“I should have gone for flowers over this stupid tool bouquet.”
“Flowers?
“Miles told me to bring flowers.”
She smirked. “You’re taking dating advice from a teenager?”
“Emotional maturity doesn’t have an age.” He ran a hand over his face. “God, I sound like an idiot.”
“You acted like an idiot, but you aren’t one. Maybe misguided and a little slow on the uptake. But you aren’t an idiot. I have a habit of assuming the worst.”
“That seems to be a problem of yours when it comes to me.”
“I’ll work on it.”
“Maybe we both need to get in touch with our emotional maturity.”
“I like that.” She smiled shyly. Then—not so shyly—grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him in for a drugging kiss that made him feel like he was floating. “If you want, you can help me lay tile. I need a good teammate.”
Hell yeah, he’d be her teammate. He knew jack shit about laying tile, he was more of a finisher who came in and made everything sing, but he’d get his hands dirty if it meant spending time with her.
“Come on.”
They opened the door to find Diana and Jack behind the camera, with Roger holding one of those satellite-looking microphones up to the door.
“What the hell?” Decker said, putting his hand over the camera. “This is private.”
“You’re on a reality show, man. Nothing is private,” Jack said.
Decker looked at Poppy, who was horrified and beet red. “You donothave permission to use that.”
“Come on, that was cinematic gold!” Jack said.
“No, you may not use it. It’s personal. The whole thing is personal.”
“That’s the point. You want America to like you? That’s likable. Really shows you’re a stand-up guy and not some sex tape star.”
“This isn’t about my image,” Decker said.
“That’s news to me,” Jack said with a shit-eating grin that Decker wanted to punch off his face.
“Me, too,” Poppy said. She was looking up at him with a small smile.
“What’s it about then?” Jack asked.
“Making this show the best rehab show on television and treating it with the same respect we treat the house. Understood?”
DIARY ROOM:
Poppy: I’m not ignoring anyone. I’m just focused on getting my work done in a timely and efficient manner. Seriously, nothing is going on here.
23
“So, you like this girl?” his agent asked.
It was early afternoon and Asher was there. On the set. Which could only mean there was something major happening—that would likely affect Decker’s career. Because Asher didn’t get up before ten for anything.
A slick sheen of perspiration broke out on his body. Did they hear last night through the door? They’d been as quiet as possible, but what if it wasn’t quiet enough?
