Page 89 of Drop Three

“Jesus, Callaway. You scared me,” Kodi breathes heavily as Cal walks behind her and kisses the side of her head sweetly, watching her organize an array of sweets.

“Angel, don’t you think we have enough desserts?” Cal asks her.

Wrong question, buddy.You never ask a woman why she has so many sweets.

The correct answer is: the limit does not exist.

“I’d suggest you retract that statement, sir. You may have the prettiest ocean blues I’ve ever seen but I’ll be damned if I let you hate on my obsession with baked goods,” Kodi bites back.

I love her.Kodi is sharp and witty—the perfect balance for my positive and extroverted brother.

Cal picks up a brownie bite and turns our way. “Point taken. Great idea, ladies.”

Kodi and I giggle.

Looking around their newly renovated home, the home Kodi once shared with her parents that have since passed, I’m impressed with how lived-in it feels.

For two people who have essentially come from broken homes, in one way or another, they know how to fill a space with love and comfort.

It’s warm and inviting.

They opened up the space by knocking down a wall to create an open-concept floor plan. It’s stunning.

“This place is incredible, guys,” I tell them.

Callaway is transfixed on Kodi, per usual, before looking at me with a warm smile. “Thanks, sis. We love it here. Poppy did a great job decorating it, too.”

Oh, I didn’t realize they hired an interior designer. Cool.

“Oh my god, Navs. She’s incredible. You need to hire her when you get a place of your own,” Kodi says.

Whenever that might be…

“Yeah, maybe.”

It’s no secret Poppy is incredible at her job.

The coastal farmhouse vibe she designed for Cal and Navy is extraordinary and fits their personalities perfectly. Yellow and blue paint the interior in a subtle and tranquil aesthetic, with touches of weathered white and rattan accents. Plants scatter the corners, something that unlike me, Kodi does well at taking care of.

But the natural light that enhances the space is the real winner.

They’ve made this house a home.

“She will be here tonight, actually! You can meet her then,” Kodi tells me about her new friend.

“Oh, for the housewarming party?”

“Yep,” Cal replies. “I’m setting her up with Bodhi.”

Cal’s innocent smile causes a cold chill to run through me.

He’s setting her up with…Bodhi?

Fuck. Why does that hurt so much? Maybe because it’s not me?

I check my face to make sure I don’t give away my true feelings on this new turn of events. “Oh. Does Bodhi know?” I ask him.

Cal nods. “Yes. Told him about it the other day before your date. He seems excited about it.”

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