Chapter 14 Book Club #2
Oh my God. That was so fricking good. So much better than on my own. Like wow…. How can I ever go back to doing it by myself? Great. Not only has he ruined me for other men, but now he’s made it so I don’t even stack up. Dammit. So, what happens next?
To my relief, since I wasn’t sure where to go with the conversation, we called it a night after agreeing on how hot that was. And I must say, I slept well.
We can’t do that every time, though, so when he suggests a repeat the following evening, I quickly shut him down. And after having last night on constant replay throughout the day at work, it was no easy feat.
Instead, we ended up chatting about random things for a while, taking the night off from book club, which worked out since Owen started messaging right after.
Owen: How did Monday treat you? And before I forget to say, I’m enjoying our conversations.
Poppy: Thanks. Me too. Today went well. I’m finally catching up at work. How about you?
Owen: Couldn’t be better. So tell me more about your family. The parents who inspired your relationship goals and the brother who scared you away from boys. I take it you’re close. Do you all live in the same city? What do they do?
Poppy: LOL. Well summarized. My parents are here. We have dinner every Sunday. They’re both teachers. My brother, Grayson, has been in the military for twelve years but is finally moving home right before Christmas. I’m excited to have him back. What about yours?
Owen: Sounds like a solid family. Must be where your aspirations came from. I’m an only child. My dad is out of the picture, and my mom lives across the country with her husband. We talk on the phone once a week or so. What I lack in family, I make up for in friends. I’m fortunate in that regard.
Poppy: That’s nice. I’m lacking in the friend department. My best friend moved away, and the guy I had dinner with this weekend is my only other close friend. I’ve lived here my whole life, so I obviously know people but they’re more like acquaintances.
The night goes on, asking questions back and forth. Owen is easy to talk to. He’s sweet, and he’s constantly making me laugh. He’s perfect, yet there’s no way of knowing if we’ll be attracted to each other.
I’ll find out soon enough with only two more conversations before exchanging pictures. If anything, we could always end up as friends, but I’m hoping for more at this point and excited for our next chat on Wednesday.
Braden
I’m at dinner with the guys after work on Tuesday. It feels like it’s been forever since we’ve gone out, but finding a time that works for everyone is difficult. Between work, Eli’s and Sebastian’s newborns, and Jackson’s new marriage, we have a lot of obstacles.
When I made partner, I became busier and slowed down on going out. I didn’t notice how much I’d neglected my friends until we weren’t hanging out at all, and I miss it. However, I’m expecting a shit ton of crap when they hear about my trip this coming Thursday.
I called Jim Marlow first thing yesterday to schedule an in-person deposition. It could easily be done from here with the help of a local source, but hey, I’m a hands-on type of guy—or at least I’m hoping to be—with a certain redhead I’ll be paying a visit to.
Poppy and I enjoyed our lazy Sunday in bed, where the texting was hotter than the book. The next day, when she shut me down for more sexy times, we briefly chatted about mundane things before she convinced me to take the night off from reading.
But I hadn’t had my fill, so Owen got in touch shortly after.
Neither of us will be talking to her tonight, since I’ll be out with the guys.
I’m still not sure how I’ll dig myself out of this mess, but at this point, I’m enjoying it too much to quit.
Conversation number five is when I’ll have to worry.
That’s when exchanging photos won’t work without revealing who I am.
What I like about having Owen is learning about each other on a deeper level. I’ve kept mental notes about what I’ve shared to avoid doubling up. The thing is, I’ve revealed more to Poppy than to any other woman since Layla. Except it’s all been through Owen, and she has no idea he’s really me.
Hanging with the guys tonight is the distraction I needed, and an hour into dinner, I’m relaxed for the first time in weeks.
As our meals are cleared and we’re three drinks in, distraction is thrown out the window when the shit-talking starts.
As I’m the only single one left, they’re enjoying it a bit too much.
“I never thought the day would come when Braden the Butcher was chasing a woman,” Eli jests.
“Not just chasing. He’s traveling thousands of miles for one. She must have a damn fine pussy.” Sebastian never did lose his crassness even after settling down.
