Page 129 of Stay Wild Darlin’

“Boo and boyfriend,” she murmured, reaching for my fork. “We’re doing this, huh?”

“Yeah,” I said softly. “We really are.”

44

Poppy

Months Later

“Are you sure I’m not overdressed for their anniversary party?”

I did a quick spin in front of the mirror, the short yellow dress fluttering around my thighs. The fabric was light, which was perfect for the warmer weather that had finally settled in.

The circuit finals were coming up next week, which meant Dalton would be busier than ever. With that looming Beau and Fable were celebrating their anniversary early this year.

I looked around the bedroom, that warm tightness curling in my chest. It was hard to believe this space had once felt unfamiliar. I’d moved into the primary bedroom months ago, which meant it wasn’t Dalton’s space anymore.

It was ours.

With me came the throw pillows, the woven rugs, the small jungle of plants I couldn’t seem to stop collecting. Dalton even let me paint the walls a dark, earthy green, something deep and comforting that made the whole room feel more like us, more lived-in and intentional.

He hadn’t hesitated. He only handed me the roller and said, “Do what you want, darlin’.”

The guest room had slowly turned into a mix between an oversized closet and a playroom for Cora. Her toys were everywhere, scattered between bins and baskets that barely contained them. There was a little bookshelf in the corner we’d thrifted together, filled with all her bedtime stories and chewed-up board books.

When I stood in this yellow dress, sunlight slanting in through the curtains, I didn’t just feel like someone living here.

I felt like someone who belonged here.

“It’s perfect,” he murmured and pressed his lips against my bare skin.

The house was quiet except for the soft hum of the baby monitor. Cora had gone down without a fuss—thank God—which meant we were actually on track for being out the door on time. A miracle.

“Hello?”

I smiled as I walked down the hall, already pulling on my denim jacket. “Hey! We’re in here.”

Maribel stepped into the living room, smiling wide, hair pulled back into a braid that made her look younger than she was. “You ready for your night out?” She set her purse by the bench near the front door.

I nodded as I reached for my boots. “Almost. She went down at 6:45, so she should be good. She usually stirs around midnight for a quick bottle but sometimes not even that.”

Dalton came around the corner, fresh in jeans and a dark button-up, settling his cowboy hat on his head. “Hey, Maribel.”

She gave him a warm smile. “Don’t you look sharp tonight.”

He tipped his hat like the show-off he was, then stepped into his boots by the door.

I gestured toward the kitchen. “Okay—everything you need is on the table.”

She followed me as I laid it all out: a neatly handwritten sheet with emergency numbers, her doctor’s info, the Wi-Fi password (which she already had but I added it anyway), and a list of bottle instructions in case.

“Okay,” I said, pointing. “So, bottle’s already prepped in the fridge. If she wakes, warm it for like fifteen seconds—she doesn’t like it super hot. Diapers and wipes are in the basket in the hallway. Monitor’s here.” I handed it to her. “You’ve got our numbers, and we’ll both have our phones on.”

Maribel chuckled, taking the monitor from me and patting my hand. “Poppy, honey. I’ve got it. I’ve watched Cora before, remember?”

“I know,” I admitted with a laugh, cheeks flushing. “It’s . . . I think this is the first time we’re going out like, as a couple, with everyone else. Usually it’s Fable and Beau watching her. Harleigh sometimes. You—when you’re not busy, but since they’re all at the anniversary party tonight that leaves . . .”

“Me,” she finished, smiling softly.