Page 179 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

Their voices disappeared as Poppy came closer, gazing up at me. “You look very handsome,” she said unabashedly.

“You look… wow. I thought you looked amazing last night but is it weird I think I like this better.” I ran a finger over the soft, pale-pink oversized sweater, letting the tip linger on the curve of her neck.

I wanted to kiss her so fucking badly. But not here, not like this.

And not until she forgave me.

“Aaron,” she breathed, staring up at me with parted lips and lust-filled eyes. “We should—”

“Go, we should go.”

I offered her my hand and the second her palm slid into mine something clicked into place inside me.

“What?” she asked.

“Thank you for agreeing to come out with me tonight.”

“After that impressive piece of poetry?” Her brow lifted with humor. “How could I not?”

“I’m never going to live that down, am I?”

“Probably not, Aaron the Greatest. King of the Teams.” She smirked, but her gaze landed on McKay’s truck. “Why is Gavin McKay’s truck in my driveway?” she asked.

I looked at her and grinned. “You’ll see.”

When I’d considered where to bring Poppy on our first official date, the lake had been the only place that made sense. It was my spot—our spot. But the weather was turning, the air cooler at night.

Sitting in my car overlooking the lake didn’t seem all that romantic but lying under the stars in the back of McKay’s truck was the perfect compromise.

“What do you have back there?” Poppy asked as I leaned over to retrieve the basket Gav had picked up courtesy of Penelope at The Junction, the diner where she worked.

“Dinner for two,” I said, dragging the small crate over and unpacking all the containers.

“Aaron…”

“Don’t thank me, it was all Penelope. I have no idea what’s in here,” I confessed.

“Well, whatever it is, it smells amazing.” She helped me serve up the food, and we ate side by side, to the background music playing out of my cell phone.

“Do you wish we’d have done something else?” I asked, feeling a tad insecure.

“No, it’s perfect.” She gazed at me and I couldn’t resist reaching out for her and brushing my thumb across her jaw.

“You’re perfect.”

“Aaron…”

“I know.” My stomach dipped. “There’s still a lot we need to talk about.”

“There is.” Her eyes dropped to my mouth.

“Poppy?” I whispered, and she lifted her eyes to mine in question. “I really, really want to kiss you.”

“I really want you to kiss me too.”

“You do?” I lowered my face to hers, still brushing my thumb back and forth. She nodded, her eyes slightly glazed. “Words. Poppy. Use your words.”

Because I didn’t want to get this wrong. I didn’t want to fuck up again.

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