Chapter 24
Laird
Her blond hair is no longer in disarray.
Her hazel eyes pop under darkened lashes.
The smile I’m used to when she sees me is nowhere to be found when Poppy returns to the living room. She stops, the bottom of her dress fluttering forward from the abrupt action, as if there’s an invisible barrier keeping her out. “Hello,” she says, gulping with pinkened cheeks.
My sister stands from the couch as I rush to greet her. “Hey,” I whisper when I reach her, taking her hands in mine and giving her a smile that evokes her own. She rolls her eyes and looks away with a sigh. Pulling her to me, I kiss her head. “You look pretty, but how are you doing?”
“Embarrassed beyond . . .” She exhales and shakes her head.
Nikki says, “Please don’t be. I know that’s impossible, but . . .” I move to the side, slipping my arm around her waist, and hold her close. “I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you.”
Poppy smiles, though she’s blushing even more. She crosses the room with her hand out. “I appreciate you saying that, but I’m going to need a few more minutes to pretend it didn’t happen, that I didn’t just meet you completely naked.”
My sister shakes her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
“You as well.”
I say, “We should all be so lucky to meet you in the nude.”
She tips her head, glaring back at me. “It’s too soon.”
“I’ll try again later.” I ask, “Coffee?”
“I’d love it,” she replies.
While I make a cup for my girl, Nikki says, “It’s my fault.
I’m used to barging into my brother’s house.
I wasn’t thinking he had company. I really am so sorry.
” I appreciate the effort my sister is making for her.
Nikki has great intuition and doesn’t bullshit with people.
If she doesn’t get a good sense of character, she won’t attempt to get to know someone.
It’s a skill she had to adapt in the entertainment business.
Most aren’t out to help a career but to help themselves.
Poppy tugs at the waist of her dress, fidgeting, but then her hands fall to her sides as she slips into comfortable conversation.
“It’s fine. I’ll get over it.” She laughs quietly to herself.
“Naked isn’t how I would have chosen to meet you, but there are no redos on first impression, so I can only hope you don’t hold it against me. ”
“Never,” Nikki says, glancing out toward the pool. “Would you like to go outside? Laird and I were going to have our coffee outside. It’s a beautiful morning.”
Poppy glances at me, so I say, “I’ll be right out.”
When they go out, I watch as they walk around to the lounge chairs set up poolside. Nikki lies back, and I see her laugh after Poppy does.
My sister is important and a huge part of my life, but she doesn’t decide who I date or spend time with. But to have her get along with a partner is vital since the band and my job keeps us together all the time. The last thing I want to do is bring more turmoil to an already tumultuous situation.
With coffee in each hand, I hand a mug to Poppy and then take a sip from mine.
Nikki visors her eyes to block out the sun when she looks up at me. “Poppy saw us perform at the racetrack in Austin?”
The question isn’t lost on me. The connection she’s bridging from there to here isn’t either.
I can’t say anything, not with Poppy here, and I’m unsure how Nikki would react.
I never told her the full story. We don’t keep anything from each other, but I kept that morning I was stood up private.
I just took it out on the world in Nashville.
“Small world, right?” I reply, seeing the whitecaps on the waves of the ocean. Can I keep these secrets forever if she never recovers her memories? I should paddle out later and see if the ocean can advise me on what to do.
“So small,” my sister says, sounding truly amazed.
I chuckle. We’ve performed in front of stadiums of people around the world, and she’s still surprised when someone she meets has seen us on tour.
Turning back to Poppy, she taps her arm gently.
“We’re heading into the studio next week.
I always host a party when we complete an album.
I’d love to have you there.” Glancing at me, she adds, “If you guys are available?”
My gaze slides to Poppy’s. I can read her smile like a book, her eyes like they’re a reflection of my own. But this is long term plans, something that happens a few weeks to a month from now if we nail sessions, so I don’t want her to feel pressured. “Let us get back to you.”
Nikki stands, dusting off the back of her skirt. “Sounds good.” Walking around me, she says, “I need to get going, but I’m glad Deer Lake worked out. Can’t wait to get back into the studio with you.”
“Bored at home?” I joke.
“Never, but I miss my big brother. So I’ll take the time I’m given.” Standing next to me, she faces Poppy. “It was really nice to meet you. We didn’t get to talk about you being a chef, but I’d love to hear more about that soon.”
“Of course. Nice to meet you, too.”
