Page 31 of Half Baked

“It did, thanks again.” Poppy smiles as we hand the equipment over.

“Maybe I’ll see you later,” he tells her, turning and giving me a nod. I clench my jaw and nod back, holding my place close to her side.

“Oh, yeah, cool,” she replies, making a point to wave bye to Hannah and Neil who are hovering in the doorway. Good, so she’s not falling for this.

I thought we had made progress between the morning at her house and the moment we had before Tara came in today. Maybe she’s just acting for the sake of the show though. A knot forms in my stomach as I picture her laughing with Trevor at the brewery. Her falling for that fake, charming act.

Just to be safe, I withdraw my phone from my pocket and shoot Tripp a text, asking if he wants to grab a beer tonight. I know he’s free if Ivy is going out with the girls for trivia.

“Do you need help around here before I go?” I ask, shoving down the image of Poppy with Trevor.

“No, I’m good. I’m just going to get those tarts in the cooler then head to Stevie’s.”

I lift the tray of tarts and help put them away, anyway, not wanting to leave her to lock up alone. “What did you think of the playback?” I ask carefully as we walk to the front of the bakery.

“It seemed okay, I think. Right?” Poppy bites her lip as she locks the door. Turning to head down the wharf she looks up at me expectantly.

“I think you’re a natural,” I assure her. I don’t mention the way we look together. I don’t mention that Tara isn’t the only one who sees this heat between us. The fact is, I always have.

Or maybe I just really hoped.

Chapter 15

Hayden

Tripp’s headlights blind me as he parks in front of my open garage door. He doesn’t get surprised to find me out here anymore. With a whole mansion to pick from, I prefer the garage over empty, echoing halls, and he doesn’t question it.

“Where do you want to go?” he asks, coming to a stop beside my fathom green ’69 Corvette Stingray.

“Manchester Brewing?” I try to sound like it’s a random suggestion. Casual. After all, we go all the time.

“Ivy’s there tonight for some big trivia event; it’s supposed to be crowded. Want to hit Rusty’s instead?”

“I like trivia.”

“Alright, whatever you want. Just let me tell her we’re coming. It would be weird if I crashed her girls’ night unannounced.”

I follow him out of the garage and head to the passenger side of his Land Rover. “We can just sit at the bar, stay out of the way,” I suggest.

Out of the way, but I need to see for my own eyes what happens if Trevor shows. Maybe what I’m doing is unhealthy, but when it comes to Poppy, I really am a glutton for punishment.

Bottomline, I need to know.

As we pull into the parking lot of the brewery though, I wonder if there will even be a spot at the bar. The place is packed. So packed, Tripp has to park in the grass instead of the lot.

When we step inside the brewery that has been converted from a barn, it’s clear that the parking lot was an accurate representation of what’s happening here. There’s no spot at the bar. There are no empty tables, either.

“Looks like we are in fact crashing girls’ night,” Tripp says as he finds Ivy in the crowd and makes a beeline for her. A smile spreads across his girlfriend’s face as he approaches, and I think of how nice it would be to have someone so happy to see me. Because as I steal a glance at Poppy, I find her glaring at me like I just kicked a puppy or something.

“Hi, boys, have a seat.” Stevie motions to the bench before us. She’s at least smiling at me.

“We aren’t here to intrude, I didn’t expect it to be so crowded,” Tripp replies before planting a kiss on Ivy’s forehead.

“Don’t be silly, join us. After all, we’re celebrating the show, and Hayden is a part of that,” Wren says, ignoring the way Poppy’s daggers are now directed towards her.

I stiffen, prepared for my co-star to tell me to get lost, to stop trying to steal her thunder. But she remains eerily silent, her attention swinging back to study me with a calculating gaze. Maybe she’s sizing me up, like a lioness about to pounce.

“Sit, it will be fun,” Ivy says, pulling Tripp’s arm until he obliges.

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