Page 59 of Wicked Love

Sadie presses her lips together. “The utter dismay when you thought Amelie might be into Bowie? Don’t worry, I don’t think he noticed.”

“Because he doesn’t care, you mean,” I moan quietly and go into the bathroom that Sadie points out.

“Trust me, he very much cares where you’re concerned,” she says from the other side of the door.

I want to ask why she thinks that, but remind myself that I’m not interested in anything more than friendship with Bowie.

My eyes roll as I put on my swimsuit.

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that,” I whisper to my reflection in the mirror.

Elle is standing by Sadie when I walk out of the bathroom and they both light up when they see me.

“Hot damn,” Elle says. “You look smoking hot, Poppy.”

My cheeks flush. “Thank you. It’s the only bathing suit I own. Too much?”

My bikini is a unique purpley-navy material that sparkles…not obnoxiously so, but it’s prettier than a solid color. At least I thought so when I bought it. It fits well and is flattering, but I feel a little self-conscious now.

“Not at all. You look amazing,” Sadie says.

She slips into the bathroom to change and Elle undoes the zipper on her dress and steps out of it, already in her white bikini.

“Hello, you’re the one who looks smoking hot,” I tell her, laughing. “Miss Mustangs Cheerleader.”

“Not a cheerleader anymore,” Elle sings, laughing. Her eyes light up and I turn to see Tru in her bikini and her little baby bump. “Oh my God, I die,” Elle says, rushing to Tru. “That is the cutest baby bump ever.”

Tru rubs her stomach proudly. “I wasn’t sure how I’d feelabout it, but I kinda love it now that I’m showing. Makes the morning sickness feel like it’s productive instead of just a giant pain in my ass.” She laughs.

“Is that getting any better?” Sadie asks, coming out of the bathroom.

“I still have my moments, but as long as I eat something salty before it gets too bad, I’m okay.”

“I can’t wait to meet this little one,” Elle says, leaning her head on Tru’s.

“Neither can I,” Tru smiles and it’s true what they say about pregnant women being radiant.

I pile my hair in a high, messy bun, and we walk back to the pool together. I feel Bowie’s eyes on me before I even see him and turn to find him checking me out. His eyes are heated when they meet mine again. I swallow hard and wave, smiling slightly. He tilts his head up, acknowledging me in that way he has that’s neither rude nor overly friendly. Coming from anyone else it wouldn’t work, but with him, it just does.

I giggle when I see Martha sitting at the edge of the pool, on alert as she watches Becca swim. Becca spots me and calls me in and I step into the pool. The water is the perfect temperature and Becca swims over.

“You’re such a good swimmer,” I tell her.

She beams. “We race?”

“Sure.” I laugh.

We do several laps, but as I turn to do another, I feel dizzy and frown.

“My head feels funny,” I try to explain to Becca quickly. “I think I need a break.”

“Okay,” she says.

I climb out of the pool and a towel appears in front of me. I turn and see Bowie holding it out for me. His hair ispulled back and his chest glistens from being in the water too.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for coming tonight,” he says, drying off his chest. I try to not be obvious with my staring.

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