Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
THREE WEEKS LATER
Poppy woke to sunlight streaming in through the windows and the sound of a gull circling over the water.
She let out a sleepy yawn. She’d been up late again with Cooper, making up for lost time.
Her aunt was on another trip, which meant they’d had the run of the house—and boy, had they made good use of it.
She blushed, remembering just what Cooper had done to her on the living room couch, and how his body had felt, that delicious weight pressing her into the cushions.
She rolled over. The bed was empty beside her, but there was a note on the pillow.
Morning, beautiful. Early start next door, come by when you’re up.
She got out of bed and went to the window.
The house next door was almost complete now, with navy shutters hanging by every window, and a stately front door.
Cooper had been working late all week to install all the final touches, but he hadn’t let her visit; he said he’d wanted to save it until everything was done.
And if his note was anything to go by, that day was finally here.
Her cellphone rang, and Poppy fished it out off the nightstand, smiling when she saw the caller ID.
“Hey Summer! All set for your visit?” she asked. Summer’s boss at the restaurant had volunteered her to bake for a lavish wedding on the Cape, so she would be driving down tomorrow with all six layers carefully packed in a van.
“If by that, you mean have I spent the past twenty-four hours creating an epic wedding cake from scratch, then the answer is yes.” Summer sounded tired. “I swear, I wound up dreaming of little sugar roses. Bags of flour grew legs and started waltzing through my mind.”
“I’m sorry. But I promise, you’ll have a chance to relax here,” Poppy said. “I’ve planned all kinds of fun stuff for us. It’ll be great.”
“It’s the only plus side to the gig. I can’t wait to see you!” Summer exclaimed. “And to meet this Cooper of yours. He hasn’t passed my test yet.”
“There’s a test?”
“You know, does he adore you? Can he provide constant entertainment and copious orgasms? Will he introduce me to other hot, single guys? The usual.”
“Yes, yes, and I’m sure. You’re going to love him.” Poppy smiled, glancing out of the window. “I do.”
“Aww, listen to you, all loved up. I’d hate you if you weren’t my best friend,” Summer said cheerfully. “Anyway, I have to get back to work. Chef Andre is on the warpath, again. Something about the soufflés last night, apparently they weren’t airy enough for his highness.”
“Quelle horreur!” Poppy laughed. “See you tomorrow. Drive safe!”
She hung up, pleased they would be spending time together soon.
It had been surprisingly easy to pack her life in New York away and ship it all out here—she’d found a subletter no problem, and they’d even hired a moving truck for all the books she couldn’t bear to leave behind—but putting hours between her and Summer was the one sour note.
Still, it was only a short trip away, and she was sure Sweetbriar Cove could tempt her friend out more often—especially now that summer was filling the beaches and bringing a salty tang to the warm breeze.
Poppy dressed in jeans and a light sweatshirt, then poured a Thermos of coffee and headed next door. The front door was open, and when she stepped inside, she found a calm expanse of polished hardwood floors, gleaming honey-gold in the sun. “Hello?” she called.
“In here!”
She followed Cooper’s voice into the back, where a large, open-plan kitchen opened up on a breakfast room with a wall of windows. “Cooper!” she exclaimed, looking around. “This is amazing!”
“You like it?” Cooper came to greet her with a kiss. Poppy looked around in awe.
“Are you kidding? The light . . . and this view!” There was nothing between the house and the bay, just lush grass leading down to a white picket fence, the dunes, and the sparkling ocean. “It’s incredible.”
“There’s a view from every room,” he said, showing her to the family room, with cute built-ins and French doors out to the porch. “I managed to restore these cabinets from the originals,” he added, clearly proud of his handiwork. “And all those arches and cornicing are original, too.”
Poppy shook her head in amazement. “I can’t believe it. It seems like only yesterday this was all just bare foundation and joists.”
“And noise,” Cooper said, grinning.
“That too,” she laughed, remembering their first meeting.
“Come on, let me show you around.” Cooper took her hand and led her through, pointing out the gorgeous marble in the kitchen, and all the historical details he’d taken such pains to preserve.
He really was an artist, Poppy realized, seeing just how many tiny decisions had gone into making such a magnificent space.
It was homey and spacious all at once, and she couldn’t help but feel envious that some lucky person would get to call this home.
“This is my favorite room,” Cooper said with a smile, as he took her upstairs and opened the door to the master suite. “It faces east, so you get sunrise every morning.”
“Oh my god,” Poppy breathed, taking in the amazing windows. She wandered closer, out onto the balcony overlooking the whole bay. “If I lived here, I would never get out of bed!”
“Good.” Cooper wrapped his arms around her from behind. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Poppy twisted around. “What do you mean?”
“I thought we could live here,” he said casually, like he was suggesting they go for breakfast, or watch a new show on TV tonight.
She blinked, stunned. “Are you serious?”
Cooper kissed her gently, then pulled back with a smile. “I knew from the start that this project was different. It’s not just another house to me. It’s a home. And . . . I’d like it to be our home. If you want.”
Poppy couldn’t believe it. “Yes!” she exclaimed. “Oh my god, yes. But, are you sure?” she checked, before she could run away with the idea. “I know we’ve been spending every night together, but moving in is a big step. I don’t want to rush you.”
“There’s no rush.” Cooper held her closer, so she could rest her head against his chest. “As far as I’m concerned, forever can take its sweet time.”
She let out a breath, soaking in the feeling of his embrace, and the steady beating of his heart. He was right, she realized happily.
They had forever now, and she would savor every minute of it.
THE END