Chapter 11 Blind Date #2
“You’re hilarious,” I say sarcastically, when an idea suddenly hits me. “Speaking of Poppy, can I get her phone number? She left something at my place that I need to return.”
“You can just give it to me, and I’ll take care of it.”
The problem is, she didn’t leave anything. Damn, Cici, for making it complicated.
“I’ll handle it, since it’s my responsibility. Warren can mail it—that’s what assistants are for.”
“Among other things, I’ve heard,” she says pointedly, causing Eli to snicker.
Yep, I walked into that one.
“Right. So what’s her number so I can reach out?” I try again, pulling my phone out this time, hoping she’ll spill it already.
She does, thank God, and I’m instantly anxious to wrap this up so I can go text her. I’m so fucked.
After Cici rattles it off, she catches me off guard. “By the way, you must have had quite the impact on her. She’s suddenly pretty serious about finding someone serious. Listen to this. She signed up for this dating app without pictures. I still can’t believe something like that even exists.”
Eli disagrees. “I don’t know. It made sense when she explained it to me. It’s more about the relationship rather than a quick fuck.” He shrugs.
“Screw that. I’m siding with Cici. No pictures? No, thank you. That’s fricking insane. But enlighten me on what I had to do with it.” I raise my brows at Cici.
I can’t imagine our interaction inspiring a longing for commitment when that was the last thing I was offering.
“Sex. She wants to find a husband so she can do it all the time.” She laughs as I internally cringe at the thought of Poppy with another man, shocked at the rage it fills me with.
“Nice, dude. You should start a service for women. Your ad can be: One night with me is all the inspiration it takes to walk down the aisle.” Eli’s busting up.
I need to get out of here. That new tidbit of information has me spiraling out of control.
How the fuck can she already be dying to sleep with someone else so soon after we were together?
It obviously meant nothing to her, since she’s looking for another bed to jump into.
Fuck, what is wrong with me? I’m acting like a pussy.
That last time, though, seemed different. Almost like it was more than just sex, which is insane considering we barely know each other. I didn’t know what to say or how to leave things, and figured it was best just to let it be, but now I wish I hadn’t.
Steering the conversation to safer subjects and doing my best to remain calm, I stay long enough to finish my drink before making an excuse to head out.
I almost sent a text right when I reached the car, but decided to wait, obsessing about it the entire drive home. Thus, it’s ready to send the minute my front door shuts behind me. Not that it’s any better for having waited.
Braden: Hey, this is Braden. Cici gave me your number.
It doesn’t take long for her response to come over.
Poppy: Hi?
Braden: I wanted to check in and make sure you’re still feeling okay about that night.
Poppy: Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?
Braden: It seemed a bit out of your wheelhouse. Hoping you weren’t regretting it or beating yourself up.
Poppy: Nothing you need to worry about.
Braden: I disagree, since I’m the cause.
Poppy: I’m an adult. I could’ve said no.
Braden: But you didn’t.
Poppy: Nope, I didn’t
Braden: I’m glad.
Poppy: Me too.
Relief floods my system. I didn’t realize how worried I’d been, wondering if she regretted our last night together. But now that I have the answer, what do I do with it?
It’s not like I can ask her why she’s so eager to replace me. She’d know I was talking to Cici about her, and that would give too much away. I’m not sure what else to say—having no excuse to keep the conversation going. And when nothing comes to mind, I decide to let it die.
But as days pass and I’m still perseverating over what feels like unfinished business, I know I need to think of something. Inspiration finally hits, and although it seems drastic, I’m getting desperate at this point.
Braden: Would you be open to some company next week?
Poppy: Why?
Braden: I’ll be in Bozeman for a meeting and thought we could see each other.
I don’t have any such plans yet. But it wouldn’t take long to make a trip happen. She doesn’t answer right away, and my palms sweat as I wait. Damn, this woman drives me crazy.
Poppy: Probably not a good idea.
Braden: Why?
Poppy: Because we had our fun, and now we’re done.
Braden: We don’t have to be.
Poppy: Yes, we do. You don’t do relationships, remember? Enjoy your time in Bozeman, but it won’t be with me.
Fuck. So much for that. I certainly can’t show up after she blatantly turned me down. It’s not until I’m putting myself through another grueling workout at the gym that I’m struck by pure genius.
When I type the words “dating app with no picture” into Google, two different options appear on the screen. Not bad odds, but why make a profile on both when I can simply ask Eli which site she used? Time is money.
Braden: What’s the name of the dating app you guys were telling me about? The one Poppy’s doing with no pictures? Warren is interested.
It’s a great excuse if I do say so myself. It’s not like I could tell him my plan. If anyone knew what I was about to do, they’d think I was certifiable. Hell, maybe I am.
Eli: Warren, your assistant? Weird. I’m not sure, but it had the word blind in it.
Braden: Thanks, that should be enough to go on.
Eli: Good luck.
Braden: I’ll pass it on.
Perfect. That gives me exactly what I need.
The next thing I know, I’m creating a dating profile, focusing on the details I think Poppy will be looking for while being careful not to use anything that could blow my cover.
I decide to go with my middle name, Owen, and last initial to make myself feel better about not lying… per se.
The tricky part will be making sure we match, which means we’ll have to choose each other’s profiles. Poppy comes up quickly because my preferences all point to her. Now that I’ve selected hers, it’ll be up to fate whether she chooses mine in return.
