Page 123 of Wicked Love

But I just smirk right back at him. “Maybe, maybe not.”

He groans and tries to pull me into a headlock, but I’m too fast for him.

“I wish we were flying out tonight,” I say.

More than ever, I want Poppy to know that she is it for me. I can’t wait to get home to her and spend the rest of our lives proving it.

“Me too.” He sighs. “Me too.”

I talk to Poppy briefly when I get back to the room, but she’s so sleepy that we don’t stay on long. I don’t tell her about Adriane. I’ll wait and tell her about it in person. It’s really a non-issue, and I never thought I’d be able to say that.

But I’m not the man Adriane left behind.

I don’t even still wish for Becca to have a relationship with her. Now that I know how adored Becca is from the other people in her life, Poppy being at the top of that list, my daughter is taken care of. She’s accepted, she’s loved, and that has all been no thanks to Adriane. She will never dim our light again.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD

POPPY

The morning starts out normal…I go to work, dragging slightly because I don’t sleep great when Bowie’s gone. But as the morning continues, something feels off. There’s a hush when I walk into the room. I catch a few staff members whispering behind their clipboards, glancing my way with pitying looks.

“What is going on?” I mutter under mybreath, forcing a smile at the next person I pass and getting a tight-lipped grin in return.

By the time lunch rolls around, I’m on edge.

I lean against my desk and pull out my lunch, scrolling on my phone. And then I see it, a picture posted online of Bowie hugging a woman—a beautiful woman with perfect hair and a body that won’t quit.

The headline says:Has Bowie Fox reunited with Adriane Fletcher?

Oh my God. Adriane? My appetite vanishes. I’m grateful I didn’t take a bite of my sandwich yet, because I’m pretty sure I’d choke. The image sends my mind spinning. Why is she there? Why is he hugging her like that? Is she back? Oh, God,is she back?And how does everyone here know about it before me?

I try to get a grip. Have they been talking again? I thought he hadn’t spoken to her in years. I thought they didn’t leave it on friendly terms when they talked last. Who am I kidding? This woman’s body language doesn’t scream anything close to friends. One of her hands is up in his hair, and I see red.

I hear my name and look up. Bowie stands in the doorway, grinning at me. The relief in his eyes drops and his brow furrows when he sees my face. Normally, I’d melt at how glad he seems to see me, but right now, everything feels shaky.

“Hey,” he says softly, leaning in to kiss me. I turn slightly, just enough to make him pause. Confusion flickers in his eyes. “Poppy, what’s wrong?”

I draw a tremulous breath, which is just so annoying—I wish I could keep my cool, but I can’t. I unlock my phone, turning the screen so he can see the photo.

“This. Everyone’s been acting weird this morning, so I went searching online and found this. What happened?”

His jaw clenches. “Damn it,” he mutters under his breath. “Adriane was at the hotel when we got back after the game last night.” He drags a hand over his head, frustration radiating off him. “I’m so sorry. I was going to tell you about this last night, but you were so tired, I thought it could wait until I told you in person.”

“Did you know she was going to be there?” I ask, feeling myself go numb.

“No,” he says, setting his hands on my shoulders. “I had no idea. She caught me completely off guard and just showed up, acting like she expected us to just ease back into what we were.” He grimaces, shaking his head. “She tried to hug me. I stepped out of it right after this was taken.”

I bite my lip, searching his face. He looks upset and sincere, but would he really have told me if this hadn’t been taken?

“So she’s back,” I say carefully, my voice cracking. “Why now? Are you…I mean, do you still…?”

He stiffens before his expression softens. “No,” he says firmly. “Absolutely not. Seeing her again just reminded me of everything I don’t want. She tried to convince me that what we had was something special. And I told her what we had doesn’t come close to what you and I have. That I’ve found true love.”

The words should comfort me, but doubt still gnaws at my mind. I drop my gaze and try to move away, but he lowers his head and forces me to make eye contact with him.

“Poppy,” he says softly.

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