Page 81 of Never Really Over

“Damn right I did. It worked, too. Got you there just under the wire.”

“Was I really so scary?”

“To a teenage guy desperately in love who was trying to stay on his girlfriend’s mom’s good side, you were definitely scary. I didn’t want to do anything to mess up and have you tell her we couldn’t see each other anymore.”

Desperately in love.I press my lips together but it doesn’t stop the smile that takes over my face.

The rest of the meal passes with more memories being shared as well as new stories neither of us have heard. I was nervous that it would be awkward when we talked about the time we were apart, but it isn’t. In fact, it’s the opposite.

We eventually move into the living room after our stomachs are completely full of the best meal I’ve had in years. Poppy toddles around on the floor where her new puppy chews on a toy, making it squeak, and I take a seat on the plush carpet. She brings me toys and bosses me around in her own little language.

Colt never one interferes and tells me that I don’t have to play with her or tries to get Poppy to focus on something else. He lets us play and I wonder if he can sense that I need and want this.

“Did you bring Poppy’s gift with you?” Mom asks, even though she knows I did.

“Oh, right! I left it in the kitchen. I’ll go grab it.” I move to get up but Mom stops me.

“I’ve got it,” she says, leaving us alone.

“She likes you,” Colt says.

“Well, that’s a good thing since she’s my mom.”

He barks out a laugh. “Well, I’m sure she does, too, but I was talking about Poppy. She warmed right up to you and usually is a little more hesitant at first.”

“Maybe it’s because I was here Saturday night and she remembers me.”

“Maybe. Or it could just be you. Or maybe it’s because she can sense thatIlike you.”

I glance up at him. He’s sitting on the edge of the couch, elbows on his knees as he watches Poppy and me play together, an expression crosses his face that tells me I didn’t need to be nervous. Poppy stands up and returns with a book, sitting down on my lap.

“Maybe she senses that the feeling’s mutual,” I say.

Mom rejoins us, breaking the tension that’s thick between us and hands the bag to Colt.

Poppy could care less, she’s too interested in the book I’m reading her. It’s all about a mouse and a cookie. A classic story that never gets old. I’m surprised she sits through it, but she doesn’t move once while I read it to her. Cover to cover. She sticks her thumb in her mouth and plays with my hair while I read.

It’s a little uncomfortable knowing that Colt and my mom are sitting here listening as well, but when I look up, I see that I’m alone with Poppy.

I have no idea where they went, or when, but I wonder if Colt is taking this opportunity to talk with Mom and alleviate her guilt a little bit. Or maybe they just took Maverick outside to do his business since he’s missing from the party, too.

When the book is finished, Colt and Mom still haven’t returned so I reach over and help Poppy unwrap the gifts I brought.

She squeals and hugs the stuffed cow, tosses the clothes on the floor, and hands me the book before climbing back into my lap, pointing to the book.

“Demanding little thing, aren’t you?” I say, laughing.

Poppy settles into my lap, making herself comfortable with her thumb in her mouth, fingers playing with my hair, and stuffed cow tucked in the crook of her elbow.

I kiss the top of her head, happiness coursing through me.

As I’m reading to her, I feel her body grow heavier and heavier, her breathing slows and her arm drops away from my hair.

Did I really just get her to sleep?

I peek around and see her eyes are closed. It’s around eight-thirty so I’m sure it was getting close to her bedtime, or way past it, but I’m feeling pretty proud of myself. Of course, she probably needed a diaper change and a bath. Maybe a bottle and a change of clothes into her pajamas, but she feels comfortable enough with me that she fell asleep in my arms.

That’s a win for me.

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