Page 48 of I'll Keep Her Safe

Poppy nods, still not meeting my gaze.

“It was him, wasn’t it?”

“I think so,” she whispers. “I don’t know for sure, but I asked Dave to describe him, and yeah, it sounded exactly like him.” She looks up at me. “I thought I’d seen him outside a while ago, but then I figured I was being paranoid.”

“No.” Anger ignites in my veins, and I pace the kitchen as I speak, Sugar chasing my heels. “Never ignore your intuition. If you thought he was there, then he was.”

She drops her head into her hands. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Mat— Wyatt.”

I spin on my heel and stride over to her, gently taking her hands away from her face. “You have nothing to apologize for. You’ve done nothing wrong. Nothing.”

She nods, straightening up. “You’re right. I know that.”

“Could we talk to your boss? Explain about Kurt?”

“I tried, but Dave said he had to listen to the customer. They were threatening to post on social media…”

“Right.” I can see why her boss would have done what he did. Poppy hasn’t been there long enough for him to feel any loyalty to her, and a bad review going viral can sink a small business. “Anyway,” I add, thinking aloud, “I wouldn’t want you working there anymore. Not now that he knows where to find you.”

“Yeah,” she agrees. “I just… I hate that he’s won.Again.”

My heart clenches at her despondent tone, and I grind my teeth. “He hasn’t won. I won’t let him get away with this.”

Her brow wrinkles. “What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure yet, but I’ll think of something.” I flex my fist, and Poppy’s gaze follows the motion.

“He’s not worth it.” She sighs wearily. “Let’s just forget it.”

“Forgetit?” I stare at her, incredulous. How can I possibly forget what that prick has done to her?

“Yes. The best thing I can do is move on.”

I splutter in disbelief. “He needs to have his ass kicked,” I grate out. “I’d be more than happy to do the honors.”

A small laugh huffs out of her, and her eyes meet mine, flashing with gratitude. “Yeah, he does, but it will only cause more trouble. Let’s just forget it,” she repeats.

“I don’t know if I can let this go.”

“Well… I’m asking you to.” She searches my face, like she’s trying to read something I’m hiding. “Please promise me you won’t do anything.”

“I…” My breath gusts out as I take in her words. I want nothing more than to track Kurt down and make him pay for all the hurt he’s caused her, but if she doesn’t want me to, then I have to listen. I have to respect her wishes. “Fine,” I agree at last, against every fiber of my being.

“Good.” She lifts her chin, gaze hardening with defiance. “Anyway, I won’t let him stop me. I refuse to let him defeat me.”

I gaze at her in admiration. Despite everything he’s done, she can rise above it. All I can think about is inflicting bodily harm on him, but she’s already gathered herself enough to move on to the next thing.

The oven timer dings and she pulls yet another tray of cookies from the oven. She hovers, searching for free counter space, and I clear some room.

“That’s probably enough cookies,” I say gently, and she gives me a grim smile.

“Sorry. It’s what I do when I’m stressed.” She looks at her hands. “The worst part of this is that I’ve probably lost my new friend, Daisy.”

“Our neighbor?” I’ve always liked Daisy, ever since she moved in with Weston late last year. He lost his wife a while back and has had a hell of a time of it. It’s been great to see him happy again.

Poppy nods. “She worked with me at Joe’s, but now…”

“I’m sure she’ll still want to hang out with you,” I assure her, and Poppy shrugs. “Did she buy what Dave said?”

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