“Enough already. She’s obviously gotten under my skin. As of now, there’s nothing between us, but…fuck.” I shake my head, submitting to the truth. “I’d like there to be.”
“I thought she lived in Bozeman. Didn’t you meet her when you went to interview Marlow?”
Right when he says it, the light bulb goes on. I know exactly what my next move is. With a clear objective and renewed purpose, I’m ready to go. The second phase of my plan will have to wait until Monday to enact, but that doesn’t mean I can’t continue what I’ve started. It’s Owen’s turn to woo her tonight.
“Yeah. We’ve been talking through text, but it’s complicated. Anyway, I’m gonna head out and leave those two for you. Thanks for joining me. Sorry I was such a buzzkill,” I say before tipping my glass back and standing.
“Fuck. You’re serious. Okay, well… good luck with the girl, I guess.”
After saying a quick goodbye, I met my Uber out front while contemplating my initial message. She said she’d text me, well, Owen, after dinner, but I decided not to wait and caved on the way home.
Owen: Hey, beautiful, did you have fun at dinner tonight?
She doesn’t respond, and I’m antsy as I hop into bed. My gut coils at the thought that she may have ended up at some guy’s place. I’m spiraling, about to send another text, when the app finally pings with a message.
Poppy: How do you know I’m beautiful? I could be hideous.
Owen: It’s a hunch to go along with your personality. Besides, you’re beautiful to me, regardless. So how was dinner?
I’ll lose it if she evades the question again.
Poppy: It was nice. I met with a friend of mine from work. It’s been a while since we’ve been out.
My entire body sags in relief. But it doesn’t escape me that the little brat completely led me on and made me think it was a date.
Owen: I’m glad. Are you up for chatting or ready to call it a night?
Poppy: I’m snuggled in bed, so I’m all yours until we tire out.
Owen: Do you know how many things that brings to mind?
Poppy: LOL. How about we start with some follow-up questions from last night?
Owen: Go for it.
Poppy: You said people think you don’t have a heart. Why?
Owen: I’m ruthless in my line of work. I also haven’t dated since I was cheated on. I’m not celibate, though, if you catch my drift.
Poppy: I do. What kind of job requires you to be ruthless?
This is where it becomes sticky. I’m not sure how to answer without giving myself away. I’d call this farce off now if I had a chance with her as Braden. The problem is, she’s still under the impression that Braden’s a womanizing manwhore. Until I prove otherwise, I’m stuck letting her learn about me through Owen and pray she understands when I tell her we’re one and the same.
Or maybe she’ll miraculously fall for the real Braden, and I’ll never need to come clean. That split-second thought goes to ashes when I realize everything she’s learning from Owen is true, so she’ll eventually clue in. The only way out is the truth. I just hope she’s so head over heels for me by then that the deception won’t matter.
Owen: I’m in law. It’s a shrewd business. What do you do for work?
Poppy: Professional sales. A friend just reminded me to be careful online, so we should go back to safer topics. When were you cheated on?
She may be talking to other people on the app, so I’m glad she’s being smart. Not to mention, it saves my ass from hitting too close to home. But I do wonder what other advice thisfriendis giving her these days and whether any of it concerns Braden.
Owen: Probably a good idea.
Poppy: When did you stop dating?
Owen: Three years ago.
Poppy: Whoa, that’s a long time. So what are your relationship goals then? Do you eventually want to get married or start a family?
