Chapter 12
Me: Attire?
Poppy: Casual? Formal? Flirty?
Me: Flirty sounds good.
Poppy: Good for whom exactly?
Me: Depends where you’re aiming it.
Poppy: …
Poppy: …
Poppy: …
Poppy: I think I have Belle’s number in my phone from a few weeks ago. I’ll text her to find out. I’ll see you tonight. Are you sure I can’t just take a cab?
Me: NO.
Poppy: There you go again, keepering me.
Me: Keepering you?
Poppy: I’ll tell you tonight.
Me: Can’t wait.
Poppy: XX
Two kisses. Is that a good sign? What does that mean?
Are they two kisses like, “I heard you jerk off with my name on your lips, and I’m completely creeped out by you”?
Or are they, “I heard you jerk off with my name on your lips, and I’m completely turned on by you”?
Maybe they’re just polite air-kisses that you’d give to European diplomats?
If they are diplomat kisses, they are most definitely not a good sign.
Not if you’re thinking about your best friend naked… again.
I pull up in front of our flat in Tanner’s big black truck that was relegated to me so he could get something even bigger.
The wanker. I take our building steps two at a time until I reach our door.
The smell of girlie perfume fills my nostrils as I enter.
It always smells good in here. Growing up with brothers, it was common for our rooms to stink from month-old dirty socks stuffed in weird crevices.
Living with a girl definitely has its perks.
Poppy strides out from the hallway, and I do a major double take. Triple take. Hell, quadruple take. She looks fucking fit.
Her short blonde hair is styled curlier than usual.
It doesn’t have the soft sweeping look it usually does.
It has volume. Fluff. Sass. Like her personality.
Her long lashes are thick and black, framing her round brilliant green eyes that remind me of the pitch.
She swipes a shiny gloss over her lips that are stained a deep ruddy colour, making them look heavy and plump.
My mind instantly pictures my dick in her mouth from our first night together.
But the dress. The dress is so characteristically Poppy.
It’s a sexy, nighttime version of a really short sundress.
A shimmering black fabric with dainty pink and cream flowers printed all over.
The straps on her shoulders are thin, holding up the dipping neckline that shows just enough cleavage to make me pant, but not enough to make me beg. She looks elegant. Like a woman.
“You look beautiful,” I loll, hoping my tongue isn’t hanging out of my mouth.
She looks up at me standing in the doorway. Her lower lip drops, parting from her upper as her gaze rakes over me. “You do, too. I erm…don’t think I’ve seen you in anything but team tees since I’ve been back.”
I self-consciously tug at my red and white checked button down that’s untucked over my tight jeans. “My wardrobe is a bit limited.”
She smiles. “I noticed.”
I swallow as the image of her wearing my shirt at Tower Park slices back into my mind. “Are you all set?”
She nods and I gesture for her to walk out first, watching the sway of her hips under the floaty skirt as she exits. My eyes close in pain. What the fuck are you doing, Booker?
Old George is a favourite hangout of Camden and Tanner’s.
It’s located in the heart of Bethnal Green, so it’s nice and close to the stadium and pretty much all of our flats in East London.
It’s a bit more posh than our other hangout, Welly’s, which is where we go every year to celebrate Vi and our mum’s birthday because they share the same date.
Vi has never loved her birthday because of that fact, but getting engaged to Hayden on it last year has surely helped.
“Who all is there?” Poppy asks as I drive the five minutes to the pub.
“It’s pretty much just a Harris do,” I laugh. “Indie’s not the most social butterfly you’ll ever meet.”
“Really? I got on with her quite well at your dad’s. How old is she, though? She looks too young to be a doctor.”
“She turned twenty-six today, so she is young to be as advanced in her career as she is. Cam said she skipped a few years in school.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. She seems brilliant.”
I look over at her. “So, you like her and Belle then?” I watch for her reaction.
She nods eagerly. “Those two are hilarious. Their banter had me laughing more than helping with the wedding plans. But I think they had it all covered to begin with. Indie’s to-do list is meticulous.”
I slide my hand down my jean clad thigh, wiping the sweat off my palm. “I was wondering if you’d want to come to that actually…Tanner and Belle’s wedding.” I can feel her head snap to look at me. “What?” I ask, squirming beneath her skeptical glower.
“You don’t have anyone special you want to take instead?”
“Like who?”
She huffs, “Like a date.”
Frowning, I reply, “Truthfully, I’d rather go with my best friend.”