“Hey, I’m just glad you’ve finally realized not all women are bitches like Layla. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least you’re moving on.” Jackson and I have the most history, and he saw firsthand the Layla shitstorm.
Eli points his beer in my direction. “Remember, you’re walking the line. If you screw her over, you’ll pay for it. Cici will have your balls. So basically, don’t fuck it up.”
I point mine right back at him. “I guess you’d better wish me luck then. She doesn’t know I’m coming yet, so don’t go home and blab to your wife. Let me have the element of surprise. It’ll end well, I promise.”
“Care to make a wager on that?” Eli raises his brows in question. “From what I’ve heard, she doesn’t have the highest opinion of you.”
“I’d love to. I’ll hit record next time we’re in bed together.”
Their chuckles and whistles of approval accompany glasses being raised in cheers.
Eli, however, is shaking his head, smirking. “Dude. We all know the bedroom isn’t the problem. It’s everything else I’m worried about. Seriously, man, I’m not covering for you if this goes south.”
Jackson intervenes. “Go get your woman. I’ll handle my sister.”
After that, the conversation fortunately moves to less stressful topics. No one knows I’ve been talking to Poppy through the dating app, although if Warren and Eli were to end up in the same room, I might be outed, which is why Warren wasn’t invited tonight.
The last thing I want is a lecture—I’m aware how fucked up it is and don’t need to feel worse than I already do. So why am I continuing the charade and not making Owen go away? Because I’m convinced she wouldn’t be as forthcoming with me as with Owen, so he’s still needed.
Maybe after a few days in Bozeman, I’ll sweep Owen under the rug. If all goes well, she might even make the decision herself and decide I’m the one she wants. The distance may be an issue, but we’ll address that later.
We call it a night after one more drink, and by the time I crawl into bed, I’m powerless from sending a message, even though she’ll probably be asleep, since she’s an hour ahead. Lucky for me, she’s not.
Braden: It was unfortunate to miss book club tonight.
Poppy: For you maybe…
Braden: Is that so? Did you do something without me?
Poppy: Thankfully, I have more books, and I certainly don’t need your assistance for other things.
Braden: That may be true, but is it as good?
Poppy: I plead the fifth.
Braden: Hey, that’s my line.
Poppy: How was your night?
Braden: It was nice. I missed you, though…
Shit, I regret it the minute I hit send. What am I doing? It’s too soon for that.
Poppy: Oh, I know what you missed, all right. On that note, good night.
Braden: Good night, Poppy.
The next day was hell after barely sleeping. That last text had me tossing and turning, regretting the admission, while at the same time wishing it were something she could actually believe. Her opinion of Braden is still complete shit.
But really, I haven’t done much to correct it, which is my priority for tomorrow’s visit: show her another side of me—a softer side.
In the meantime, it was Owen’s turn tonight.
We ended up talking about our choice of dating apps and agreed that it’s been easier getting to know one another this way, without the typical awkwardness or distractions.
We discussed hobbies, places we’ve traveled, and where we’d like to go.
It was another perfect interaction between the two.
We’ve yet to disagree on anything, which is insane considering that she and I started out so terribly in real life. I royally fucked up from the beginning as Braden. In all fairness, I was only trying to fuck her. Now, I can’t imagine that ever being enough.
I’ve got a lot of ground to cover to change her perception of me, and it will be much easier to do in person, but first, I need to put the wheels in motion for it to work.
After crawling into bed and setting my alarm for five in the morning, I pull her name up to send one last text before closing my eyes.
Braden: I have a surprise for you tomorrow.
Poppy: Oh yeah? What kind of surprise?
Braden: The surprise kind.
Poppy: How am I getting this surprise?
Braden: I’m glad you asked. I was hoping you were free for dinner tomorrow night.
Poppy: Why? Are we doing book club and ordering in at the same time again?
Braden: Something like that. Are you available at six-thirty?
Poppy: Sure.
Braden: Go to Plonk and give your name to the hostess. They’ll direct you from there. Do you know the place?
Poppy: Of course I do, I live here. So you’re buying me dinner. That’s the surprise?
Braden: Do you need a vocabulary lesson?
Poppy: Fine, don’t tell me. I’m going to sleep now, anyway. G’night.
