Page 70 of Spotlight on Poppy

Josh-Can you come over?

Poppy- On my way

He took a breath and closed his eyes. He could do this. Maybe his sister was right, maybe if he lost the house, he wouldn't lose her. He had to cling to that hope until she showed up.

CHAPTER30

Poppy

Poppy pulled up outside of Josh's house. She had been surprised to get the text from him. She thought he was having a night with his sister, but she was glad to be seeing him. She couldn't wait until they would have all the time in the world to be together.

She walked up to the front door and knocked. Lexi answered the door, which was not what she was expecting.

"Hi Lexi, I hope I'm not intruding, but Josh texted me and asked me to come over," Poppy said with a polite smile.

"I know, he's having a rough night. He's in his room," Lexi said with a look on her face that Poppy didn’t quite know how to read. She opened the door and let Poppy in.

"I'll just go find him then," Poppy said.

Poppy made her way up the stairs. What was wrong? She could not stand the thought of him upset. She never could, but even more so now.

She knocked quietly on his door.

"Come in," he said in a rough voice.

She opened the door and found him sitting on the edge of his bed. His eyes were red, and he looked exhausted. The sight of him looking like this broke her heart.

"Hey, what's going on?" she asked quietly as she walked into his room.

His head dropped into his hand, and she watched as his breathing increased. She went to him straight away and kneeled right between his knees on the floor, her hands firm on his knees.

"What's wrong?" she implored.

He remained quiet, his head in his hands as he took slow deliberate breaths. She stayed right there, kneeling before him, watching him. She would not rush him, but she would be here for him, because without a doubt, she knew he would be there for her. Hell, he would be there doing the same thing for anyone, but she felt a sense of honor that she got to be the one to help him.

She sat there for what felt like an eternity, hands firmly on his knees waiting for him to be able to talk to her. He finally looked up at her. His eyes were wet with tears. She moved her hand up to his face and wiped away the tears.

He took a breath and steeled himself to tell her whatever it was he needed to tell her. She took his hand and gave him time, but her heart was starting to race. He gripped her hand like he was trying to hold on to her, like she was his anchor. What on earth could have him this upset?

"I don't think I’m going to get the Whitney house."

He was so defeated when he said it. She sat there waiting for him to continue, but nothing else came.

"Is that why you are so upset?" she asked.

"Partly."

"What's the other part?"

"I know how much you wanted that house and how the vision you got in that house was a big part of the reason you decided to stay, and I just don't want you to change your mind. I'm sorry. I am such a mess,” he said, collapsing back in on himself.

"Oh Josh, yes, I want the house, but it has nothing to do with how much I love you."

He released a shaky breath.

She continued, "And please don't apologize, I’m honored to be here and help you through whatever you’re going through. You help everyone all the time. It feels like a gift to be here for you."

She held his face between her hands. He needed to know how she felt, because if he thought her feelings were tied to the house then he didn't understand the depth of what she felt for him.

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