Page 89 of Wicked Love

Our drinks come and we all lift our glasses.

“To hitting the lists and having babies!” Tru says.

We all laugh and repeat it, clinking our glasses together. Half an hour goes by at least, and it’s not that I’m just trying to make Bowie wait…I really am enjoying myself. But I’m also nervous to talk to him.

“He can’t take his eyes off of you,” Calista says. “It seems like whatever he needed to think through has beenthought through. Everything’s going to be just fine.”

I want to look so bad, but I don’t. “You can tell that from looking at him?”

“Mm-hmm,” she hums.

“Eeeeek,” Tru squeals. She leans in. “This is right up there with when we found out Rhodes and Elle were finally sleeping together. We wanted it so bad for them,” she looks at Sadie, who’s nodding emphatically.

“Yes, so, so bad,” Sadie gushes. “I have such a good feeling about this.”

I make a face. “Just because I’m having his baby doesn’t mean we’re going to be together.”

“Mm-hmm,” Calista hums again and they laugh while I take a deep breath.

“I should probably see what he has to say. He’ll need to get home to Becca soon.”

“Go with grace,” Tru says, grinning.

“We’re here if you need backup. And to spy on you,” Elle adds, making all of us laugh.

“Thanks, guys. Sorry to bail early on the party.”

“Oh, we are living for this, don’t you worry,” Sadie says, giving me a cheesy grin.

Tru laughs and clinks Sadie’s glass.

I laugh as I stand, but it drops when I walk toward Bowie. He surprises me by standing when I get near the table, and then he holds out his hand. I look at it, confused.

“Hi, I’m Bowie Fox.” He tilts his head toward my hand and I lift it, shaking his weakly. “I was hoping maybe we could start over.”

When I just stand there staring at him, my hand still in his, he gives it a slight shake.

“And you are?” he asks.

I give him an exasperated look, determined not to be swayed by his charm now. His charm is what got me in his bed in the first place. Well, that, and his boulder shoulders, perfect hair, and veiny hands.

“Poppy Keane,” I say, lips puckered.

I refuse to smile when his teeth swipe over that plump lower lip that is capable of the most amazing things.

“Have a drink with me?” he asks. “I noticed you had a drink with your friends already, but did you try the Hop Away With Me?”

I snort and he grins, relieved. All the names in The Fairy Hut crack me up.

“No, I did not have the Hop Away With Me, I had the Top Shelfless Elf. What about you? What are you drinking?”

“I enjoy Tink’s Mead occasionally, but…I heard you’re having my baby, so I went with the You Slay, Fae…you know, for solidarity and encouragement.” He grabs his mocktail from the table and lifts it.

I bite back my smile. “So…we can start over, but we’re talking about the baby?”

He holds his hand toward the booth. “If you’ll sit with me, we can talk about whatever you’d like. Get to know each other...better.” He falters slightly and I sigh, pretending to be put out.

“I guess I could give you a few minutes of my time.”

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