Keith confirmed that there was nothing they could do to figure out who the text messages came from, but that he would be happy to help if anything came up.While I trusted him more than most people, I also hated the uncomfortable feeling I held deep down about talking to him about anything related to Poppy, given that he worked for the FBI and her dead husband was being investigated by them.
I hung up and set my phone on the coffee table, taking a few deep breaths before heading to join the others in the kitchen.It felt like I was living another nightmare after what happened last year with my sister.I knew the situation was different, but I couldn’t help but feel a little like John McClane from the Die Hard movies because having a calm, peaceful Christmas seemed impossible.Between my sister’s obsessed stalker last year and Poppy’s dead husband this year, I was a little terrified to celebrate the holiday next year.
“What did Keith say?”Gage asked, standing behind the couch with his arms folded over his chest.
“Exactly what we thought he would.There’s no way to trace the number to anyone, given it’s a burner phone.”
He nodded and worked his jaw back and forth.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said, catching me off guard.
“I know.”
I swallowed hard, forcing the negative thoughts away because I didn’t have time to worry about the worst-case scenario right now.My only concern at the moment was the woman sitting at my kitchen table, crying as my sister held her.While it was concerning the messages she received, I would die before I allowed anything to happen to Poppy.
The tension between Gage and me wasn’t as bad when they showed up earlier, but I didn’t know if it was because he had gotten over being mad or if it was because there was an actual problem to deal with now.Either way, I was thankful that he seemed relatively calm about Poppy and me.
I got off the couch and walked into the kitchen behind Gage as Julie pulled away from Poppy and handed her some tissues.Poppy got up, and when she turned to face me, she stopped.
It was hard to read the look on her face because it was a mix of worry and sadness combined.
I opened my arms and let out a sigh of relief as she fell into them, allowing me to hold her the way I needed to.I closed my eyes and let my chest fall as I exhaled heavily, breathing her scent in with my next breath.This was where I wanted to spend the rest of my life, with this woman who had changed me so much in such a short time.
I felt Gage’s eyes on us, but ignored him.Just because Poppy and I had sex didn’t mean anything had officially changed between us.We were still technically just friends who were fucking.While I wanted more, I would never ask her for anything right now, given what she was going through.
But that didn’t stop the yearning I felt deep inside.Poppy wasn’t mine to protect, but I would stop at nothing to keep the woman I was falling in love with safe.No matter how much my best friend had to say about it.
Twenty
Poppy
Isat and stared atmy phone for an enormous amount of time, waiting for more text messages that never came.Finally, Patrick said it was enough and forced me to leave the house.We went into town to grab a few things from the store before another big storm rolled through, but I was more surprised when he pulled into the parking lot of the local steakhouse and parked.
“What are you doing?”I asked, looking around as he studied my face.
“I’m taking you on a date,” he replied, swallowing hard and trying to smile, though I could tell his nerves were getting the better of him.