A week later, fate still hasn’t stepped in, and I’m starting to get nervous.
I’m headed to Jackson’s for Thanksgiving as I do most years.
My mom has her husband and his family to celebrate with.
We talked this morning, of course, but stuffing myself with turkey isn’t enough of a reason to fly to the other side of the country, so I’ll visit at Christmas like I always do.
I’m looking forward to spending the day with friends.
I’ve shared many holidays with the Solomans since Jackson and I met, and now that Lily and Cici married the Dubree brothers, they’re all included.
Lily’s practically one of their own, having lived with them throughout high school, and Sebastian and Eli’s parents are deceased.
We’re just one big collection of misfits that they’ve graciously embraced into their family.
I’m the last one to arrive, as usual, and let myself in, greeting Mr. and Mrs. Soloman, who are busy in the kitchen, before heading out back, where the three couples are. Man, does it hit home that I’m alone now that they’re all married, two of them even starting a family. Holy shit.
“Braden, you made it. Glad you’re here, buddy.” Jackson’s the first to welcome me with a hug. His wife, Mia, is next. I inspect her stomach for the telltale sign of pregnancy, but don’t notice anything yet. I’m sure it won’t be long with baby fever running rampant.
Eli and Cici are next, along with Abby, followed by Sebastian and Lily with their days-old baby, Samantha, nestled in the crook of Sebastian’s arm. Man, is that a sight to see. He was probably voted the most likely to end up in the mafia in high school, and here he is, the doting dad.
“Congratulations, man. Fatherhood looks good on you,” I tell him as we lock arms in a bro hug.
“Thanks. Feels good, too.”
Then I turn to his wife, Lily, the last to greet. “Congrats, Lily. She’s beautiful. And so are you, I might add.”
“Careful,” Sebastian says, giving me the stink eye as I shake my head.
She slaps his arm, the one not holding their daughter. “Stop it. He was just being sweet. I gave birth a few days ago, so I obviously look like crap and six months pregnant still.”
“You’re more beautiful than ever,” Sebastian tells her with a kiss to the forehead.
“And that’s why I love you.” She looks at him adoringly enough to make me slightly envious.
“That and my baby-making skills.” He smirks at her.
Lily rolls her eyes, causing Sebastian to narrow his in return. I don’t even want to know what that’s about. But Lily ignores him and scoops up her daughter. “Don’t say those things around Samantha,” she chastises before joining the other ladies.
“See what you have to look forward to? You can never win with them,” Sebastian says, sipping his drink.
It’s crazy that it’s only been three years since we’ve been hanging out together. I feel like I’ve known these guys forever. Though Jackson and I go further back, and Mia joined us a year ago, they’re like family, and I couldn’t imagine a better group of friends.
“I’d say you’re pretty lucky in my opinion.
It’s hard to find someone worthy enough to spend the rest of your life with, so you’re all winning in my book.
” Shit, that’s not like me. I’m usually the one telling everyone that marriage is crap, but seeing my friends this happy is making me rethink that notion.
Eli raises his glass. “Cheers to that. Where’s your drink?”
“I came out to say hi first. I’ll get it in a minute.”
Sebastian jumps at the task. “Let me grab you one. I need a refill anyway.”
“Thanks,” I say as he walks off, leaving me, Jackson, and Eli.
“Speaking of finding someone worthy, did you find that dating app?” Eli asks.
“What the fuck, dude? You signed up on a dating site?” Jackson injects, laughing.
I shake my head. “No. It was for Warren. Eli and Cici told me about some pictureless dating app that Poppy went on. Warren wanted to know what it was, so I found it for him.”
“No pictures? That’s fucked up,” Jackson says.
“No shit, but whatever.” I shrug.
“So, did he sign up?” Eli stays on topic, and I don’t miss the skepticism in his voice that implies he still thinks the information was for me.
I shrug again, feigning ignorance. “I passed on the info. I’m sure I’ll hear about it if he does.”
“Let me know how it goes,” he says with a hint of something that indicates he knows I’m full of shit.
“What about Poppy? Did she find anyone yet?” I was nervous about being called out when he first brought it up, but this couldn’t have worked out better if I’d planned it myself.
“Not sure,” he says, then yells out to Cici. “Hey, babe, how’s Poppy doing on that app she went on?”
Shit. Cici’s already questioning my motives, and this won’t help. I figured Cici would’ve kept Eli up to speed, but I guess they’re too busy parenting these days to talk about trivial things.
“I haven’t heard yet. Why?” she asks accusingly while giving me the stink eye.
“Warren was thinking about signing up, so I thought I’d check if it worked for Poppy or not.”
Hopefully, he doesn’t end up around any of these guys soon, since I’m throwing him under the bus.
My response must work as she shrugs it off before answering. “She’s been busy, and we haven’t talked much. I’ll have to give her a call and see. I wish she lived here, so I could just set her up with someone.”
“Jordan would have been perfect,” Lily adds.
I’m standing right fucking here. Why not set her up with me? Whatever. That fucker wouldn’t get within ten feet of her, anyway. She’s already mine.
I don’t know where this possessiveness is coming from, but I don’t altogether hate it. What bothers me more is that they don’t think of me as an option, which is the exact problem someone else seems to have.
“Well, too bad for Jordan she doesn’t live here,” I spit out a little more aggressively than necessary.
“Too bad for Poppy. He’d be a catch,” Mia counters, to the raised brows of Jackson.
Fucking serious?