Braden: Sweet dreams, Mouse. Text me when you’re at the restaurant.
With the early morning flight, I arrive in time for the two o’clock meeting with Jim this afternoon. I wanted it out of the way before focusing on the main reason for my visit. His offer to meet here rather than me driving to Big Sky was helpful.
I’d called in a favor earlier this week to a local downtown law firm for the use of their conference room and arranged to have one of their clerks transcribe and act as a witness. They had the room prepared, and the clerk waiting when I walked in, just in time to greet my client.
“Good to see you again, Mr. Marlow. I appreciate you making the trek to Bozeman,” I say as we shake hands.
“My pleasure, Braden. And please, call me Jim. Big Sky has too few restaurants to choose from, so it’s nice to come down the mountain.”
“I’m glad it worked out then. Should we get started?”
“Lead the way.” He motions his arm to proceed.
The deposition took place over the next two hours and couldn’t have gone better—not that I was worried about it. The only reason I came in person was to kill two birds with one stone and figure out what this is with Poppy, what our potential is, and why I can’t stop chasing her.
I close the folio before me and nod to the clerk in dismissal, calling it a wrap.
“Well, Jim, that should do it. Thanks again for accommodating my schedule.”
His smile is kind in return. “No worries at all. I’m happy you made it up here again. Why don’t you join me for dinner while you’re in town? No sense dining alone after coming so far.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ve already got plans with a woman who lives here,” I say with a devious grin.
“Well, I won’t stand in the way of that.” He winks. “How about a drink then? One of my favorite bars is one block away if you have time.”
Glancing at my watch tells me it’s still two hours before my date. “Let’s do it. Give me a minute to wrap things up here, and I’ll be ready. Feel free to wait in the lobby. I won’t be long.”
“I’m in no hurry.”
A little while later, we’re sitting with drinks at none other than Plonk on Main Street with a cheese tray on the way. I’m not worried Poppy will notice me since I discreetly chose a corner booth, and now I’ll be able to watch her when she comes in.
“So how is it you know a woman from Bozeman? Friend from college?”
“We met on the flight back to San Diego after I came out for our initial meeting. We didn’t hit it off at first, but then she happened to be the maid of honor at the same wedding I was in that weekend.”
“Proves what a small world we live in. So why does it sound like there’s more to the story?”
For some reason, I find myself opening up and describing the entire thing in detail, which is way too much information to share with a client, but something about Jim Marlow makes me want to spill my guts. Of course, I leave out the raunchier details and Owen’s involvement.
“That’s quite the tale. I take it you like this girl?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out, sir. Truth be told, I’m not a big fan of relationships. Between being jilted by a woman, a dad who left my mom for an affair, and the line of work I’m in, I’ve steered clear of them.”
“Would you be open to some wisdom from an old man who’s been around the block?” he asks shrewdly.
I nod. “I’d love it. What do you got for me?” I ask, then sip my drink, wondering where he’s going with this, considering his wife recently cheated on him.
He chuckles, then goes in the opposite direction than expected.
“Well, son, you know my current situation would suggest a different take on things, but I’ll tell you something, living without love isn’t a life worth living.
To appreciate someone, to worship, to strive to be better for another person, fills you with purpose and inspires compassion.
There’s nothing like having a woman you’re excited to come home to every day.
” He gazes into the room, lost in his own thoughts, before continuing.
“If you came back for her, which I’m assuming is what prompted this meeting, then it might be the start of something here.” He points to his heart. “And if that’s the case, it’s worth pursuing.”
“That wasn’t what I expected, given your circumstances, but I appreciate the advice. Can’t say it’s up to me anyhow. She’s not exactly a huge fan of mine. In fact, she doesn’t even know I’m here yet.”
He laughs. “That surprises me. You seem like you could charm the pants off anybody. Where did you go wrong with this one, and how in the world are you taking her to dinner if she doesn’t know you’re here?”
“I may have come on a little too strong initially and not in the best way.” I chuckle and tell him my plans for the night and how I arranged our date without her knowing I’m here. After a hearty laugh, he leaves me to wait for my redheaded beauty, but not before wishing me luck.
And boy, will I need it.