Page 43 of Touch My Shelves

Eli raises a brow. “You’re letting her go out with this Adan guy?”

I scoff and throw my hands in the air. “Let her? Do you think I could stop her? You saw how she got all fierce when I told her to get back to work. If she wants to go out with him, she will and nothing I say will stop her.”

Alec clears his throat dramatically. “Excuse me for saying the obvious, but I don’t see the problem. She said she was looking for something casual, so aren’t you talking about the same thing? Can’t you be the one to provide thecasualuntil you leave?”

“I…” I stumble as I start to list all the reasons it’s wrong to continue any type of relationship with Poppy, but then my gaze moves around the group. Jack has always been the straight shooter of the bunch. He knows how to drill down to the bare bones and isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers. Women especially appreciate his straightforward manner.

“She wants casual. You want casual. Problem solved. Fuck her, man,” Jack says and drains the last of his beer.

Eli and Alec nod in agreement.

I look around the table and feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe it is that easy. I’m leaving. I already know there’s nothing more for us after I go. Nobody can get hurt if we both know that.

I’ve never wanted a woman as much as I want Poppy. I ache to be with her again. To feel her skin against mine and to look down into her eyes as she lies beneath me, connected to her in the most intimate way. Maybe fucking her will get her out of my system and I can move past the fascination I have in her.

“But she’s angry with me. Remember I fucked it all up by ending it. There’s no way she’d say yes.”

“Do we have to do everything for you? I mean, you are a creative writer. Can’t you come up with a direction to take this scene that will have the heroine falling all over herself to be with you?”

“Hmmm.” In this instance, I don’t think Poppy is going to follow any plot line I could write. Maybe good old-fashioned groveling, with a side of chemistry, might work.

CHAPTER 15

POPPY

I wish this date was a dud, but it’s not. Adan has been nothing but charming, gracious, and attentive. On the date scale of one to ten, Adan is a solid ten.

“I bet your mom is happy you’re moving back on the island,” I say with a smile and take a sip of my wine.

Shyanne has some amazing wine on the menu. The entire meal has been phenomenal. Kudos to her chef. We both chose the salmon option, which was seasoned and cooked to perfection.

A good meal with a handsome and interesting man to share it with should do the trick, but it’s not. It feels wrong to be here with Adan. It’s all in my head, I know. After all, Brax didn’t want what we had and I don’t owe him anything. Even when I left tonight to meet Adan, I got no more than a brief glance from Brax with a “have a nice evening” before he went back to talking with his friends.

Adan gives me a smile that should make my heart race. “She is. The only thing that would make her happier is if I get married and give her the grandchildren she says I owe her.”

With a giggle, I ask, “Is there anyone in the running for the position?”

His shoulders shake, along with his head. “Do you really think I would be out with you if I was interested in someone else? Come on, Poppy, what type of men have you been dating?”

I pause to consider how that sounded and I cringe. “Oh.” I’d gotten comfortable with Adan and forgot the purpose of a date.

He takes my hand and pulls me forward, brushing his lips across my cheek. There’s not a single sizzle. Not even a fizz. Why couldn’t I have fallen for a nice uncomplicated man like Adan Murphy?

“I get it, Poppy. As much as I would like for there to be chemistry between us, we can’t force it. But I am having a good time getting to know you and a man can’t have too many friends.”

My shoulders drop with relief. “Oh, thank God. I feel the same way. If I wanted another brother, I’d want him to be you.”

A jovial laugh rumbles through him. “Ouch. You went straight for the brother euphemism.”

“Sorry, but you are just so easy to talk to. What is wrong with the women around here? Why aren’t you already taken?”

“I guess I’ve been too busy to put any effort into a relationship. What about you? No one special?”

I ignore the sinking of my heart. “No. Not really. At least not that it mattered.”

Adan raises a doubtful brow. “Then why has a man at the bar been watching you all night except when his eyes are shooting daggers at me.”

“What?” I turn and get the funniest flirty buzz in my tummy. I whip back around and fight a smile. It’s Brax.

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