DAN
I really had to plead your case, but Brooke is in. We’ll start showing you two off as a couple after your competition this weekend. She wants you looking all moon-eyed, real lovey-dovey crap. Give your new girlfriend a victory kiss.
I send him back a thumbs up, but my heart stutters for a second at the thought of kissing Poppy.
This has to be done right, Jett. No deviating from the plan. And no après parties. Brooke is worried about the optics.
I look back up at Poppy, and I can’t help but let my gaze land on her plush, pink lips before shaking my head to focus again.
“We’re going to have to kiss, after my run this weekend,” I explain.
Poppy fidgets her hands in her lap, chewing on her bottom lip. Her wide eyes find mine.
“You knew we’d have to kiss at some point, right?”
“Yeah. Right. Of course,” she stammers, a flush creeping up her neck. Her eyes dart around the room, looking anywhere but me. “It’s a quick kiss.”
“Poppy, we’re about to get married, in a very public way,” I remind her. “It may not be a real marriage, but we need to trust each other. You have to tell me if you’re not okay with this.”
Now, she looks at me with a shy smile, and her throat bobs as she swallows.
She glances down into her lap again. “I never thought this would be how I have my first kiss.”
My brain short circuits for a moment, taking in this new information.
“Your first kiss,” I say, repeating the word as if it will somehow help me make sense of it.
Poppy and I are almost the same age, and the number of kisses I’ve had in my lifetime makes it hard for me to understand how she’s had…none.
Her shoulders drop and she throws her head back.
“This is why I don’t tell anyone. It’s not exactly easy to admit that I’m almost thirty years old and I’ve never been kissed. Especially not to—” she gestures her hand towards me “—people like you.”
“People like me?” I’m getting ready to be offended when Poppy elaborates.
“You’re suave and charming, and you’ve never had a problem with relationships.”
“With hookups,” I clarify. “I’ve never had a problem with hookups. Relationships are another issue.”
Once you start venturing into relationship territory is when you set yourself up for hurt, for pain, for hardship. Hookups are fun, and I’ve got one life to live, so I’m going to have fun.
“Doesn’t matter. You’re experienced,” Poppy says. “I’m not.”
“Poppy, we don’t have to…” I start, my mind whirring with what this will mean for Poppy. The whole plan now seems outrageous.
“No, Jett. We do. It’s okay. No turning back.”
I eye her for a moment and we’re in a bit of a stare-off.
“Only if you’re sure this isn’t a problem for you.”
Poppy forces a smile, as if to reassure me, but apprehension settles in my gut.
“Nope, no problem at all,” she squeaks.
CHAPTER 10
POPPY
