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I head toward the stairs to take a quick shower before reaching out to Becket and Derek to see if they want to grab dinner and drinks when I hear a knock at the door. Pausing, I contemplate whether I should text Stu before answering, but then consider it could be the girls.
Opening the front door, my mouth falls ajar. The very last person I expected to see is standing in front of me. Her eyes fall to my chest, and her cheeks instantly blush.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Pop. Come in. I’ll run and grab a shirt.”
I close the door behind her before heading for my room. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.” Taking the steps two at a time, I quickly grab a shirt from my closet and change into a pair of gray sweatpants. My heart is racing. And it’s not from my workout.
I dart into the bathroom and run some gel through my wet hair. God. This woman turns me into a teenage boy every time I see her.
Jogging down the stairs, I find her perched on the couch. I don’t want to get my hopes up. Yet, I’d get back on my knees again if only she’d stay.
“Can I get you anything?”
“No. I’m fine.”
Coming closer, it appears her eyes are puffy. Has she been crying? “Poppy, is something wrong? Is your mom okay?”
She shakes her head and laughs.Laughs. “No. Everything is fine. At least, I hope so.”
I know I should probably give her some space. Sit across from her while she explains why she’s here. But I’m just too fucking weak.
Lowering myself to sit on the couch beside her, I take her in. Her sweet smile, those beautiful red lips, and blue eyes I could drown in.
“God, I’ve missed you.”
A blush stains her cheeks, and I realize I’ve said that out loud.
“Sorry.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
My heart rate starts to quicken, and I worry I might have to call Derek for a whole different reason if this keeps up. I’m not sure my heart can stand being rejected again.
“Pop, I’m almost afraid to ask. But why are you here?”
She turns, reaching for her purse.Damn. Is she going to return my cards?She retrieves a white box, lifting the lid to reveal my vase.
“How’d you get that?”
“It was delivered this morning,” she says, lifting it up high enough that my eyes land on the charm bracelet she’s wearing.What the—
“Poppy. I had no idea they’d send you that. Please don’t think I did this to influence your forgiveness,” I blurt.
“I don’t.” She scoots a little closer. “Your daughters are wonderful, Broadie. They came to see me and brought these.” She blinks a few times before looking up at me. “You should be so proud.”
“I am.” I’m baffled by all of this. What did they say to her?
“Not just of them.”
“What do you mean?”
“They told me everything. How you confessed what you did, warning them away from anyone who’d mistreat them. That you’ve cut back at work. And then this.” Her eyes fill with tears. “It’s genuinely the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” She sniffles as big, fat tears course down her cheeks.
“Baby, don’t cry. I don’t ever want to see you cry again.” I reach up, swiping away the droplets with my thumbs. “I hate that I hurt you. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. Not after what I did.”
“Forgiveness is a choice. One I hope is granted to me if I ever fall short. I don’t like what you did. And if you ever lie to me again, I’ll cut your balls off in your sleep. But I’m choosing to appreciate why you did it.”
“Because I’m fucking nuts about you?”
