Page 55 of This Time I'm Keeping You
“Poppy Sylvester!”The shriek came from a middle-aged woman who was now hurrying toward them.
His girl smiled politely and held out her hand.She then said, “Hello, it’s wonderful to meet you.”
As the woman pulled out her cell phone, two more people joined the group.
“Your girl is a big deal,” Sam said.
“Yeah.I went to that signing and saw her fans.I’ve read some articles about her, too, and knew she was the shit.”It made him proud to see what Poppy had achieved.The nerdy girl had blossomed into this kick-ass author that was known the world over, even if she’d been hiding from the fame.
“You’ve got it bad, bud,” Sam said under his breath.“I haven’t seen that look in a while.”
“Shut up.”Do I have it bad?Looking at Poppy smiling for the photos, he thought maybe his brother was right.He also knew that she wasn’t ready to hear what he felt for her, which was good, because he needed time to adjust to it.
Plus, there was assface to deal with.
Nick and Sam moved closer and watched Poppy in action.The line of people grew, and her smile never slipped.
“Your girl is impressive,” Sam said.
“Considering she’s not actually done a lot of this due to assface, she really is,” Nick agreed.
“One o’clock,” Sam said.
“My one o’clock?”
Sam jabbed a long finger in the direction.Nick looked that way and saw two hotel staff approaching with their eyes on Poppy.
“Maybe just say to look right.”
“I’ve always wondered what being a cop would be like.Now I know,” Sam said.
“I think there’s more to it, but if you talk to your cuff, we’re going to have problems.”Nick looked at his watch.Poppy was due to start in ten minutes.Moving closer, he bent to whisper in her ear, “Wrap it up, sweet cheeks.Ten minutes until go time.”
“Is that your partner?”The woman who’d spoken was about Em’s age, and the eyes she ran over him were X-rated.She was standing in front of Poppy now, cell phone ready to take a pic.
“Yes,” Nick said at the same time as Poppy said no.“We’re keeping our relationship a secret, or were.”He smiled.“Game’s up, sweetheart.”He kissed Poppy’s cheek.
“That’s exciting.Poppy Sylvester is such a mystery to all her fans.You can’t imagine how happy we are that you’re doing public appearances now.We’re coming upstairs to join your talk.”The woman then took a selfie with Nick and Poppy in the background.
“Say bye to your fans,” he whispered in her ear.
“See you all upstairs,” she said.As he nudged her toward the elevators,
the smile dropped.“What are you doing?”she whispered.“I don’t want people to see us together, Nick.”
“Too bad.”He was giving assface something to think about.If he saw Nick with Poppy in a picture or on social media, he may think twice about hassling her again.
“We’re ready for you upstairs now, Miss Sylvester.”
“Thank you.”
He could almost feel her vibrating with the need to tell him how pissed she was he’d said they were together.
They rode up with Sam and two others in silence.But Nick knew that wouldn’t last.When the doors opened, Sam stepped out first and looked around, taking his job as Poppy’s bodyguard seriously.
Nick missed what Poppy muttered, but he guessed it wasn’t complimentary.He walked at her side down the long hall.The hum of voices grew steadily louder as they approached a set of double doors.Walking through, he scanned the guests.The amount of people in here would have given him hives if he knew he was about to speak in front of them.
She moved to one side, then held her hand out for the bag he carried.
