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I hated being new. Some people enjoyed the rush of the first day of school or a new job, but not me. I didn’t like the nervous energy in my fingers. And I really didn’t want to make a fool of myself tonight.
The fridge was empty. Aly had taken all of my beer too. Damn it. Who took a man’s beer? That was just mean.
His eyes, locked on mine, darkened a shade. “I’ll take whatever you’ll give me.”
That was Poppy’s seat now. Any time I looked at the leather, I’d picture her riding shotgun.
I’d do something I’d never, ever done: I’d use my position as the chief of police’s son to handpick a case.
I scanned the menu, debating my options. Maybe one day I wouldn’t need a menu. Maybe I’d be around enough that I’d have all the choices memorized. And maybe one day I’d get a different greeting from Poppy. I’d be allowed behind the counter so I could tuck her into my side and kiss her hair as I said hello.
“You don’t beat around the bush, do you?” She shrugged. “Takes too long.”
“I’ll do anything I can to help you.”
He looked down at me and smiled, his dimples showing again. “Poppy Maysen, I think you’ve figured me out.” My heart thumped a bit harder. “Not quite.” “Give it time.”
“No apologies for tears, okay?”
“Someday, I’d like to call you my girlfriend and have you not go comatose, but I know we’re not there yet, so take a breath.”
Famous last words, my dude 🤭
“Wait.” My finger flew to her lips. “Let me say something before you take away the best feeling I’ve had in weeks.”
“Fuck,” I muttered at the same time Poppy whimpered.
“Damn, woman, you can cook.” “I’m glad you came in. I need to ask you something.” He stopped chewing. “Uh-oh.” “It’s not bad and you don’t have to say yes. I can always ask Finn.” He shook his head and swallowed. “No, I’ll do it.” “You don’t know what it is.” Cole shrugged. “Doesn’t matter.” “Sure it does.” He shrugged again. “Not really.” “What if I ask you to buy me tampons?” Jamie had always refused to go down the feminine products aisle at the grocery store. I was sure Cole would be the same. “Text me what you need and I’ll go to the store later.”
“Are you going to ever ask me your question or just play hypotheticals all afternoon? Because at some point, I do need to get back to the station, and it would happen a lot faster if you just realized that outside of breaking the law, I’ll say yes to anything you ask.”
I looked up through blurry eyes as he placed a handkerchief into my hand. “Mom always cries at weddings,” he whispered with a smile.
His finger left my chin as his hand framed my cheek. “I’ll never think badly about him. I’ll probably always be jealous. He had you first, and as much as I’m trying to be a grown-up about this, I’ve got a competitive streak myself. But I’ll never think badly of him. He was special to you, which makes him special to me. Weaknesses and all.”
My Poppy had no business being in that building.
In fact, there weren’t many places I wanted her living. The only acceptable place that came to mind was my own house. There, she could use my kitchen to experiment with new recipes. She could stack her girly wheat beer next to my Bud Light in the fridge. She could share my bed.
“Damn it, woman,” I cursed as she giggled from behind the swinging door.
Well, yeah, cuz don’t leave your fucking towel on the floor, my dude
This feels … toxic
“Fucking hell, woman.” He dropped his forehead to mine. “God, I could kiss you forever.”
The red brick exterior of his house was trimmed with white. The square pillars around the porch were thick and adorned with gables. A weaving vine snaked up the far corner to the second floor. All that was missing were two white rocking chairs and this porch would be the perfect place to watch children play in the front yard.
“It will always be me.”
When I hadn’t been strong enough to do something myself—when the pain had been too much—he’d done it for me.
If I knew who’d invented karate, I’d send them a thank-you note.
I don’t liiiiike it. I have nerves
Yet, I’m freaking out about jt
He is a POLICE DETECTIVE. How is he so flush with cash?!
But I seemed to be the only one who thought Nazboo was a ridiculous fucking name.
Seriously. He’s dropping serious money. Where is this money coming from?!
“Do you want to tell me why you picked a fight with me tonight?”
loved this woman. I loved this woman so damn much it consumed me. What the hell was my problem? Why was I holding back from telling her how I felt? Because I was scared that she was still in love with her husband? News flash, Cole. She would always have a special place in her heart for Jamie. That didn’t mean she couldn’t love me too. He had her past. I was taking her future. I’d get to buy her another dog. I’d get to watch her have our babies. I’d get to dance with her at our golden anniversary. Because I was never letting her go. As long as I lived, Poppy would be mine.
