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9
***Jude***
IfinallyfoundPoppysitting on top of a random desk in another part of the office, eating canapés with Gerald. She’d taken off her shoes and was sitting with her feet tucked under her and his jacket over her lap. I’d talked to Sasha for a while before giving in to the need to find Poppy, nearly losing my mind thinking that Gerald was harassing her, and there she was, having the time of her life with the man.
I was in a shit mood because the more I talked to Sasha, the more I compared her to Poppy. I wanted to go home and crawl into my bed, but I was standing there, watching Poppy laugh at something Gerald had said.
I cleared my throat and nodded at her. “Ready to go?”
She nodded and turned a bright smile on Gerald. “Thanks for the company, Gerald. Remember what I said about Muffy.”
It didn’t take much to see that Gerald was already halfway in love with her as he stood up and stared after her. “Of course, Poppy Summers. Don’t be a stranger. Come back to see me anytime.”
I took his jacket from Poppy and tossed it back to him with a curt goodbye. Before I did anything stupid like punching out a business partner, I put my hand on Poppy’s back and guided her away from the man. Once we were outside and waiting on my truck to be brought around, I noticed that she was frowning as much as I felt like I was.
“What’s wrong?”
She wrapped her arms around herself and shook her head. “Nothing.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Liar.”
She glared back at me. “Did you have a good time?”
“What are you talking about? When?”
“When you left me with Gerald while you played footsie with your new love interest. Gerald and I had over an hour to get to know each other, so I imagine you and Sasha must’ve made leaps and bounds in your relationship.”
“Did Gerald try something with you?” My truck pulled up in front of us and Poppy hurried to open her door. “Answer me, Poppy.”
She swore and slapped her hand to her head. “I walked all the way through the building with no shoes. I left them up there.”
I didn’t give a fuck about the shoes. I yanked open her door and lifted her into her seat, all while she protested. “Buckle up, Poppy. I’ll worry about the shoes later.”
When I got in on my side, Poppy was already staring straight ahead with a scowl on her face. She didn’t look at me as she answered my earlier question. “Gerald was a gentleman, mainly because I told him I’d injure him if he wasn’t.”
“Good. He needs to keep his hands and eyes to himself.” I knew I sounded like a jealous asshole, but I couldn’t stop it in the moment.
“Did you make plans with Sasha?”
My stomach dropped. I didn’t want to admit the truth. I’d never lied to Poppy, though, and I wasn’t about to start. “She gave me her number and I’m supposed to call her sometime this week to set something up.”
“Great! Then your plan worked. Another perfect execution by Jude Allen.” She turned her face to the window and I could tell by the set of her jaw that she was done talking to me.
It didn’t mean I was done talking to her, though. “What’s your problem, Poppy? Did you not like her?”
She stayed silent.
“Jesus, Poppy. This ends tonight. I’m not letting things get worse between us. You’ve been my best friend for most of my life and whatever’s wrong gets fixed tonight. Ignore me now if you want, but when we get to your house, we’re talking.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and still didn’t speak. I knew her, though. I knew that by the time we got home, she wouldn’t be able to keep her mouth shut. It was probably eating her up that she couldn’t say what she wanted to say already.
I drove faster than I should’ve to get us back to her house and we both slammed my truck doors before stomping up to her door. Bogie came running over and I glanced over at Sam’s house to see him watching me follow Poppy inside. I waved and tried to squelch whatever guilt that made me feel. I didn’t understand the feelings I was having.
“You shouldn’t have done that tonight.” Poppy was already facing me with her hands on her hips. “You shouldn’t have kissed me and pinned me to that wall just for some weird show with Sasha.”
I frowned. “Is that what you think?”
“Yeah, it is. What happened a few days ago is embarrassing and nothing I want to talk about again, much less have it used to draw in some woman for you.”
