She beams, her eyes bright. “That’s perfect. Thanks, Nick.”
“Anything for you, hot tutor.”
She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. I pour some beer into a cup for myself to sip on.
“Here, let’s go somewhere less crowded.”
I gently place my hand on the small of her back and guide her through the crowd toward a spot near the wall by the closet, on the edge of the living room.
She turns and leans against the wall, sipping her drink as I stand in front of her. I watch as she takes a drink and scans the room.
“People keep looking at us.”
“No one’s looking at me, Poppy.”
I quirk my eyebrow at her, then look down at her dress. She bites back a smile.
“Feeling okay?” I ask.
Her smile softens as she nods up at me. “Yeah. This party’s not so bad.”
“Not so bad, huh? I’ll take that as the highest compliment from you, a certified party hater.”
She chuckles, playfully smacking my arm. “Seriously, though. I’m having a nice time, and it’s because of you. Thank you.”
She holds my gaze, her smile soft. Something warm swoops through my chest hearing her say that.
“You really went out of your way to make me comfortable. You’re really sweet, Nick.”
“I can be sweet for you, Poppy. I can be anything you want.”
She swallows, and I follow the movement along her delicate throat. God, she’s so pretty.
Her lips part like she’s about to speak, but then she looks past me, and that warm expression on her face fades. She looks freaked out now.
“Oh no…”
Chapter 11
Nick
“Oh no,” Poppy whispers again. Her eyes go wide.
“What’s wrong?” I follow her gaze across the room to a tall guy in glasses walking into the crowded house party who kind of looks like Brody, but then someone steps in front of him, and I can’t see him anymore.
“Wait, is that him? Your ex?”
She nods, swallowing hard. Her peaches-and-cream skin goes pale. “I didn’t know he would be here. He hates parties. When I told him I’d be coming tonight, he rolled his eyes at me.”
I raise my eyebrow at her. “He’s here because you’re here, Poppy.”
She blinks at me, and she furrows her eyebrows. “What?”
“You’re the reason he came. Don’t you know that?”
I smile at how adorably confused she looks right now.
She shakes her head. “No way.”