“I’ll be right back.” I follow my sister into the house.
The door barely closes behind me when she says, “I love her. She’s the one.” My feet stop even though she’s still walking to the door. When she finally realizes I’m not behind her, she turns back. “What?”
“What do you mean, what? You’ve never said that about anyone I’ve dated before, much less about someone you met thirty minutes ago tops.”
Her eyes trail out to Poppy by the pool, and a shrug pops her shoulders before she adds, “I like her, and I have a good sense about these things. Remember Jessica?”
“Elrod? Yes, you never let me forget.” I start for the door, ready to give my sister the boot.
Patting me on the arm, she laughs. “For good reason, brother.”
“I’m allowed to make mistakes at nineteen.”
“Absolutely. I made enough for both of us when it comes to dating. But now I want to see you happy.” She grins up at me like a Cheshire cat. “And Poppy makes you happy.”
I don’t try to hide it, grinning right back. I’m fucking ecstatic on the inside, but I’m good at holding my cards close to my chest about the current situation. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel bad for keeping secrets from my sister. “She does.”
“Come to dinner this weekend. Mom and Dad will be there. I think she’ll enjoy meeting the family.”
“I’ll talk to her.” I pass her by to open the door and shoot her a cheesy grin. “Thanks for stopping by.”
“Message received. Have fun.” She walks outside, then stops and turns back. “I’m glad you’re back. Not to jinx anything, but it’s good to see you again.”
“You just saw me days ago.”
“No, you, the old you. The guy who’s been missing for a while. It’s good to see you smile.” Walking away, she waves over her head. “See ya.”
“Drive safe.” I close the door and lock it. Turning back to the living room, I spy Poppy. She’s still outside but now standing, taking in the view. Her arms are crossed over her stomach, her gaze directed into the distance.
When I slide open the door to the backyard, I say, “Guess you met my sister.”
She looks over her shoulder and laughs. “Not the way I’d like. You know, with clothes on.”
“It could have been worse. It could have been my parents.”
“True.” Her arms fall to her sides, and she turns toward me as I approach. “Be honest. Was she just being nice?”
“She is nice, but she genuinely liked you. Looked like you got along out here talking.” I’ve wanted to touch her all morning, but since it was a rough start, I kept it light.
Now, since we’re alone, I pull her into my arms, enveloping her against me.
I kiss her head. When her arms come around me, I feel us falling into each other.
As much as it’s been fast to any onlookers, the pace felt right for us.
For me, we’ve picked up where we left off.
The reasons I fell in love with her the first time are evident—her laughter and smile, the way she treats me like I’m deserving, our kisses and the connection, the sex and the smart comebacks, her gorgeous lips, and the eyes that mesmerize me—this time around.
She’s the complete package as if she was intended for me.
When she kisses my chest and looks up, resting her chin on me, she says, “I was naked when I met Nikki Faris. I will never live this down.”
“At least you have a good story to tell. Isn’t that what life’s about?”
She wriggles free, laughing, and heads toward the house. “I guess it is now.” Another giggle bubbles up. With the door in her hand, she stops to look back. “Coming?”
I chuckle, though I shouldn’t because of the fear in my gut. This feels too good, so right. I’m happy. Don’t I deserve that after all these years?
“Coming,” I reply, worry plaguing me if I let her out of my sight. What if something happens again?
Poppy’s washing her mug in the sink.
“You don’t have to do that,” I say. We can do it later.
“I like a clean kitchen.”
It’s center stage for her profession, so I’ll respect that. I tend to be neat myself. “Hey.” I sit on a barstool in front of her. “Is there anything you want to do today?”
Her grin gives her away. “I know exactly what I want to do with you.” The sexy vixen. She says, “Go grocery shopping.”
“Okay, not what I was expecting.”
Coming around, she kisses my cheek too chastely for my liking. “Why? What were you thinking?” Fucking you on the patio and then maybe over the kitchen island. Going down on you in the shower and then a solid nap.
Fuck. I rub the back of my neck, knowing this hard-on isn’t going down on its own. Do I take care of it privately or let the supermarket take care of it? “Nothing. How much time do you need?”
“I’ll be ready in five.” The supermarket wins this time . . . I shift my dick and follow her into the bedroom, watching her ass. It’s not helping, but it’s a beautiful sight.
Without turning back, she asks, “You going to walk around like that, or do you need some assistance?”
“Are you offering?”