“Look, I didn’t want to freak you out, but there is a nasty case of FOMO going around, and I am the only one with the antidote, so it is in your best interest to see me later.”
Her expression softened. “Really?”
“Yes. Apparently, there was a superspreader at the wedding yesterday, so I’m afraid you have been exposed.”
A grin tugged at the corners of her mouth. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I have some ideas.” His voice deepened.
The grin widened to a full smile, and she started to say, “Fine, I just?—”
She was interrupted by an alert on his phone from the security company. He checked it and saw that they had detained the person in his home and sent him a photo because they claimed they had permission to be there.
“Is everything okay?” Poppy asked, stepping forward with genuine concern.
“Someone broke into my home."
She gasped and moved closer. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine, it was someone I know.”
Her brows furrowed. “Oh.”
AJ was trying to decide what to tell the company. He didn’t want to get Emory in trouble and ruin her career, which would happen, but he couldn’t have her pulling this shit.
“Oh, my god, she’s so pretty!” Poppy exclaimed.
AJ didn’t respond. He could care less how attractive she was. He hadn’t even realized that she was looking at his screen at the photo the security had taken, which looked like an impromptu mugshot with the message reading that the detainee reported having permission to be on the premises and that she had clothes.
“Is that your girlfriend?” Poppy asked.
“No.”
“Was she your girlfriend?”
“No.”
“But she had clothes at your house?”
“We were seeing each other.”
“What happened?”
“She gave me an ultimatum.”
“An ultimatum?”
“Yes.”
“What was it?”
AJ looked up, and he could see that his response was important to Poppy. He wasn’t sure why it was. Emory had nothing to do with Poppy. “She told me that I either brought her to this wedding or we were done.”
“This wedding? This weekend?” Poppy pointed to the floor as she repeated, “This wedding, this weekend?!”
“Yes.”
“Oh.” Poppy’s pager went off once more, and she looked down at her hip. “Sorry, I, um, I have to go. It’s, um, work, obviously.”
