Page 35 of Touch My Shelves

I grip the granite countertop to keep from stumbling and falling on my face. It would seem as if I’ve already made enough mistakes. Like taking a chance of believing in what Brax offered. He’s pulled the rug from beneath my feet.

“I’m your boss. You care for my daughter,” he snaps, his tone leaning towards sullen. “Fuck, how stupid could I be?” He jams his hands back in his pockets.

I get that he’s angry, but I’m not exactly sure why. It can’t be because we slept together. There has to be more going on.

“I don’t understand. I wanted to be with you just as much as you wanted me. There was no pressure. We both wanted it.” My voice doesn’t sound as sure as my belief in my words.

“I did. We did. But to what end?” he barks, his voice filled with remorse. “All that should matter is my daughter. You aren’t what I need in my life. I should have put her first. Instead of…”

“I get it,” I say, cutting him off abruptly. I don’t need the shame-filled tone of his voice to rip away what little dignity I have left. What we’d shared never felt dirty or wrong… until this moment. Any strength I’d drawn from his attention to me as a woman was shriveling and dying a horrible death.

“Tell Hannah I’ll call her later,” I say through clenched teeth, willing away the tears I feel threatening behind my eyes. Stiffly, I turn and head for the door with my chin high.

“Poppy, wait!” Brax calls out.

I pause and turn back; then I wish I hadn’t. The guilt on his face makes me feel worse.

“Where are you going?”

I hold his gaze, refusing to look away. “Away from you. Don’t worry, I’ll be there for Freeya in the morning. I know my responsibilities… and my place.”

“Poppy, I’m so sorry.”

I leave him standing in what might be my future home. I’m not ashamed of what we did. I own my part of what we shared and I refuse to let him make me feel less than. I am a strong and confident woman.

I knew I would be the one hurt. I just thought it wouldn’t happen until their time on Faire Island ended.

CHAPTER 12

BRAX

A week after the worst day of my life, I stare at the blank computer screen. I scrub my hand over my weary eyes. What an ass I am.

After Poppy left, she didn’t come home until the next morning. I’d worried all night about where she was. I still don’t know for sure, but since Kimberly Murphy dropped her off at nine the next morning, I assume she stayed at the Inn.

Then there was that awkward conversation between us when I met her at the front door.

“I’m so sorry about yesterday.”

She simply shrugged and said, “No problem,” and moved to walk around me like a stranger she’d just met.

I don’t buy it. “Really, Poppy, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Brax. Don’t worry, it’s all good,” she replied with a forced smile that didn’t meet her beautiful blue eyes.

“What I said—”

“—Doesn’t need to be rehashed. I get it, Brax, I really do.”

I don’t think she does. At least not the way I meant it. “Are you going ahead with the store?”

“Probably, but I promised you I’d be available for three months for Freeya and I will keep that promise.”

“Good. Freeya loves you.”

That’s the first time I see the old Poppy return. There’s a softening in her expression. “I love her too.”

“It would really hurt to lose you.”

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