“Don’t you have a meeting to go to?”
“It can wait a few minutes.”
“I remember a year ago when you were private and minded your own business.”
“That was before we were family. Now I have carte blanche to be nosy.”
“Actually, why don’t you send it to the big screen so we can all see it,” Jackson recommends with an arrogant smirk.
All three of them stare at me expectantly. “Fine, then you people need to get a life and stay out of mine.” I give in, grabbing the remote and syncing the devices.
The screen comes alive, and this studio differs from the one Poppy took me to. The crowd of dancers is older and dressed a lot less formally. They form a semi-circle and the music goes on.
Dante slides in front, and less than a second later, Poppy spins in. My eyes fix on her and everyone else disappears. She looks completely different from a few minutes ago. Her hair is tied in two buns on either side of her head, both with small flowers tucked into the top. She’s wearing a sports bra and an oversized tank that is cut off, exposing her stomach. The tight black shorts hug her perfectly, and right above the waistline her jeweled ring sparkles.
She’s fucking gorgeous.
“Paahhhhh,” Devin mumbles, laying his head on my shoulder and reaching to the screen.
“That’s right, buddy, she’s pretty great.”
Dante shouts a few times, but I can’t tear my eyes away from her. Knowing her story, watching her perform, and seeing the photos in her room, I’ve always pictured her as a ballerina. I seriously misjudged her talent. She owns the dance floor. Her movements are fast, her body completely in tune with the beat. Sweat glistens on her skin, but she doesn’t slow down.
My cock stirs in my pants, and I have to remind myself my nephew is in my arms.
When the music stops, she collapses into Dante, and the room erupts with clapping. She works to regain her breath with her expression glowing.
Mine…
The video ends, and the room is quiet. Jackson turns to me, his eyes wide with shock and surprise. He clears his throat, “That’s your Poppy?”
“That’s her.”
“I thought she was a stage performer.”
“She is. Dante signed them up to teach this class today.”
His expression is easily readable and anger burns in my chest. Tension escalates in the air and Darby speaks up.
“Jackson, Evin’s protective of Poppy.”
He throws his hands in the air. “You’re reading me wrong. Never in a million years would I have put the two of you together. She may not be what I pictured, but I get it now. That smile alone would have me chasing her across the country.”
“You have no idea.”
“She have a sister?”
“No.”
“A friend?”
“Not one you want to get tangled up with.”
“I’m eager to meet Poppy,” he says with a grin.
“You’ll get your chance. She will be in Charleston for a few days,” Darby announces freely.
I narrow my eyes and glare at her. “How do you know that?”
“Come on, did you think it would stay a secret?”
“Scottie has a big mouth.”
“Yes, he does, but not this time. I figured it out on my own. Your secrets are hard to keep from me. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell anyone. Well, until now.”
“Exciting, I’ll plan a dinner—” Ashlyn tries.
“No need,” I cut her off. “We’re keeping it low-key.”
The women share a look that is easy to read.
“Not kidding, Darby.”
“Okay,” she replies without an ounce of sincerity.
My eyes fall to my nephew, who’s dozing off. “Your mom is a pain in my ass.”
Chapter 13
Evin
What a shit fucking day.
The pounding in my head finally weakens when I park behind Poppy’s car.
It wasn’t enough that a four-hour delay in Atlanta blew my plans to hell. Then I had to run into the last person I expected waiting for the same flight. Too focused on rearranging the night, I didn’t see Rina coming until it was too late. The total scene was a clusterfuck and she didn’t take rejection well. Especially when drunk—or close to it. I made my escape to the sky lounge and boarded the flight last to avoid her walking through first class.
Now, it’s two-thirty in the morning, and I’m finally where I need to be. A text from Ryanne tells me she’s waiting.
I grab my suitcase out of the backseat and head up the walkway. Ryanne opens the door before I can knock and leans in for a quick hug.
“She’ll be relieved. She fell asleep with her phone in her hand.”
Guilt tightens in my chest that I missed all Poppy’s calls while in the air. “Thanks for your help.”
“Meh, you can thank me with a fabulous dinner.”
“You’re on.”
She smiles warmly and locks the door. “There’s a clean towel in the bathroom if you want to shower.”
I look at Poppy’s closed door and my heart races, knowing how close she is, but still wanting to wash off the grime of my day. “I’ll be quick.”