Page 73 of Stay Wild Darlin’

I couldn’t stop smiling. I already knew they were right.

30

Poppy

There was a soft knock at the hotel door, and I quietly went to answer it.

Harleigh stood on the other side with Fable beside her.

“We’re here to relieve you so you can grab some dinner,” Harleigh said with a smile.

I shook my head. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know,” Fable said gently. “But let us. Go take a minute for yourself. We’ve got her.”

I had opted out of the group dinner after the event—Cora was already asleep in my arms by the time everyone started heading out. I figured I’d order room service once she was settled in for the night.

Dalton had splurged on the hotel setup, reserving us a suite with a proper bedroom and a small living area. It was more than enough, and it made things easy.

“Okay, okay—thank you,” I murmured. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Take your time,” Fable said with a wink.

Harleigh grinned. “Seriously. Go breathe.”

I laughed quietly, slipped my hotel key from the table, and eased the door shut behind me. I didn’t plan to be long—maybe head downstairs, grab something quick from the lobby restaurant, and bring it up. Maybe we could all eat together.

The second I stepped into the hallway, I stopped short.

Dalton was standing there, waiting.

He was leaning casually against the wall outside the door, hands tucked into the front pockets of his jeans, his belt buckle glinting under the warm hallway light, hat propped on his head. He’d changed—no longer in his gear but in a pearl snap button-down, crisp and fitted.

Damn.

“Hey, you,” I said, unable to help the smile that slipped through. “Cora’s inside with Fable and Harleigh,” I said quickly. “She’s sleeping. I wasn’t⁠—”

“Will you eat with me?” he asked, cutting me off gently. “I’m starving.”

My brows knit together. “B-but . . . weren’t you at the dinner earlier?”

He shook his head. “Nah. Beau and I were talking strategy for tomorrow.”

I blinked. “Oh.”

“So?” He tilted his head, voice easy but eyes locked on mine. “Will you?”

I smiled, then glanced back at the hotel room door behind me.

“You planned this, didn’t you?”

He shrugged, completely unapologetic. “Maybe.”

I turned back to him, heart beating a little too fast. “Alright, cowboy,” I murmured, stepping closer. “Only to celebrate the new number one bull rider in the world.”

His grin deepened, and the space between us felt like it might catch fire.

The elevator ride down was quiet, as we headed to the restaurant in the lobby. Because it was late, the tables were half empty, which made it feel like a private dinner between us. We were led to a booth near the back, and Dalton let me slide in first. He sat across from me.