I feel my temper rising at the thought of Poppy being pushed into something other than her chosen field. And at the thought of Poppy with another man. I take a deep breath and unclench my fists.
It’s not my business. Despite my protective feelings toward her, I know Poppy loves her family and has a good relationship with them. Getting into an argument with her dad over her career goals is not the way to start off the afternoon. I’d already pushed the limit with my comments on her ex.
I channel my patience, willing my resting tough-guy face to relax.
“Poppy says you collectStar Battleaction figures.” She told me earlier that her dad was obsessed with the classic sci-fi franchise.
He smiles widely, and I’m reminded of Poppy’s grin, which dissipates some of my annoyance toward him for wanting her to hook up with another hometown boy.
“I’ve been collecting them since the eighties. Have you seen all the movies?”
I nod. “I shot a movie with the director. He liked to talk about his early days filmingStar Battle.”
Her dad’s eyes get a fan-guy gleam, and he peppers me with questions for the next twenty minutes. He’s a stronger interviewer than any journalist I’ve met.
“George!” Poppy’s mom calls to her husband from across the room. “Come and help me with the turkey.”
He sighs. “It was nice chatting with you, but duty calls. The turkey and my wife wait for no man.”
I watch his departing figure. He kisses his wife on the forehead, and she gives him a small hug in return. I wonder what it’s like to be part of a loving couple, a well-adjusted family. I’ve rarely seen examples of that in my life, certainly not in my own family. My father left my mom when I was just a baby. And Hollywood couples tend to be the opposite of well adjusted.
“Now you’ve done it.” I turn to find Poppy grinning down at me. I didn’t see her leave the kitchen. It must have been while I was distracted by theStar Battleinquisition. I want to grab her to me and count her freckles.
I frown, struggling to recall what she’s just said. “I’ve done what?”
She sinks next to me on the couch, the side of her body warming mine. “You’ll never be free of my dad’s clutches now that you’ve talkedStar Battletogether. But I just came to tell you we’ll be eating in about fifteen minutes.”
I look around. “Have you seen Belle?”
“She’s outside playing with the neighbor’s kids.”
“And did you settle the great mashed-potato debate?”
She laughs. “You heard about that, huh?”
“I hear you’re the mashed-potato whisperer.” I smirk.
“I know my way around a spud.”
“I bet you say that to all the boys.”
“I say that to none of the boys.” Her wide smile dims. “My big family is probably a point in my disfavor when it comes to dating.” She shrugs. “But I want a guy who will want me, overly involved family and all.”
“Have you started dating again? Your dad wants you to get back out there,” I say, my lips pressing together in a flat line.
It shouldn’t matter because I’m leaving for good in a few weeks, and it’s not like I’ll have a reason to visit again. The thought doesn’t make me relax, though. It just makes my gut churn harder.
She groans. “My parents are relentless, trying to fix me up. I’ve given in once or twice,” she admits.
“And?” The need to toss her over my shoulder, claim her as mine, and ransack cities in her honor rises up.
She shrugs. “It was underwhelming. It doesn’t help that I’m in a small town. I’ve known most of the single guys my age since we were kids. They’re more like brothers than romantic prospects.”
Everything in me exhales.
She looks down, then peeks up at me shyly. Flirtatiously, even. “But there might be someone new to town whoisinteresting.”
I want her to mean me. So fucking bad. Because if she doesn’t, it means she’s interested in someone else, which I sure as hell don’t want.
