Page 133 of The Disasters of Dating
Poppy shakes her head. “Nope. She’s a pretty good sport. And if we double with them, she’ll at least have me there.”
We order our ice cream and sit down at a table. As I take a bite, I look at Poppy, fully realizing what a gift I’ve been given. I reach over and squeeze her hand. “Be honest. You’d realized it was me last night when you said that about Grandma Alice, right? It was a joke? A mean joke, but a joke nonetheless?”
She laughs, and I’m in heaven. Is it possible that this is my future?
“No. I’m not kidding. And it wasn’t just her. She had the groom-to-be with her.”
My jaw drops. “No.”
“Yes.” She lifts one shoulder in nonchalance. “But I handled that contract like a boss.” She winks and I almost pull her to me for another kiss. This one not so soft and not so short.
I smile and lean over, settling for a kiss to her temple. “I’ve never doubted you could be anything less.”
EPILOGUE
POPPY
You have quite the juggling act on your hands today. Your attention will be divided as things may fly at you from all directions. But don’t forget yourself in the juggle. You’ll have a great deal of responsibility, on an important road. Don’t shy away from a starring role. You have the diplomacy and peaceful nature required to be a successful leader.
Ten Months Later
I’m sittingon the plane as we wait for everyone to file down the aisle, watching out the window as the baggage handlers grab suitcases off the conveyor belt and toss them into the trolley. One of those suitcases is mine. I’m certain I overpacked. I mean, who needs a large suitcase for a five-day trip? I smile. Keaton didn’t even raise an eyebrow when I rolled it out to his car.
I glance over at him. He’s busy typing a text. I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I tried to have him arrested in The Wandering Reader. Who would have thought after that dinner, we’d be in this position? Who’d have guessed that I’d be coming to New Hampshire for the Fourth of July? Keaton says you haven’t experienced Independence Day until you’ve celebrated it in the colonies. I tried to remind him we prefer to be called the United States these days.
This is our last hurrah before I pack up and move into my apartment before I start my MBA at the University of Utah. I applied to and wasaccepted to some great schools around the country. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that staying in-state wasn’t just for my mom. I needed family around, too. But I did decide it was time to move out. Part of that could be that my mom and Adam are engaged to be married. They haven’t set an official date, wanting everyone to be ‘good and ready’ before they say their vows. I tend to think that part of it might also have to do with the fact that they just paid for Sadie’s wedding last month.
Warmth envelopes my hand. “Are you ready?” Keaton asks.
I nod tentatively. I don’t know why I’m nervous about seeing his family. I came to New Hampshire for Thanksgiving last year. And there was Evan and Shay’s wedding. Even so, I don’t see them very much—except for Evan and Shay. We see them all the time. Sometimes more than Keaton would like.
We stand up, and Keaton grabs both our suitcases from the overhead bin. He slings his backpack over one shoulder and wheels them down the aisle. One in front of him and one in back.
“Hey,” I say, shouldering my backpack. “I can take my own bag.”
He throws a smile over his shoulder. “And how would that look? Would Darren Ashcombe look favorably on me making his daughter roll her own suitcase?” He shakes his head. “I don’t think so.”
I grin. “I think he would be fine with it. He wanted his daughters to be independent women, you know.”
“We’ll discuss it once we’re off the plane,” Keaton says.
“Thanks for flying with us. We hope you enjoy your stay in Boston.” A flight attendant smiles at us.
Keaton dips his head at the flight attendant.
“Thanks! You, too,” I say as I stroll past.
I nearly have to jog to keep up with Keaton’s long legs as he strides up the jetway. Finally, when we emerge into the terminal, he slows down. We stop next to a wall to the side of our gate.
“Do you need to use the restroom before we go?” He asks.
I shake my head. But then think better of it. It’s at least a two-hour drive to Manchester. And that’s only if traffic is good. “On second thought, I probably should.”
He nods towards the ladies’ room across the way. “I’ll wait here for you.”
I reach up and kiss him on the cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
He nods, a smile covering his face. I know he’s growing to love Utah. But I also know there’s nothing quite like coming home. Even if we’re staying at his dad’s place.
