Page 94 of Friends Don't

I start. That’s a better response than I could have imagined. I feel like I could fly. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Poppy steps closer to me, and I pull her into a hug. I’ve never been much of a hugger, but this woman—this amazing, incredible, kind, interesting woman—is changing parts of me that I thought were cemented in place. She’s unlocking chambers of my heart and opening them up wide to new feelings, new beliefs, and an entirely new mindset about the future. I’m going to hug her every chance I get.

“We should get back, huh?” As she says it, she nuzzles into my chest.

She fits perfectly against me. I don’t care if thinking that makes me the biggest cliché in the book. It’s the honest-to-goodness truth.

“Probably.” I ease her out of the hug but keep one of my arms around her shoulders. “Unless you want to make out again.”

Her eyes widen, and I grin.

She swats my chest. “Don’t tempt me, Mack Bradley.”

I commit the sparkle in her eye and the pink on her cheeks to my memory as we stroll back to the fire pit, where everyone is sitting watching the fireworks.

As one, they all turn to us with pie-eating grins plastered on their faces.

Collin and Rose size us up and then give identical nods.

We’ve passed their inspection with the dare.

And the truth is, I’ve lost my heart to Poppy Kasper.

27

Café Kisses and Hard Misses

Poppy

Noli:Poppy and Mack sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g

Poppy:Are we still on that? I told you Rose and Collin dared us.

Rose:Maybe the first time. But there’s been lots of kissing since.

Rose:And YOU’RE WELCOME.

I glance up from my phone and shoot Rose a look. “You know, you could say it to my face.”

The two of us are strolling through the Cashmere Cove historic district, nearing the Getaway Café. The colorful buildings that line this part of Main Street are glowing in the mid-day sun, and it looks like the backdrop of an artist’s oil painting. I can hear the faint laughter and squeals of families echoing from down at the beach in the tourist part of Cashmere Cove, and a hint of bayside breeze hits my nose, though we don’t have a view of the water where we’re walking. It’s another scorcher, and I can’t wait for a tall glass of Inez’s homemade lemonade.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Rose shrugs.

A text from Noli comes in before I can retort.

Noli:So are you two official, then?

I sigh. I want to be. I want to be official so very badly. I haven’t given him an answer about staying here in Cashmere Cove, but I’m leaning in that direction.

Rose:They’re officially swapping saliva on the regular.

I shove Rose.

She laughs as she trips down the sidewalk.

Noli:So he really lights you up, eh, Pops? Get it,lights…because he’s an electrician.

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