Page 72 of By the Book

“Hi ladies!” Wren calls from the front door. She and Stevie turn the corner, crossing through the rounded archway into the kitchen. Poppy waves at them absently, reaching for the bottle of red on the table and taking a swig.

“Catch us up,” Stevie turns to me, concern in her eyes.

“Baywatch got his way, and my perfect property,” Poppy groans. “There, you’re caught up.”

“We’re so sorry,” I say, giving her hand a squeeze.

“I really thought it would happen for me. I had it all planned out,” she sniffs.

“We all thought so,” Stevie agrees, resting a hand on her shoulder.

Poppy stands abruptly, grabbing the bottle of wine and tin of blondies. She starts across her entry hall for her living room, calling over her shoulder, “How can the mayor pick a bakery over a lifesaving rescue league?”

“What?” We look at each other in confusion.

“That’s what he told me. When he gave me the news.”

“Aren’t public figures supposed to think before they speak?” Wren huffs as we follow Poppy through her house. Coming into the white shiplap clad living room, we sink onto the linen slipcover sectional in unison.

“I just don’t know what to do now. There are no other spaces available within my price range that are the size and location I need. This wasthespot; my heart was set on it. I feel like an idiot, but I was already picking out tiles and paint colors.”

“Maybe you can tell Hayden how much it means to you?” Stevie suggests.

Something between a snort mixed with a sob escapes Poppy. Wiping at her nose, she says, “Talk about humiliating, it would only result in him laughing in my face. That rich snob hates me.”

“What if we talk to him?”

“Then he would laugh at you instead. Hayden Thompson would never do anything for me. And I just don’t want to think about it anymore tonight. Distract me?” Poppy leans her head over on my shoulder and sniffs.

“Okay, well can we ask about Tripp’s face then?” Stevie asks cautiously, looking my way.

“What happened to Tripp’s face?” Wren turns to me in surprise.

I sigh. “My brother happened.”

“Oh my gosh! That was Wes? It’s so bruised, he had to have really wailed on him,” Stevie gasps.

“What happened?” Poppy leans forward earnestly. I’ve successfully distracted her from her despair, apparently.

“Wait, Stevie and I need glasses.” Wren leaps up for the kitchen, returning quickly with two wine glasses. She yanks the bottle from Poppy and takes a seat on the floor in front of the coffee table. “Okay, proceed,” she instructs as she pours.

“We’re together, and it’s...” A rush of butterflies bombards me as I finally get to speak those words aloud. “It’s better than I imagined. I always knew I wanted him. But the way he looks at me, is affectionate with me, it’sso muchbetter.

A collective hum of approval passes through the room. I can feel a dazed smile on my face, and I press my fingers to my lips, recalling the feel of Tripp’s kiss just this morning.

“How together are you?” Poppy smirks.

“Now that I’ve gotten to wake up beside him, I don’t want another morning without him. Ever.”

“He’s good then?” Wren asks cheekily.

Heat scorches me as I nod. “Good is an understatement.”

“That’s not surprising, Tripp has that strong, sexy, white knight thing going for him,” Poppy says, her head back to resting on my shoulder.

“But how did Wes find out?” Stevie asks, taking a sip of wine.

“We didn’t want to be a secret anymore. He decided it would be best if he broke the news to Wes, and clearly my brother did not take it well.”

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