Page 53 of Touch My Shelves

I bite my lip in indecision. Could it? I don’t think that’s what he means. I’m misconstruing an innocent comment.

Or am I?

Brax’s is too nice to come right out and say it. I slap my palm on the counter and give myself a mental shake. Insecurities don’t belong in my life any longer. If it bothers me, I should just ask him. That’s what an adult would do.

I give a decided nod and stare at my phone willing my fingers to be adult. With a deep breath, I let my fingers type out—Are you saying you want me to move out?

Before I press send, I delete the entire message and try again with an attempt at levity. But I can’t think of any way to ask that doesn’t make me sound presumptuous and clingy. I try several other options, but end up deleting them all.

I jump when another message pops in.

Just say it. The bouncing dots are killing me. Did I overstep?

My shoulders ease. See, he didn’t mean it. Before I can come up with a reply, my phone rings.

“Did I overstep?” Concern is dripping from his voice.

This man… I grin. “No. Nothing like that.”

“Tell me, Poppy. Something is bothering you.”

I take a breath and just let it out. “Did you buy me a bed because you want me to move out?”

He doesn’t immediately respond and, of course, that makes my insecurities skyrocket. “I mean I understand. You have a houseful of people and—”

“Poppy, I’m going to stop you right there. Having you move out is the furthest reason behind buying a more comfortable bed for the apartment. In fact, I’m considering cancelling the order right now.”

Now I’m really confused. “Then why did you? It’s not like we can sneak away often.”

“You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. I was simply trying to do something nice for you or for whomever sleeps in the apartment. You have to admit that sofa sleeper is right up there with torture devices.”

I chuckle and agree. “It is uncomfortable, but it was free so I’m grateful for someone donating it.”

“Can you please consider the bed my donation to the cause?”

“I will, but I have a feeling the cause is yours. And I’m okay with that.”

“Will you be home late tonight?”

Home. My stomach twists because that’s exactly how I feel about the castle. “No, we’ve gotten a lot of things done today. I think we’re almost ready for opening day.”

“Well, I’ll let you get back to it. I’ll see you later. And, Poppy, I enjoyed our time together last night at the apartment for many reasons, but mostly because I got to wake up with you in my arms.”

I end the call with a sappy smile on my face. I loved waking up with him too. That’s only been able to happen a few times.

“Hmmm.”

I look up to find Naudi leaning against a display case with a mischievous grin on her face. “That’s a well satisfied look if I ever saw one. Care to share?”

My eyes dart around to locate Freeya, but come up empty.

“Don’t worry. She’s talking to Carly. Her mother called and wants to take them to the beach tomorrow. I told her I’d have you ask Brax and get back with her. So, come on, tell me what put that look on your face. I need details. Since I’ve never had it, tell me what the good kind is like.”

“He’s…” There’s no way to describe how he makes me feel. It’s too big. “Like a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter night.”

My friend takes my chin in her palm and turns my head left and right, giving each side a thorough going over before she declares. “Oh, no. Poppy. You caught feelings?”

Playfully I push her away and start straightening already straight lines of books. “No, it’s nothing like that. It would be incredibly stupid of me to do that when we’re just in a holding pattern.”

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