Chapter 4
Four
Patrick
We sat in a booth toward the back of the diner with me facing the entrance so I could keep an eye on anyone coming in or out.
While Poppy had spent a lot of time in Silver Falls growing up, it had been years since she’d been back, and I didn’t want her to feel overwhelmed if anyone came up to talk to her.
At least I could use my grumpy exterior to ward off most people.
I wanted her to see Gage and decide whether she was staying in Silver Falls before I let the nosy bodies of Silver Falls get close to her.
It was busy at the diner, so it took our waitress a few minutes to get to us. She hurried over, grabbing the pencil from behind her ear as she whipped out her notepad and stood at the end of the table.
“I’m so sorry about the wait. We’re a little busier than normal with the holidays,” she said, offering me a smile before looking at Poppy. “Hi! I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Terry.”
She extended her hand to Poppy, who took it nervously and attempted to smile back at her.
“Poppy.”
“Nice to meet you. I swear, I don’t think I’ve seen Pat with anyone besides Gage and Julie.
I’ve been wondering when he’d stop being so grumpy and make some friends,” Terry teased, nudging me with her elbow before rubbing a hand along her very pregnant, very swollen stomach.
Terry was happily married and had been trying to play the town matchmaker since the day she found out I was single when I first came in, almost a year ago, when I first moved there.
“I have to be grumpy, it keeps people away from me,” I teased back, as I leaned against the plush fabric of the booth.
“Well, apparently it didn’t work for Poppy. At least she doesn’t seem to think you’re too grumpy.”
“He hasn’t been grumpy with me, but maybe he just likes me more than the others,” Poppy said, grinning at me. She was up to something. I could tell by the devious smile playing at the corners of her lips.
“Does that mean you two....” Terry pointed a finger between us as she raised her eyebrows and struggled to hold in a squeal.
I opened my mouth to say no and confirm that there wasn’t anything going on between Poppy and me, but she spoke up before I could stop her.
“Yep. We’re dating. Patrick is my boyfriend,” Poppy said proudly, smiling so big I worried it would hurt her cheeks.
Fucking Poppy.
“Oh my gosh! Why didn’t you say anything?” Terry asked, smacking my arm with her notepad.
“I... Um... Well...”
“He didn’t say anything because we’ve been secretly dating,” Poppy answered for me, speaking behind her hand as if her voice wasn’t loud enough to share the secret she was attempting to hide. “He’s best friends with my cousin, Gage, who doesn’t know we’re dating.”
“What?!” Terry exclaimed, drawing the attention of several people at nearby tables. She grinned and scrunched her shoulders, waiting for them to lose interest before speaking again. “I can’t believe this! Why haven’t I seen you around before?”
“Oh, I live in Coyote Creek, which is about six hours away. We’ve been doing the whole long-distance thing for a few months now.
I decided I was tired of being away from him, so I came into town to spend the holidays with him,” Poppy answered as she reached across the table and took my hand, lacing our fingers together. “I just can’t get enough of him.”
Terry leaned in and spoke behind her hand to Poppy.
“Lock him down while you can. I can’t lie and say he hasn’t been voted the hottest, most eligible bachelor in Silver Falls. Several women here have had their eye on him and have just been waiting for their chance.”
“Well, they’ll just have to get in line for the next bachelor because this one is taken.”
Poppy grinned at me as we continued to hold hands while I processed what had just happened.
“You better treat her good,” Terry warned.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I replied, speaking only the truth.
Terry took our order and then ran off to the kitchen, no doubt to spread the rumor that Silver Falls’ most eligible bachelor was now taken.