Page 18 of Poppy Kisses
I recall liking Magnolia and Weston Duke. A small tendril of anxiety wound through me. Like Mom, I didn’t want to lie to them either. “Okay. When?”
“I don’t know! This weekend. Tomorrow.”
“Poppy, are you losing your shit?” She’d been detached at times when I’d talked to her before.
There was a moment of silence. “Yes.”
“Why? You knew this would happen.”
“I didn’t know it’d be this soon.”
That didn’t change much. “I can grill. We can do sandwiches. Wraps. Whatever.”
A squeak came over the line. “You don’t care?”
“We’re pretending for a good reason, and we’re both too old for your dad to be all‘you gonna treat my girl right?’” As a dad, I would understand any protectiveness, and I’d treat Poppy right. Hassie might’ve smashed my pride, but deep down, I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong except expect her to grow feelings where none could take root.
She let out a long exhale. “It’s happening.”
“I’m telling Mom and Auggie now.”
“How’s it going?” She was back to the professional tutor I’d talked to before.
“I’m in the entry talking to you.”
She chuckled. “Touché.”
I grinned, not minding at all that I was squirreled away with her on the phone. “I think Mom’s reeling, but I told her most of the deal.”
“Most?”
“I didn’t want her to feel bad about, you know, the typos.”
“Ah. She always had such a soft heart.”
“Soft but strong,” I agreed.
“I’m nervous, Jensen.” Vulnerability filled her voice, and I wanted to soothe it all away.
“It’ll be fine. It’s just another game. We play until the whistle blows.”
“I can still kick farther than you.”
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t, four-ten. I haven’t played kickball in twenty-five years.” I thought for a moment. She was nervous about the meet and greet. How could I ease that for her? “Wanna invite your siblings?”
“Which ones?”
“All of them.”
“All? Jensen, it’s tomorrow.”
“You saw my impressive juice bar.”
Her light laugh went right into my ear and curled around my heart. As a kid, I had liked a fired-up Poppy. Hearing her laugh? A new goal formed in my head. Make Poppy laugh more. And see her boot a ball across the yard again.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“I’m still in. I won’t be the first to cave.”
