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Chapter 16
Poppy
My eyes flit around rapidly, taking in the scenery. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back to the east coast, and the moment we stepped outside the airline terminal, the smell of salt air and humidity struck me.
“I’m thinking take-out tonight. There’s not much at the house.”
“Let’s stop by the store and I’ll cook dinner,” I offer.
“Baby, the only reason to turn you down is our first night doesn’t include work.” He squeezes my hand on his thigh.
“I don’t mind and we’re still on west coast time. A simple pasta and salad isn’t work. Surely, you have a strainer and some bowls in that sparse kitchen.”
He glances my way and grins. “Yeah, I have those things.”
“Well, that’s a start.”
He brings my hand to his mouth and runs his lips across my rings. “We’ll go shopping.”
Evin explained his townhome is in a community near his family. It’s furnished top to bottom, courtesy of his mom and sister, but his kitchen is slim in supplies.
This excited me for a weird reason. It gives me an opportunity to buy things for us.
His phone rings and he groans when the name pops on his navigation screen, making no move to answer.
“Aren’t you going to answer?”
“Nope, she thinks we’re in the air. She’ll leave a message.”
“Sweetie, let’s talk to her.”
He side-eyes me again and pushes a button on his steering wheel. “Hey, Mom.”
“Oh no, you’re answering, does that mean there’s a delay again?”
“No, we’re not delayed.”
“Where are you?”
“Hi, Mrs. Graham,” I pipe in.
Her abrupt silence turns my stomach. Maybe she wanted to talk to him privately.
“Mrs. Graham? Evin, have you been telling this woman I’m old? I’m not a Mrs. To family, I’m Annie. I knew this would happen! You and your sister are keeping her from me and now she thinks I’m an old bat!”
I gasp, horrified, and Evin blows out an annoyed breath. “No, old bat, she has manners.”
“Poppy, honey, are you there?”
“Yes,” I croak.
“Call me Annie. I appreciate your manners, but no matter what my children have said, I’m cool.”
“Jesus,” Evin grumbles.
I bite my lip and sink into the seat. “Hi, Annie.”
“That’s better. Where are y’all?”
“In transit across the country to get home.”
“You’re here,” she breathes excitedly, screaming, “Edward, they’re here!”
“I didn’t say that,” Evin counters.
“You didn’t have to. When you’re a parent, you know things. Now. It’s not too late, we can meet you at your—”
“No,” he cuts her off.
“Are you saying no to your mother?” She feigns hurt so sarcastically sweet that even I can read through.
“Yep.”
It’s my turn to squeeze his hand as I speak up. “Annie, I’m a mess. We have been in airports since early my time, and I worked last night until after midnight. Evin’s had to wake me up several times today.”
He rolls my ring on my finger and grins.
“I get it. Being a performer in a top show in Vegas has to wear you out. You need to rest, regroup, and get acclimated.”
“Thank you.” Although none of that is true.
“Good thing we all prepared.”
Evin tenses and his smile dies. “What does that mean?”
“Edward and I went over to get the package off your front porch and drop off something for a late dinner. Ashlyn and Miller were already there and stocked your fridge with basics.”
“Do I want to know how they got into my place?”
“Darby gave them instructions since she’s already in Kiawah with Stephanie.”
“Of course she did.”
“We got your bed set up and the boxes out.”
“Mom, you opened my delivery? I asked one favor and that was not it.”
“It was a colossal mess! I couldn’t leave it in the den for Poppy’s first impression. The favor is taken care of, too.”
“That all?” His patience gone.
“Yes. We’ll pop by in the morning for breakfast before you leave. The dinner in the fridge is simple, and instructions are posted on top.”
“Mom, we haven’t decided to leave tomorrow.”
“What about the bonfire?”
Evin mentioned the pre-wedding dinner and bonfire with no interest. I’m torn because it sounds amazing, but time with Evin is limited.
“Annie, we’re contemplating it because Evin wants to show me around.”
His eyes slice to me, expressing that was the wrong thing to say.
“I can help! Lived here all my life.”
“We’re done, Mom. Thanks for all you did.”
She huffs, then a man’s voice fills the cab. “Son, we’ll call before we come. But breakfast is a given,” he states solidly.
“Call after nine.”
“Gotcha.” The line goes dead.
He pulls through a round-about and stops in front of a gate with a large NO TRESPASSING sign. “Wait here.”
He rounds the truck and comes to my door.
“Where are we?”
He punches a few keys on the gate’s keypad and it slides open, then he hoists me out of the truck. “You’ll see.”
We walk hand in hand down a lit path until there’s a large opening, and I freeze, gasping. To our side is a mansion so beautiful, it’s hard to believe it’s real. The lights are on and people are walking around inside the house.
