Poppy: Talk to you later.
Warren pounces as soon as I put my phone down.
“Dude, what’s up with you? You’ve been dragging, and we have a lot of shit to get through. Are you seriously letting a woman interfere with work?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Hardly. I just sent a quick text saying hi. It’s not a big deal.”
“The big deal is you took two days off last week for the first timein years for this gal. You should be grinding to catch up. Instead, you’re sitting here, texting a woman with stars in your eyes.”
“It was two minutes. Chill the fuck out. I got shit done from the plane on the wayto a meeting. I’m fine. Plus, isn’t that what I pay you for? Quit your bitching and tell me where we’re at on the Waymore case.”
We talk shop for a bit before he circles back to my distraction.
“So tell me about this Poppy chick. You’ve never been this into a woman. Is it serious?”
“I don’t know how it can be, considering she lives so damn far away.”
“Then what gives? What’s your end game?”
“I’ve been asking myself the same thing. So has she, in fact. Unfortunately, I have no idea, but I know I’m not giving up.”
“I wouldn’t expect otherwise from Braden the Butcher. You wouldn’t move there, would you? You’d lose your partnership and have to start over with another firm.”
“I don’t think we’re anywhere close to that step—regardless of what I’d like. But fuck man.” I run my hand through my hair. “I’ve considered it. That’s how fucked in the head I am over this chick. She’s got me by the balls, and she doesn’t even know it.”
“Well, holy fucking shit. Never thought I’d see the day.”
“Yeah, you and everyone else.”
The afternoon went better after the conversation with Warren, which prompted me to pull my head out of my ass. New rule: focus on the job during the day—Poppy at night. I’ll need to practice work-woman balance.
By Wednesday, work is back to normal, and I’ve had two great nights talking to Poppy, both as Owen and Braden. I feel like I’ve known her for years by now. We’ve also had more fun times reading together, meaning my dick is as satisfied as it can be without the real thing.
The only problem is she’s all I can think about, and the desire to have her in the flesh again is driving me insane. So much in fact that I’m sitting at my desk booking another ticket to Bozeman.
It’s only one day away from the office, and I’ll work on the planeand layover to keep up. Warren’s overreacting. I’m the best damn divorce attorney they have, and three days off won’t change that. I think what’s really bothering him is that he lost the other half of his tag team.
Speak of the devil. “Hey, you up for the club on Saturday? I’m hoping if I convince you to join me for a round, you’ll come to your senses,” Warren says as he plops into a chair.
I sigh exaggeratedly. “You’re not getting it, man. I’m trying to be in a relationship.”
“You’re trying, but is she on board?”
“Sort of. It’s complicated…. Anyway, I’m heading back to Bozeman this weekend, so I’ll be out Friday. I’ll come in for a couple of hours in the morning and have shit laid out for you. I’ll meet with Marlow while I’m there, so let me know if you need anything else from him.”
“Fuck man. You’re seriously into this girl.”
“I thought I was clear on that last time we talked about this?”
“Damn. I might be in denial. Sex is going to be so boring now.” He shakes his head in indignation, causing me to laugh.
“I’m sure you’ll survive. You could always try this new dating app with no pictures I heard about?”That would cover one of my tracks.
His face fills with horror. “Hell to the no. First of all, I don’t need an app to hook up, and secondly, what the fuck good is it if you can’t window shop? Is that some sick bastard’s idea of a surprise in the sheets or what?”
It was worth a shot. “Must be. Hey, thanks for your help this week. And every week. I appreciate it.”
“Okaaay… I suppose Poppy’s responsible for this… nicer version of you. Just be careful not to lose your edge. I’d hate for people to think the Butcher has gone soft.”
