That’s odd, it doesn’t show who it’s from. I open it and find two books inside,First King To FallandLast King Standing, along with a notecard.
Poppy,
Enjoy these signed copies of books one and two of the Kings and Queens series. You’re on my list for the next two releases. I don’t knowthe whole story, but it sounds like you have a King begging you to be his Queen. I hope it works out the way it’s meant to.
Best of Luck xoxo
I open the first book,First King To Fall, when it hits me—this is what Braden and I read on the plane when we met, and the other is the sequel he was so mad about having to wait for. Holy shit, it must’ve just come out.
I’m about to close it to look at the other one, when I notice an inscription on the inside flap:
I fell for you, and I’m on my knees begging for another chance.
Yours truly, Braden
My heart thunders as I open the sequel,Last King Standing, to another inscription.
You showed me how to stand… to go for what I want… and what I want is you.
Truly yours, Braden
Braden
The author sent an email today to say the books were delivered and to wish me luck, so why haven’t I heard from Poppy? I expected a text at the very least. Has she truly written me off, or is this when I should fly there?
I’m losing my mind trying to decide my next move when a message from Cici shows up.
Cici: Hey, if you’re really in love with Poppy… then I have an idea. Come over for dinner at six, and if you can convince me, I’llhelp you out.
Well, I’ll be damned. Ambiguous but promising. Six o’clock can’t come soon enough.
“All right, Romeo, lay it on me. I want to hear your side from beginning to end, and don’t leave anything out. If I’m going to do this, you have to prove you’re sincere,” Cici says from the couch across from me, her legs curled under her, while Eli sits on the floor with Abby.
When I arrived, Eli answered the door with Abby in his arms, handed me a drink, and said I’ll need it if I’m joining forces with Cici. Man, was he right. She told me Poppy called her about the books, which prompted her to intervene. She said someone had to step in and help the two idiots sort this out.
I spend the next thirty minutes recounting everything, fessing up to why Poppy couldn’t stand me at first, to when my feelings changed, to how I got myself into this mess. She shakes her head and sighs when I’m finished.
“You really screwed up.”
I raise my beer in a mock toast. “Tell me something I don’t know.” Then I take a large swig.
“She signed up for another dating app.”
I’m barely able to swallow without spitting all over their carpet. “WHAT? When?”
“New Year’s Day. It was her solution to put this behind her, which happened to be her resolution. And before you go ballistic, she hasn’t had any luck.” Then, with raised brows, a tilt of her head, and crossed arms, she adds, “And you can thankmefor making a deal with her that if she had no success after three dates, she’d have to read your letters.”
A smile forms in response. “I could kiss you right now.”
“Let’s not,” she deadpans.
“I second that,” Eli pipes in.
“So has she?” I ask eagerly.
“No, she’s insisting on her third date first.”
“Seriously? She’s still going on another, even after she got the books?”
