Page 109 of Wicked Love

Later, when the plates are cleared and Becca is tucked in bed—a miracle because she was buzzing with excitement—Poppy lingers. She belongs here, now more than ever.

“Stay here tonight?” I ask. I’ve asked her to stay often, but she’s never stayed the full night.

“I can stay a little longer,” she says.

I lead her to my bedroom and close the door quietly. Poppy moves toward the window, looking out at the moonlit yard. I slip behind her, sliding my arms around her waist. She leans back into me.

I swallow hard. “What if you stayed…permanently?”

She stiffens and turns in my arms to face me.

“Move in with us?” I ask.

Her mouth parts and I reach up to cup her cheek. She leans into my hand.

“That wouldn’t be taking things very slowly,” she says.

“Think about it?” I ask.

She nods, her smile shy.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice almost a whisper. “For being here. For fitting seamlessly into my life…for giving me the courage to hope again.”

Her eyes get glassy.

“For everything,” I continue. “For making me so happy.”

“You make me so happy too,” she whispers.

We kiss, slow and unhurried, savoring every touch. Holding her like this, my body boiling over with desire for her, my heart stays calm.

I didn’t know when I met her that she’d be the antidote to my turmoil.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

LULLABY PLAYLISTS

POPPY

The weather is perfect outside for our impromptu party. We’re at Bowie’s house—I still haven’t agreed to move in with him. I don’t know what I’m waiting for…I want to move in with him. I guess part of me just still needs to be sure he’s all in this formeand not just because I’m having his baby. I think he is, but he hasn’t exactly made any bold declarations about his feelings yet. Still…everything he does makes me feel like he’s inthis for me.

I know how I feel about him. I’ve gone and fallen in love with Bowie Fox.

I mean, who could blame me? It was basically a foregone conclusion, right?

But I’m trying so hard to maintain my wits. After all, I have pregnancy brain, so I’ve needed to be extra smart and mindful to combat that.

Yeah, there is no thinking smart when it comes to Bowie. I just love him, and I really hope he doesn’t break my heart.

Henley and Tru are the first to arrive and I hug Tru. She’s wearing a fitted dress and I can finally see the baby bump that she insists has been there for months.

“You look so gorgeous,” I say.

“Youdo. Girl, you are radiant.” She squeezes my arm when we pull apart and then the others arrive and there’s a flurry of hugs.

“I’m so glad you decided to do this,” Penn tells Bowie. “I’ve missed you guys. You’ve been a little quiet lately,” he says, looking between the two of us.

Everyone’s been so excited about the two of us dating, but we’ve hardly all been together at the same time since the funeral. Bowie’s seen the guys and I’ve seen the girls, but everyone’s been traveling a lot too, with it being the offseason. Now that Becca knows, not to mention that I’m starting to show a little bit, we can’t keep the baby a secret any longer.

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