Chapter 11 Poppy
I t just might be? Did I really just say that? I’m drowning here trying to figure out how to show Owen I’m open to whatever tonight, but I feel like I’m being more awkward than I thought I’d be about the situation. I’m definitely out of practice. I haven’t been with anyone other than Steven for a long time. He and I were together for five years and before the infamous break-up, it was just high school romances that didn’t feel like anything of consequence to me.
“Why don’t we go grab that cream from my room and we can get you a proper ice pack from the kitchen inside,” I say, reluctantly. Biting my lip I look up at him for a long moment before the mosquitos flitting around my head demand more of my attention. Those expensive citronella candles Andi insisted on aren’t doing their job.
He searches my face, perhaps looking for the same confirmation I am indeed implying what he thinks I’m implying. After trying to figure things out he responds with a simple, quiet, “Alright, Poppy.” My name comes out deep and a little gravelly as he says it and I find myself wishing he’d say it again and again.
As we move towards the patio, I feel a sudden wave of panic. “Wait, we should go up separately. My parents are here,” I say, my throat tight as I look around to make sure they aren’t watching all of this. I connected with them again after the ceremony but haven’t been keeping tabs on what they’ve been up to. A lot of their friends are here and I know they’re probably off having fun as well.
I’m open to being just Poppy tonight, but am not sure what they would think of my added extracurricular activities on my first night back in town. Especially with so much of the town here with a front row view.
He chuckles before adding, “Why would we need to hide that we’re getting cream for my bee sting?” Owen raises his eyebrows at me, questioningly.
For a second I wonder if I’ve read this all wrong, but then he gives me a heated smile and I feel unsteady again on my feet. But this time it isn’t just the champagne.
“Just,” I give his shoulder a playful push, “go that way and I’ll meet you in the kitchen. I’m going to let them know I’m leaving.” Owen nods, taking off in a different direction.
While I scan the reception area for my parents, I can’t help but keep glancing back at him as he heads towards the house. Am I doing this? Is this really happening? Cut it out, this is normal. People do this all the time. My mind is racing a mile a minute trying to think through the plan, while smiling at guests passing by.
I finally spy them standing next to a table, under the hanging lights and looking very much in love while talking with our neighbors. My dad’s hand casually drapes over my mom’s shoulder and she turns as I walk up to them. “Hi, sweetie.”
Walking into my mom’s open arms for a hug, I feel a little weight lift off of me. She and my dad have been so supportive through everything. While I’ve dreaded coming back to such a large gathering, I have been looking forward to spending time with my family and close friends again. Despite what happened, I love Honey Cove and really can’t see myself living anywhere else.
“Hi, Mom.”
She starts to tell the neighbors about my amazing trip, as if I was taking some sort of luxurious vacation. They smile and nod, but I know they likely already know the truth of what happened. After listening for a few minutes, I politely pull her aside.
“I’m going to head up to my room. It’s just a lot coming back and being here with everyone. I’m feeling like I need a bit of quiet.” Nervously playing with my necklace, I wait patiently for her to respond. I am an adult but for some reason, at this moment, I feel like I’m doing something I shouldn’t.
She nods, pulling my hair to the side before pulling me into another hug. “You are so strong, sweetie. Can I stop by your place in a few days? I bought you some things for your classroom.”
“Sure, I’d love that.” After saying goodbye, I casually wind my way towards the kitchen and remind myself to breathe slowly. The memory of his soulful eyes and the way my skin burned at his touch keeps rushing back to me, making it impossible to calm my racing heart.
It isn’t that I care if others know that I’m taking Owen to my room. But it feels like it would be best if they didn’t know it tonight . I don’t want to make a scene or have people thinking I’m a different person now, but I do want to try something a little out of my comfort zone and there’s no shame in that. I also don’t want to distract people from Andi and Brandon’s night.
Once safely inside, I see Owen across the busy room and make my way towards him. Stepping closer to him, I find myself forced from behind, my hands finding their way to his chest as someone pushes past me to get back outside. He reaches down with his hand on the small of my back to make sure neither of us are bumped by the crowd that has seemed to take over the kitchen. Standing up on my toes I put my mouth close to his ear and whisper, “I’ll go up the stairs, you wait for a while, then head up to use the bathroom. When the coast is clear, come to my room. Second on the left.”
Then I’m off, leaving him hopefully awestruck by how alluring I am. Grasping the handrail to help me climb the stairs, my thoughts start to slow down a little. Keep breathing, Poppy. You can do this.
Once in the room, I’m not entirely sure what to do with myself. What if he doesn’t come? What if someone sees him and makes a scene? I remember the cream I promised him and shuffle through my bag, dumping belongings onto the bed in my rush. In less than a minute, I’ve found it and pushed all my things back into the bag, clutching the cream close.
What do I do once he’s here?
Has it been too long and he changed his mind? Biting my thumb, I turn off the lights and peek out the window to see if I can see him back outside at the wedding, but there’s no sign of him. Before I can continue a more thorough scan, I hear the door click. Whirling around with a small, surprised gasp, Owen slowly closes the door and puts his finger up to his lips to quiet me.
Mouthing the word “Andi” he points his thumb over his shoulder, then smirks at me like he’s trying to hold in a giggle. That starts me up and I have to hold my hand over my mouth to keep a laugh from escaping. Soon, we hear her soft footsteps going down the stairs and the rustle of her dress against the wall.
“What happened?” I whisper.
“I started to come over from the bathroom, but didn’t realize Andi was in her room. She didn’t see me, but I wasn’t sure if she’d check on you in here.” Nodding, I remember the cream and hold it out to him. He takes it and opens the cap while keeping his focus on me.
“Here, I can help.” I dab some of the cream on his sting and find myself leaning closer into him than necessary. I can’t help that he feels so good and there’s something I love about the fact that we’re just Owen and Poppy. He seemingly knows nothing about what has happened and I can just be me, without all that baggage.
“Thank you,” he says, his voice deep again. Looking up at him, we lock eyes and my breathing becomes short, the warmth of his body sending a spark through my own. He sets the tube down slowly on the nightstand before leaning closer to me, slowly dragging his thumb along my jawline, angling my face up towards his. Shadows from the window and the party below dance along his face, bathing us both in a golden, flickering light.
The wait is agonizing. Owen takes a breath before whispering, “You are beautiful, just Poppy.” His lips are an inch away from my own, his breath and touch sending a shiver through my body. “Is this what you want?”
It’s all I can do to nod before he closes the distance between us. I relish the feeling of the softness of his full lips and press my body more firmly against him. My pulse skyrockets as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me in tighter still. All my nerves about tonight, every worry I had about coming home seems to disappear in the moment. Every thought and feeling focused on us.
I guess I am better at this than I thought.