We are all systems go for the wedding.
Poppy texts me back quickly, so I know she’s not working on the floor today.
With everything going on, and the way she takes time to rest after any of our public appearances, I wonder if she’s struggling to keep up with the demands of the café. If it’s taking a toll on her body. That thought makes my heart ache in a way I can’t interpret.
Can’t wait to officially be Mrs. Jett Landry
I know she means it as a joke, but it makes something flutter in my gut.
It feels like excitement.
CHAPTER 19
JETT
The clatterof bowling pins echoes around us as we step through the doors of Heartwood Lanes, the smell of fried food and sweaty socks hitting me like a wall.
“I’m surprised Brooke didn’t insist on a fancier venue,” Poppy says. She’s dressed in a pair of black jeans, black ankle boots, and of course, what looks like a hand-knit turtleneck sweater. It’s a shade of crimson that looks stunning against her milky skin and dark hair.
“Trust me, this was not her first choice,” I answer.
I informed Brooke that the engagement party had to be in Heartwood so we could have our closest friends here, and it was the only place with availability on short notice. She wasn’t even able to book out the entire building, which I heard all about, because someone named Norm was having his retirement party here on the same night.
The audacity.
I spot our group of friends standing around, waiting to get their shoes, but before we approach them, I glance downat Poppy. Her normally bright face is fraught with worry, her usual smile replaced with a pensive scowl.
“You okay?” I ask, nudging her arm with my elbow. She blinks and looks up at me as if coming out of a trance.
“Uh, yeah.”
I recognize the hesitant tone of her voice, the one that gives away her nerves. I tug her hand to slow her down and she turns to face me.
Poppy has told me a few times that the whole wedding scheme makes her apprehensive. Not necessarily of being found out, although it would be catastrophic, but of having to lie to our friends, of having to put on a performance.
It’s one thing to act the part for the media, in front of a crowd of strangers. It’s another thing to act in front of people who’ve known us both almost our entire lives. One misstep could mean the end of the ruse.
But tonight is important, because we need the support of our friends at our wedding if we’re going to make this relationship seem legitimate.
“It’s just pre-competition jitters, Pops.” It’s what Dan tells me whenever I’m tense before a competition. Somehow knowing it’s just nerves helps me take control over them, and I can lock in, put on the cool and collected mask I need to wear to get through it. “We’re in this together. Try and have some fun tonight too, yeah?”
She gives me a soft smile and a tentative nod.
“Yeah, okay. It’ll be fun.”
Poppy slides her hand down the length of my forearm and twines her fingers with mine, and although I know it’s just for appearances, something warm blooms within me. Thesatisfaction of being able to give her the same reassurance I need sometimes. I give her hand a gentle squeeze as we approach the group, already here and waiting in line for their tacky shoes.
Hudson, Grady, Mason already have beers in hand, and Mason passes me a bottle as he greets me. Poppy pulls away from me to greet her friends, as Spencer, Ally, Wren pull her in for hugs.
“Hey man,” Hudson says, slapping a hand between my shoulder blades. Grady reaches out for a handshake but uses the contact to pull me in for a crushing hug.
“So, how the fuck did we not know you and Poppy were a thing?” Grady asks as we pull apart.
My brothers and I have always been close, and of the four of us, I’ve been the most vocal about never caring to tie myself down. A pit forms in my stomach, and I take a long swig of beer to buy myself some time.
Maybe Poppy was right to be nervous, maybe convincing our friends—my brothers—that I’m suddenly ready to get hitched is an impossible task.
Out of nowhere, Wren squeals, and the rest of the women howl with laughter, as the entire bowling alley, including everyone standing around at Norm’s retirement party, all look over to see what the commotion is about.
