Page 47 of Can't Always Get What You Want

“It’s like sifting through the lost and found at a frat house.”

I laugh at her analogy. “You’re being way too generous.”

We both break into laughter, the kind that makes several people around me glance over. I don’t care. It feels good to laugh like this.

Tospiralout loud.

“Can I hit you with a truth bomb?” Poppy asks me, swirling the ice around her chai.

“Sure. Why not?”

“If a guy is willing to date you in secret just to respect your boundaries, flirt over stupid mugs, and wait until date four to kiss you even though he clearly wants to devour you alive…he’s not the red flag.”

I stare at her, straw paused halfway to my mouth. “Dude, that was so rude.”

Poppy smirks over the brim of her cup. “I said what I said.”

“You’re giving him waytoomuch credit.”

“I’m giving him the credit he deserves.” She points at me through the phone. “You’re the one who came in here complaining about a decent guy who wants to date you as if it were a bad thing.”

“Are you calling me a red flag?”

Poppy’s shrug is non-committal. “I did not say that.”

“But you implied it.”

My best friend sips from her cup with the world’s mostinfuriatingsmirk. “If the latte fits…”

I glare at her. “I am not the red flag. I’m... cautious. Safe.”

“Yup. Safer than a seatbelt,” she deadpans.

I gasp. “Take that back.”

How dare she!

She leans back in a corner booth of her local Starbucks, the green pleather padding a comfier spot than the hard chair I’m on.

“You’re out there in the streets trying to slap warning labels on a man who’s agreed to date you in secret so your brotherdoesn’t get pissed. You made a no-kissing-until date four clause. He didn’t even blink.”

I scowl, but only ‘cause I can’t argue with her, dammit.

“Don’t give me that look—youadoreme.” She sips away, ignoring my brooding. “IfIwere dating a man who spoke fluent slow-burn seduction, I wouldn’t be trying to turn it into a casual grocery run.”

I pout. “You don’t understand.”

Poppy rolls her eyes. “You’re right, I don’t. Because it would be a cold day in hell before my dumb brother dictated my happiness for no reason at all. So what—you’re twins. Big deal.”

I blink at her, stunned. “Wow. Are you trying to get excommunicated from my family?”

Poppy shrugs unapologetically. “Please. Someone has to say it—Gio doesn’t get to hold your love life hostage just because he can body-check a man through drywall.”

“That does not mean he’s controlling. Gio is?—”

“A huge pain in the ass? Yeah—I know.” Poppy folds her arms. “So what’s the plan? You sneak around with the guy you clearly havevery realfeelings for, pretend it’s nothing, and hope Gio magically gains support for the relationship overnight?”

My mouth opens.

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