I can feel her eyeing me as I pull into a parking stall right in front of Old George. I cut the engine and turn to look at her. Her gaze sparkles in the darkness as she stares intently at me.
“What, Poppy?” I ask, tugging on my earlobe. “What aren’t you saying?”
She fidgets with her hands on her lap. “Are we best friends again?” Her hoarse voice asking such a thoughtful question pulls me up short.
“Did we ever stop?”
“I guess not.” She looks up at me again, staring at my face like she’s trying to commit every millimetre to memory. A soft smile lightens her brow. “But I will tell you, Belle already beat you to the punch. She invited me to their wedding at your Dad’s house. I think she likes me!”
That thought makes me smile as I exit the car and hold the door open for her.
She has an extra bounce in her step as we enter the large bar and restaurant area.
Old George is adorned with exposed brick, dim lighting, and quirky vintage décor.
It’s a cool place for a fun night out that’s just a bit different that the dingier pubs we’re used to.
We walk through two reception rooms full of diners and head to the back door that opens into the huge beer garden.
It’s a lattice and ivy ensconced oasis complete with twinkling Edison bulbs.
A live indie rock band plays as we walk along the cobblestone footing toward the back where Camden reserved some rustic picnic tables for the night.
Everyone greets Poppy like she’s one of the family.
She’s quick to wish Indie a happy birthday.
I even see her slide a card over to her.
Indie coos that she didn’t need to, and they do that whole girlie bit where they argue who’s the sweetest. Indie is all smiles, rocking her cheetah-print specs and eyeing Camden through all the chaos.
Tanner vacates his spot on the bench so Poppy can slide in next to the girls. Across from them is Dad, Gareth, Vi, and Hayden. They all fall into easy conversation, so I head over to the outdoor bar with Tanner and Camden to order Poppy a drink.
I can’t help but notice Camden’s fidgeting as he peels the label off his brown bottle of beer.
“Why are you acting so strange, Cam?” I ask and pat him on the back. “Have a bloody drink and try to relax. Indie looks like she’s having a great time.”
Tanner eyes Camden speculatively. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you have something up your sleeve. But considering you tell me everything, that can’t possibly be true, right?”
Camden looks at the two of us and throws his hands up in the air. “You guys caught me! The stripper is due to arrive any minute now.”
Tanner chuckles. “Just what the doctor ordered.”
“Nice pun, bro!” Cam high fives Tan.
I roll my eyes and grab Poppy’s drink from the bartender. “You better be joking.”
Camden scoffs, “So serious, baby bro. Don’t worry about me. I think you need to turn your focus on your little flatmate situation. Just look at how easily Poppy seems to be fitting in with our ladies.”
They follow me as I take Poppy’s drink over to her.
I can’t help but observe her as she laughs at something Belle whispers in her ear.
Poppy has always been charismatic and could talk easily with anyone.
But seeing her slip in so effortlessly now that we’re all grown up is… nice. My chest puffs up with pride.
She waves her drink glass at me in thanks, her eyes twinkling that familiar Poppy sparkle. “It’s not tequila and cream soda, is it?”
Everyone at the table groans.
My eyes crinkle with mirth. “You’ll have to taste it to find out.”
The warning tone doesn’t go unnoticed by her. Several layers of questions could be interpreted under that statement if she really wanted to dig. Regardless, she takes a sip of her drink and winks, the tiny gesture sending a jolt of electricity through my body.
She turns her smile to Vi and asks, “What did you do with Rocky for the night?”
Vi beams. “We got a proper sitter for the first time!” She raises her hands up in the air in mock celebration and then takes a drink of her beer.
“I wanted to babysit,” Tanner bellows. “But Camden said I had to be here.”
“We wanted to be here!” Belle defends, eyes wide and angry on Tanner. “It’s my best mate’s birthday. We wouldn’t miss it, you knob.”
“That’s not what I meant! Indie knows I love her like a pig loves not being bacon,” Tanner argues. “But I would have stayed in so you all could have a night out. I don’t like the idea of leaving our Rock Star with some stranger off the street.”
“She’s not off the street!” Vi exclaims. “She was hired from an agency. She’s been vetted. She’s completely professional!”
Tanner scowls, scratching his beard. “I still don’t like it.”
“Well, we have to find someone we like before your wedding because I intend to pass off my little princess and party!”
Everyone laughs and then Hayden elbows Tanner with his mobile in his hands. “Two words. Nanny cam.”
Tanner’s eyes fly wide. “Oh, thank fuck for that!”