Chapter 27 Poppy
S o far this happy hour has been me constantly reminding myself that Owen and I can be friends, but sitting here, looking into the endless depths of his eyes, the small dimple on his left cheek, and the way his shoulders slope to meet his muscled arms, I’m not so sure. It’s not even the fact that I’m clearly attracted to him, he’s also kind, thoughtful, incredibly smart, and seems to notice the little things that no one else would. And I like that.
Kelly returns with our drinks. Handing me the cool glass, I see Noah take a long sip of his beer before both guys are looking at me. Physically pushing myself back from the table, “How did I end up here?” I look between the two of them, knowing I wasn’t quite listening, but making my best guess. My thoughts were…elsewhere.
“Yeah, Poppy. Tell us your history,” Noah croons as he sucks down more of his beer.
“I was born here in Honey Cove and have lived here all my life. I’ve always been here. So after I graduated, it was just a given that I’d come back.” Shrugging, I sip from my glass, the sweet bubbles sliding down my throat effortlessly. “I love Honey Cove and I’m not sure I’d ever want to live anywhere else.” I also came back because of Steven. That waiting atomic bomb I felt inexplicably tied to at the time.
Noah, sensing my nerves and what I’ve left unspoken chimes in, “I grew up here too, two years ahead of Poppy in school. You should have seen the school pictures. Next time you’re over, I’ll pull out the yearbooks.”
A deep laugh rumbles out of Owen, “I’d like that.” His smile fills his face and I can feel the warmth radiating off of him. How does he do that?
“I have nothing to hide,” I say, raising an eyebrow and returning his full fledged smirk, ignoring the pounding of my heart filling my ears.
“I left for college, counseled at another school, but then moved back home to help my family after my mom got sick.” He signals to Kelly that he’d like another beer before continuing, “She’s doing well now, but I was glad to be home to help. And I’ve stayed ever since.”
Noah notices that Owen and I are still watching one another and shifts the conversation. “Hey, Owen, do you exercise?”
My head whips around to glare at Noah, I can tell where this is going and it’s clear he’s ignoring all my requests and personal decisions to keep things platonic between Owen and me. I know I said I’d think about things, but this feels forward and meddlesome, even for Noah.
“I do. It’s mostly body weight exercises, push-ups, pull-ups, those types of things. You?”
Before my mind can run off down that trail of imagination, Noah is answering. “Poppy and I run. You’d never believe how gorgeous the boardwalk looks in the morning sunshine. Especially this time of year.”
I nod, confirming that we’re runners to Owen before the inevitable comes out of Noah’s mouth. “You should go running with us sometime.” He excitedly looks between us, hopeful for the outcome he’s been planning.
“Oh, sure. I could try that, I think.” Owen eyes his beer nervously.
“Saturday. Meet in front of Bobbi’s at six.” Noah says it so decidedly, neither Owen or I argues with him at all. He drinks his freshly delivered beer and smiles to himself. He’s so proud. I give his shin a much deserved kick under the table. Although in my flats, the effect is less than I’d hoped for.
“Anyways,” I chime in, “How is your classroom feeling with students in it now? Anything you need?” I still cannot fathom how the year has already begun. I’ve blinked and the school year is in full swing. I haven’t completely found my new routine here at home, but I am getting there, slowly figuring out what I want my day to day life to look like.
“Yeah, it’s still coming along,” he answers, slowly nursing his beer. “It doesn’t feel as cozy as Noah’s office or yours with the lights, but I’m trying to make it my own.”
“We’ve had years to work on our spaces. If you want to borrow anything, let me know. I have too much stuff as it is. If you need an extra bookshelf or anything, just email out to the “all staff” email and I’m sure someone has one they’re trying to get rid of.”
“That would be great actually, I do need another bookshelf. And I need to run to the bathroom, I’ll be right back.” Owen has barely left the table before I’m hitting Noah in the arm.
“Why did you do that? You are unbelievable.”
He smiles back at me, knowingly. “What? I thought it would be fun. Owen is a nice guy Poppy, even if nothing happens, we should be friends with him.”
“ Even if nothing happens . Something already happened, you jerk.” Pointing a finger at him, I down the last of my cocktail before saying, “Promise me, no more meddling.”
He holds up his hands in protest or submission, which I can’t tell. “Fine, fine. No more meddling.”
Somehow, I don’t believe him.