approval. “He can be the first to see the portfolio.”
“You don’t mind?” She gently swung as she watched me. “My dad getting into your business?”
Her dad had to sign off on us, so no. It was smart to have him involved. But excitement to show off to him grew in my chest. “Sometimes I wish I could show my dad what I’ve done.”
She straightened from her reclining position. “Oh, Jensen.”
I waved off her concern. “I don’t mean to get serious.” It’d been a long time, but the loss was there. I missed a man I had too few memories of. “No, it’s an honor to have a dad take interest. Mom’s proud, but you know, it’s not the same. Dad was always the one out in the shop.”
“How much of your skills did you get from him?”
“Most of the basics and all of his tools.”
“I think Jasper gets dibs on Dad’s tools. If he ever moves to his own place. Terminal bachelor right there.”
“Takes us all by surprise.”
She chuckled, but then she contemplated me. “You’re not going to be a bachelor for long.”
“Another year to be a married man.” This time would be different. I knew what I was getting myself into.
“What was it like?” she asked softly. “To be married when it’s not fake.”
I held back a bitter laugh. I wasn’t sure how much of my marriage had been real. “I don’t know if I’m the one to ask. Hassie and I weren’t on the same page, and that made it harder. Mom said marriage shouldn’t be that difficult.”
“Right person, wrong time?”
I wasn’t sure about that either. The right person would have never made me feel that way. “Something like that.”
She chewed on her lower lip and stared into the distance.
Like always, I hated talking about my ex to Poppy. She was light, funny, and full of energy. The opposite of my marriage. “What would your Prince Charming be like? You know, if you were able to marry for love instead of a house.”
“The house is a really good deal, and it’s coming with awesome cabinets and some free handiwork.”
I laughed. “Got it.”
She fell quiet for a moment. “Well…I’d want what my parents have. A ride or die. Someone who always supports me. When Mom first started writing, she was told that she could never make a living off of kids’ books. I strongly suspect she outearns Dad.”
“No kidding?”
