But all it did was make me wonder how much better it would be if it had been real.
I scruba hand over my face and pause at the top of the stairs. I can’t avoid Poppy. For starters, I don’t want to. Second, she shouldn’t be hobbling around until I’m certain she’s okay, which means I need to make sure she eats and is comfortable.
I can spend time with her like a normal human being.
I start down the stairs, stopping when I hear it. A sniffle. Soft, followed by another one. My heart jolts into overdrive and I run down and into the living room, halting when Poppy hastily wipes her eyes and turns away from me, looking out the window.
“Poppy?” My voice is hoarse. “Are you okay?”
A tiny nod. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Is it your ankle?” I ask, slowly approaching the couch.
“No. It’s fine.”
“Are you…” I swallow, not certain what to say. “Hungry?” I finish, wincing at my own stupidity.
“I’m fine.” Her hair falls over her shoulder, looking like black silk under the lights. She hugs herself and I can’t force myself to walk away even though it’s clear my company isn’t wanted.
“You’re not fine.” I move around the couch, my heart stinging when I see her red-rimmed eyes. Was she down here crying the whole time?
“I’m fine.” Anger simmers under her words. “Are the roads open yet?”
She wants to leave. Of course she does.
“I’ll check, but Colorado Springs is a couple of hours from here. Where are you going to go?”
Her eyes close and she takes a deep breath like I’m trying her patience. “There must be a hotel or something in town. I’ll go there until I can rent a car.”
Something possessive bubbles up inside of me. I don’t want her to go to a hotel or rent a car. I want her to stay here where I can watch her snuggle the goats and laugh at my stupid stories.
“You can just stay here.”
“No, I can’t.” She refuses to look at me and it wrenches my chest. If only I had waited, let her get more comfortable, not come on so strong.
“Poppy, I’m so sorry.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “I never should have touched you. I promise you’re safe here.”
Her nose wrinkles and she frowns over at me. “I know I’m safe here.”
“Then you’ll stay until your ankle is healed?” That buys me some time at least. Time to show her I can respect what she needs.
She shakes her head. “No. If you wouldn’t mind driving me into town, I won’t bother you anymore.”
The way she says it, the underlying tone makes my heart sink. “You’re not bothering me.”
Her laugh contains none of the lighthearted joy I heard earlier. “The last thing you need is some delusional woman mooning over you. I should be apologizing to you.”
It’s my turn to frown. What is she even talking about? “Ikissedyou, Poppy. While you’re injured and a guest in my home. You have nothing to apologize for. I touched you without asking.”
She bites her lip. “It’s fine.”
“Stop saying it’s fine. I took advantage?—”
“I wanted you to.”
Her words penetrate the cloud of frustration in my head. I stare at her. “What?”
“I wanted the kiss.” Her throat moves as she swallows, dropping her gaze to her hands. “It was the best kiss of my life.”
