Chapter Twenty-Three Poppy—Before
| Twenty-Three |
Poppy—Before
It’s been three weeks, and I’ve spent every night at his apartment, even on the nights I work until three a.m. He always waits up for me and no matter how tired I am, I jump his bones.
He’s so sexy and so good in bed. An unusual combination.
My experience has been the better-looking the man, the less good in bed.
They seem to think they don’t have to try or something. But not Bennett.
It’s Sunday and we’ve finished an early dinner. He cooks for me too. I was getting ready to leave to work on a collage that I’d finally found the last piece for. I got up from the table.
“I’m going to get going.”
He walked over to me and kissed me, his hand moving to my ass. I laughed and pushed his hand away.
“Oh no you don’t. I told you I have work to do.”
“I hate it when you’re not here. Why don’t you move in?”
I was stunned. “What?”
“Move in with me. You’re here most of the time anyway.”
“Tempting. But I’m not giving up my apartment to move in with you. That’s crazy.”
“I love you. Don’t you love me?”
I looked at him. “You know I do.”
“Then don’t move in with me. Marry me.”
I sat back down, looking at him in shock. “Now I know you’re crazy!”
“No, I mean it, Poppy. You’re killing yourself working two jobs to pay for that apartment.
You’re a brilliant artist. You need time to create.
I want to get back to Bedford. The only reason I’ve stayed in this apartment for the past few weeks is you.
It’s so peaceful there. Clean air, wide open spaces.
You can really breathe. You’d love it. It’s the quintessential village. ”
He grabbed a photo from the counter and showed it to me. A white colonial surrounded by trees. I looked at the photo, then up at him. “This looks so remote. I don’t—”
“We were both saying the other day how crowded and dirty it is here. You could have your own studio. And we’d be an hour from the city. It’s perfect. You’d have all this free time to create. I even have a housekeeper who does all the cooking and cleaning.”
“That sounds rather posh,” I said, laughing.
“She used to be my nanny and she’s great. Felicia. Moved up from Virginia years ago when I bought the place.”
“She lives with you?”
He shook his head. “In the guesthouse on the property. Don’t worry. It’s about a mile away and she’s very respectful of my privacy.”
“Hmm. That sounds, I don’t know. A bit Victorian. But I do like the idea of someone else cooking and cleaning.”
“Aren’t you ready for a change? An escape from the madness of the city?”
It did sound refreshing. I like the country, and it could be a fresh start.
And the idea of quitting the bar appealed to me.
I’d been putting my heart and soul into working at the gallery, but they still hadn’t shown any interest in my work.
It would be great to have all that time to myself for my art.
But depending on a man for my income seemed foolish.
Although Bennett had plenty of money, that was evident.
But I’d been working so hard on my independence, and this seemed like a step backward.
“There are lots of antique shops around there,” Bennett said, raising his eyebrows.
“I’m aware. But Bennett, I don’t feel right having you support me. Quit both my jobs, give up my apartment? Move to some little town? It sounds like a Hallmark movie. And I’m not a Hallmark type of girl.”
He laughed. “You’re certainly not. Look, I get it.
I walked away from my parents’ money, and I was lucky that my art paid off right away.
Yours will too. I know it. But how will that happen if you’re spending all your time working at jobs that mean nothing to you? You can follow your passion. Say yes.”
I wanted to say yes, but it felt so old-fashioned to rely on a man to support me. I had to think it over.
“I’m not saying no. I need some time. I’ve made some rash decisions in my life, but this—”
He got up and pulled me into his arms. “Not saying no is a good place to start.”
I had finally met a man as passionate about his art as I was.
Someone who wouldn’t complain when I lost myself creating because he did the same thing.
I wouldn’t have to choose like I had in the past. And Bennett was intelligent, kind, and someone I could picture growing old with.
My heart had already said yes. It was just a matter of time until the rest of me went along.