Page 5 of Irresistible

“A genius,” Lilly answered before she took a healthy bite of her sandwich.

Brock slid the Tabasco sauce in her direction and then took a gulp of his beer. “Genius? I doubt it.”

Lilly mouthed something to herself silently as she doused her sandwich. Cutting it in half, she held it out to Brock. “Clearly you’re hangry. Eat this until your food comes.” She watched him hold the sandwich for a second before he took a bite. “Better?”

He swallowed and then wiped his mouth. “Yeah, thanks.”

Lilly watched Poppy and Brody exchange glances and wondered what they were up to. Raising her eyebrows, she stared at her friend and waited. When Poppy shook her head, she knew she would have to wait. “Brody, tell us exactly what meat-pie queen dreams look like.”

“A lot of bad taste,” Brody replied.

“Bless her heart,” Lilly and Poppy said in unison.

“The curse of a Southern woman,” Brock said as the waitress delivered their food.

“Pff. What do you know about Southern women?” Poppy asked as she finished her sandwich.

“More than I should,” Brock said as he dug into his food.

Lilly smirked. “What you know could fit inside a bottle cap.”

Poppy elbowed Brody and winked. “When do you think those two are going to give up the fighting and get to the loving?”

Lilly kicked her friend under the table. “Why are you stirring the pot?”

“’Cause I’m tired of watching the two of you avoid the truth,” she replied with enough sweetness to kill a diabetic.

“Maybe you should focus on your own avoidance.” Raising her eyebrows, she watched her friend’s face scrunch up in distaste. “I believe there’s a certain horse breeder who aggravates you every time you two are within a foot of each other.”

Brody leaned in and crossed his arms. “So exactly what’s happening out at the farm, Poppy? You got some man all hot and bothered?”

“I’ll have you know that Rowan is the vilest man that I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. He is overbearing, rude, and sanctimonious. I’ll never let any of my horses near his.”

“Is that a euphemism or are we talking about your actual horses?” Brody asked.

Poppy slammed her elbow into his side and snorted. “Horses.”

“I think he’s offering himself up for stud services along with his horses,” Lilly said, clapping her hands. “He’s a good-looking man, that is for damn sure. He’d make a fine option for a baby daddy. He’s also smart and doesn’t back down from a challenge.”

“If you like him so much, why don’t you date him?” Poppy asked sharply.

“’Cause he’s lusting after you.” Leaning across the table, she squeezed Poppy’s hand. “He’s gonna get you, one way or another. Or die trying.” Seeing Poppy close her eyes let her know that Poppy understood but wasn’t ready to accept it. “Unless, of course, you’re really waiting for Brady to find his way back home.”

Poppy let out an aggravated huff and swirled the straw in her soda. “Brady and I have been over since college. There is no waiting for either one of us.”

Brody finished his sandwich and laughed. “It might never be over between the two of you. Did you hear he was injured on the last rescue he and his team were on? He may end up at home while he heals.”

“He called me right after it happened,” Poppy replied. “I can’t believe he’s lasted as long as he has on HRT without a serious injury.”

“The FBI usually plays it safe and doesn’t send in the Hostage Rescue Team unless they think they’ll succeed,” Brock added. “As the middle brother, he tries to make his mark, and unfortunately that means taking more risks than he should.”

“Hello, pot, have you met kettle?” Lilly commented. “Not sure what eight years with MARSOC says about you.”

“Not what you’re thinking, that’s for sure,” Brock replied.

“Whatever,” Lilly said on a laugh. “Poppy, let’s play a game of pool before we go home. I think one of those boys over there might be a good candidate for monkey sex. We need a closer look, though.”

“Sounds good to me. I could use a change of scenery,” Poppy replied as she wiped her hands. Lifting her drink, she shoved her hip against Brody. “Move that cute butt of yours and let me out. Lilly and I are going to show those boys over there what a Southern woman is capable of and find someone for her to have relations with.”

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