Meant to Be (Sweetbriar Cove #1)(49)

"You've done it once. You shouldn't need a diagram."

"Summer! You know what I mean . . ." Poppy walked over to the window, which looked out over the construction site next door. Cooper was back: she could see his truck parked there now, and a new level of energy in the crew working on the roof. "I haven't dated a guy in years. And this doesn't even feel like dating, it's just . . . Cooper. You know?"

"Nope," Summer replied cheerfully. Poppy could hear pans clattering in the background, and knew she was already back to work. "But you'll figure it out. And if you run into problems, just follow my one simple trick."

"What's that?"

"Take off all your clothes. And if that doesn't work, take off all of his, too. Usually that gets you through the bumpy parts."

Poppy laughed. "Good to know."

"It'll be OK." Summer's voice turned serious for a moment. "You sound happy, that's the important thing."

"Alright." Poppy took a breath. "No awkwardness, no freak-outs, and when in doubt, get him naked again. I can do that!"

"Atta girl."

Summer rang off, and Poppy slowly lowered the phone. As she watched through the window, she saw Cooper emerge from the site. He grabbed some lumber from the back of his truck, moving confidently through the chaos back inside.

A text came. Cooper.

That towel's looking good on you.

Poppy leapt back from the window with a yelp. She didn't realize he could see her watching!

She took a breath, collecting herself, and typed a reply.

Want to come help me dry off?

I wish. Let me finish the roof today, and I'm all yours.

Poppy felt a happy shiver. See you later. She paused, then added an X.

Bet on it.



Was it just Cooper's imagination, or was the clock running at half speed? His work day seemed to drag on forever, knowing that Poppy was just across the yard, curled up in that study writing all kinds of steamy scenes . . .

"You want the timber stacked inside?"

Cooper heard a voice and turned. One of his guys was waiting, looking impatient. "Sorry?"

"The timber," he said again. "You said we should bring it in now that the roof is done, in case of more rain."

"Right. Yes. Thanks." Cooper tried to get a grip. Distractions were for guys who sat around in an office all day. On site, his lack of attention could cause serious damage. "Let me help with that."

He put his head down and focused on the job, pushing all thoughts of Poppy away until the rest of the crew were packed up and clocked off. Cooper thought about heading home to shower and change, making a better impression than after a full day of sweaty work, but the temptation to see her was too strong. Besides, Poppy had already seen him covered in sawdust and three-day stubble, and it hadn't seemed to bother her yet.

He waited until the last truck drove away, then headed over and knocked on the door. No reply. He tried again, then sent a text. The reply came right away.

At the cabin. Come find me.

Cooper set off along the beach path. He was pleased the cabin was working out for her, especially now that they were hammering plywood all day long. He walked faster, and was struck with a sudden sense of déjà vu-years ago, when he was a teenager, sneaking off to meet a girl in the woods.



       
         
       
        

Back then, he'd been intoxicated with hormones, and the liquor he and his friends liberated from their parents' cabinets, sitting out by a campfire late into the night. Now, he was supposed to be older and wiser, but somehow he still felt just as reckless, his pulse kicking up at the thought of Poppy-and memories of everything they shared the night before.

He couldn't get enough of her.

Cooper emerged from the treeline and found the cabin doors thrown wide open to the shore. The light was dimming, but he could see the glow from a couple of lanterns he'd left stacked inside. Poppy was curled up in the old wingback chair with her laptop, just the way he'd imagined her. She was dressed in a sweater and jeans, focused on her screen, deep in thought. She twisted a lock of hair around her fingertips as her lips moved, reading to herself.

"Ahoy there," Cooper called, not wanting to startle her.

She looked up, and a brilliant smile spread across her face. "Hey you," she said, then looked around. "What time is it? It can't be sunset already."

"'Fraid so." Cooper reached her, and leaned in for a kiss. She tilted her head up to meet him, her lips soft and warm, even as the ocean wind whipped around them.

"I swear, I lose track of time completely when I'm writing," Poppy said. "Sometimes I'll get so deep in a chapter I'll surface later and the whole day will be gone."