I look at our table, we’re here as our first official dinner out as a family. It’s a celebration. I reach over and slide my hand over Poppy’s. Her eyes meet mine. She feels it, too.
Owen grins like he just unlocked a cheat code. “Okay, then I want a burger, fries, and a milkshake.”
“Dream big,” I tell him.
He laughs, waving to Walker across the room. “Can I pick a song?”
Poppy nods, watches him with that soft, stunned look she gets when life is behaving for once. I catch her eye, and she smiles back, like she’s filing this moment away, too.
We put our orders in, and Owen takes his time picking out music on the retro jukebox in the corner.
Momma Mary brings over a tray of complimentary appetizers and gives each of us a hug. “Congratulations, newlyweds.”
“Thank you, Momma Mary,” I tell her, patting her back. “Thank you for the goodies.”
Cami and Jack are holding hands, and she leans in and whispers something and kisses him. I love seeing them happy.
Walker taps his glass a few minutes later, the sound cutting through the noise. Violet steps in beside him, fingers laced together, her other hand resting over her stomach.
“So,” Walker says, grinning, “we figured it was time to make this official and tell our family.”
Violet beams. “We’re having a baby.”
The place erupts. Chairs scrape back, people cheer, and someone whistles. Cami gasps and launches herself at Walker, laughing and crying at the same time. Jack pulls them both into a hug, looking like he might burst with pride. Cami already knew but that doesn’t make this any less exciting. I love this new chapter of life for them.
Maggie hugs Walker, patting him on the back, wiping her eyes. “I’m so happy for you both.”
Owen sneaks up to the bar, having Cash, the bar manager, refill his soda, and dancing to the music, happy alongside everyone else.
I glance at Poppy, and she’s glowing, eyes bright. Good things. Real things. It feels like the universe finally cut us some slack. Things are going to settle down finally, and we’re going to have the good times. We made it through the bullshit, and life is good.
For a minute, everything feels easy. No drama, just us celebrating happy things with our friends.The good life.
Chapter 21
Poppy
Weight Of Your World by Chris Stapleton
After we get back from The Black Dog, Owen’s asleep upstairs and the apartment is quiet in that late-night way that makes everything feel closer. I’m downstairs in my office, finishing the last of the paperwork I couldn’t leave undone, when I look up. Ollie leans against the doorway, watching me like he’s been there a while. He’s wearing a T-shirt and gray sweatpants that hang low on his hips.
Merry Christmas to me.
My pulse stutters. “You gonna keep staring,” I say lightly, “or are you gonna come say hi?”
His eyes darken as he steps inside, slow and deliberate, and says casually, “You know I’ve always wanted to fuck you on this desk.”
Okay, I really like dirty Ollie. Like,reallylike him.
Who knew that underneath that golden retriever-ness was a dirty man who does dirty things? I’m not complaining at all.
Heat floods me instantly, sharp and delicious. I lean back in my chair, tilting my head. “That’s funny,” I say. “Because I’ve always wanted you to fuck me on my desk.”
Something flashes across his face. Want, but underneath it, something deeper.
“You really scared me the other night,” he says, low and honest. “I feel like I just got everything good with us. We’re together, married, and Owen is safe with us. We don’t need chaos.”
The room shifts. I stand and close the space between us. “I know,” I whisper. “I’m sorry. I was trying to eliminate chaos, not make more.”
