Page 102 of Home Field Advantage
Eh.
That’s a shame because I heard the guy was curious to know if you want to come over for a movie night with Sage.
Her request…if that helps you make up your mind.
I feel like I’m holding my breath, waiting for her response. The reply bubble dances on and off again. My stomach is in knots thinking she doesn’t want to come over. I don’t blame her, honestly. She has a routine, and I’m attempting to derail it. I put my phone face down on the kitchen counter and put the popcorn in the microwave. The entire two minutes that the bag is popping, I pick up my phone and put it back down.
As soon as I put the popcorn in a bowl, there’s a soft knock on my back sliding door. I spin around and see Poppy on theother side of the glass. She’s lifting her hand in a shy wave, but she’s smiling. It’s a breathtaking one, too—like they all are. They stop me dead in my tracks, frozen in place, but also wanting to run to her, wrap her in my arms, and tell her all the things that run through my mind when I see her.
She laughs through the glass and points to the handle of the door.
Oh, it’s locked.
When I open it, she doesn’t move. She looks up at me, her emerald eyes glistening in the soft glow of the back porch light.
“You came.”
“You asked.”
I look over my shoulder, and Sage is nowhere to be found, so I face Poppy again. I lean down, with one hand on the sliding door and the other on the frame, and press my lips to hers. She lifts both hands, resting them on my chest as she melts into my kiss. When I finally pull away so we get caught, I’m smiling down at her.
“Way to leave me on the edge of my seat, though,” I say, before stepping to the side and allowing her in. She crosses the threshold, and she engulfs every inch of the kitchen—her presence known by my mind and body. One stop through, and she makes a house feel like a home. She brings warmth and sunshine even if it’s dark outside.
“You thought I’d say no?”
“I was hoping you’d say yes.”
Placing my hand on the small of her back, I guide her to the living room. I remove my hand as soon as we enter, so Sage doesn’t get any ideas. Poppy is still her teacher, and I don’t want to cause problems for her because I can’t control myself.
Sage sits up on the couch, eyes wide. “Poppy! You came for movie night!”
“I did.” Poppy giggles, making her way to the couch to sit next to Sage. “I couldn’t pass up the invite.” Her eyes move from Sage to mine as if there’s a double meaning to it. Or maybe I’mreading too much into it. “Besides, I can’t remember the last time I sat down to watch a full movie.”
“Yay!” Sage dances in her seat. “I asked Daddy if we could watchAir Bud, but we can watch something else if you want. You can pick the movie.”
“I’ll watch whatever you want to watch.”
“I’m in the mood for a sports playing dog. I was gonna do the basketball one, but we can watch the baseball one if you like that sport better.”
“Which one is a ten out of ten in your opinion?”
Sage grips her chin, deep in thought. “That’s tough. The basketball one is superior. But I cried the first time I watched it, and I don’t know if I want to be the reason you cry tonight.”
“But is it a happy ending?” Poppy asks, and Sage nods. “Then let’s do the basketball one since it’s superior.”
My heart swells in my chest as I watch these two interact. Sage looks at Poppy like she’s the moon and the stars, while Poppy looks at Sage like she’s the best thing to ever happen to her.
But little does Poppy know,she’sthe best thing that has happened tous.
I’ve spent so long harping on all the things I’ve done wrong in life. All the reckless and impulsive decisions that ultimately led to everything falling apart around me. Witnessing these two together was the reminder I needed to look around and appreciate all the things going right as well.
The one clear thing…Poppy fits with us.
It’s not because she’s a teacher and good with kids.
She genuinely fits into our lives.
I grab the popcorn from the kitchen and load the movie on the TV. Sage is cuddled under Poppy’s arms. Both of them look like they’re about to fall asleep.
