“Since we’ve started down this road, let’s get it over with so we can move to the good stuff with Poppy.”
Darby nods her agreement, rolls to her side, and settles. “I met Pierce when I was seventeen and he was nineteen. He walked up to me at the gym and asked for my number. That was it. I was in love. Pierce bypassed school and went straight into the family business. Evin and I both attended college close to home. Pierce and I were solid, and shortly after graduation, we found out I was pregnant. It was a shock, but since we’d already discussed marriage, we rolled with it. Then I lost the baby.”
I can’t stop my audible intake of breath, and my hand involuntarily goes to my stomach. Her face twists and she drops her gaze. “Oh Poppy, did I hit on a sensitive—”
“No, not at all. I can’t imagine how awful it was.”
She gives me a sad smile and goes on. “I didn’t handle it well, pushed Pierce to the ultimate breaking point, ran away, and left him in the wreckage. I was selfish—”
“Darby!” Stephanie warns, and Darby throws her hand up in defense.
“Steph, we all know I was selfish. Even if it was self-sacrifice.” Her focus comes back to me. “While I was dealing with my loss, Pierce turned to alcohol and drugs, falling into a rough crowd. Maya and Cole were born, and Pierce never married their mother. I assumed he was in love with her, he assumed I moved on, and it took a huge dramatic event for the truth to come out. In true Pierce fashion, once he learned the truth, he made it his mission to fix things. And here we are.”
“He wants to make up for lost time.”
“Well, when this baby girl comes, we’ll have our hands full. I’m putting the brakes on for a while.”
“We’re not wasting time on that subject. The bets are rolling in. You can get in on a timeline, Poppy.” Scottie waves off Darby’s scoff. “Now that all the heavy stuff is out of the way, it’s time to discuss the unthinkable. Evin Graham is not the same man he was a day ago.”
No one says anything, waiting for me to comment. The quiet is worse than a dozen nosy questions. Being on the hot seat with this crowd is one hundred times more nerve-wracking than performing in front of thousands of people a week. “We didn’t sleep together!”
Why this is the first thing that comes out of my mouth is beyond me, but it utters without my control.
“Oh, we know that,” Billy calls from the pool.
“How?”
“One look at you in that suit is enough to know he’s on the brink.”
“What’s wrong with my suit?” I repeat from earlier.
“Not a fucking thing, but considering you are here with us, instead of tied to a bed upstairs means he’s practicing the art of self-restraint.”
“He’s a gentleman.”
Scottie and Billy exchange a glance that sends a prickle up my spine. “Are you saying he’s not?”
“Pips, that man shows all the qualities of a beast in the bedroom.”
“Eek, on that note—I’m going to the bathroom.” Darby stands and grimaces. “I want the clean version. I can’t think of my brother doing anything in the bedroom.”
“Oh my God, Darby, I didn’t mean anything.”
“Stop!” She throws her hand in my face. “You’ll learn I’m not a prude. But it’s my brother.”
“Preach, Darby and Pierce are two of the worst ever. We all know about Devin being conceived in her bakery.”
“Going now.” She rolls her eyes before disappearing.
“Okay, spill.” Megan scoots her chair closer.
“There’s nothing to tell. We hit it off. After the club, we walked around the hotel, and I stayed in his room. He offered me a shirt to change into, and we went to bed.”
“That’s the most boring night in history, considering how I found you fused on the dance floor.” Scottie sighs dramatically. “I expected a little more from him.”
“It wasn’t boring. We talked, kissed, laughed, cuddled…” I trail off when Billy and Scottie’s faces morph to horror.
“Cuddled? He’s a cuddler?”
“Well, it was more of him situating me on top of him until I fell asleep.”
“That’s about right, no space at all,” Ashlyn speaks up and Stephanie nods her agreement.
“Thank God I don’t have to pull his credentials.” Scottie refills his glass and does the same for Megan, Stephanie, and Billy. “Possessive bedroom positions are important.”
“He did kinda flip this morning when he found out I paid for a room. He took my key when I was asleep, and my things were there when I woke.”
“Heard about that room. I’m working on a full refund. They are being a little weird since it was a package, but you may get another spa day soon.”
I bolt up, squealing, “What?”
“Evin didn’t want you to be out the money. I’m getting you either a refund or a credit.”
“But why?”
“Oh lord, she’s gonna blow,” Stephanie assesses calmly. “Someone may want to fill her in.”
“Gladly. Evin will not let you pay for an unused room. That’s a ridiculous use of your money.”
“If I hadn’t met him, I’d have stayed there.”
“It’s a moot point now.”
“Can you apply it toward his extended stay?”
Darby strolls to her chair, shaking her head. “You want to set Evin off, that’s a way to do it. I missed it last night because I was in post-sex afterglow and then post-show adoration, but this morning it clicked. Don’t try it. He’s a man, Poppy. Let him do this.”
I fall back, chewing the inside of my cheek to figure out how to do something for him.
“Babe, don’t know what men you’ve been dating, but this is the MO for this crowd,” Stephanie informs me.
“Actually, I’m not used to dating much. My last bonafide boyfriend was in college. Our ending was ugly. That was over seven years ago.” My mouth has a mind of its own, spouting my personal business.
All their expressions take on a shocked look, and Billy is the only one who speaks. “Sick, no wonder she’s freaking. She’s used to dating boys.”
“I’m not freaking. I’m cautious and realistic.”
“Oh lord, this will be explosive. I may need to take a few days and stay behind to witness the greatest of all.”
“Scottie, I’d give you a kidney, but you try to bail on me now, I’ll kill you. Four weeks until I’m married and our moms are off our backs, you’ll get a very nice vacation. Todd promises.”
“I can work virtual, keep you from going down in flames, and watch the budding romance.” He says it with such seriousness, I’m a little sick. It takes a full minute for Darby to burst into giggles.
“You’re safe, Poppy. This is as much Scottie’s wedding as Stephanie’s.”
“Changing the subject, can we talk about that fabulous ring on your finger?” Ashlyn comes to sit on the side of my chair, taking my hand. “This is totally you.”
The metal and diamond sparkle magnificently in the sun. My stomach dips and flutters with giddiness. “It was a present.”