Meant to Be (Sweetbriar Cove #1)(81)

"You know what I mean."

"Congratulations." June joined in the celebration. She squeezed Poppy's hand. "Not to take the credit, but I told you a trip away was exactly what you needed."

Poppy laughed. "You didn't know this was going to happen. Did you?" She paused, wondering. June winked, as they were surrounded by well-wishers.

"I'll have to make you blueberry pie for the next book group."

"Does this mean you'll be needing a new construction project?"

"Maybe you could set your next novel here!"

Poppy happily soaked it up. She shot a glance at Cooper, and found him smiling right back. Like it or not, the town had played a part in their relationship from the very beginning, and it was sweet to have them all rooting for success.

"What do you think?" He drew her closer and murmured in her ear. "Regretting your decision yet?"

She laughed. "As long as they learn to knock, we'll be just fine."

"Knock?" Cooper quirked his eyebrow and gave her a wolfish grin. "Baby, they'll be lucky if we answer the door for a week."

He slid his arms around her, and Poppy didn't think she'd ever been happier.

Their story was just getting started.





26





Two Weeks Later . . .





Poppy woke to sunlight streaming in through the windows and the sound of a gull circling over the water. She let out a sleepy yawn. She'd been up late again with Cooper, making up for lost time. Her aunt was on another trip, which meant they'd had the run of the house-and boy, had they made good use of it. She blushed, remembering just what Cooper had done to her on the living room couch, and how his body had felt, that delicious weight pressing her into the cushions.

She rolled over. The bed was empty beside her, but there was a note on the pillow.

Morning, beautiful. Early start next door, come by when you're up.

She got out of bed and went to the window. The house next door was almost complete now, with navy shutters hanging by every window, and a stately front door. Cooper had been working late all week to install all the final touches, but he hadn't let her visit; he said he'd wanted to save it until everything was done. And if his note was anything to go by, that day was finally here.

Her cellphone rang, and Poppy fished it out off the nightstand, smiling when she saw the caller ID.



       
         
       
        

"Hey Summer! All set for your visit?" she asked. Summer's boss at the restaurant had volunteered her to bake for a lavish wedding on the Cape, so she would be driving down tomorrow with all six layers carefully packed in a van.

"If by that, you mean have I spent the past twenty-four hours creating an epic wedding cake from scratch, then the answer is yes." Summer sounded tired. "I swear, I wound up dreaming of little sugar roses. Bags of flour grew legs and started waltzing through my mind."

"I'm sorry. But I promise, you'll have a chance to relax here," Poppy said. "I've planned all kinds of fun stuff for us. It'll be great."

"It's the only plus side to the gig. I can't wait to see you!" Summer exclaimed. "And to meet this Cooper of yours. He hasn't passed my test yet."

"There's a test?"

"You know, does he adore you? Can he provide constant entertainment and copious orgasms? Will he introduce me to other hot, single guys? The usual."

"Yes, yes, and I'm sure. You're going to love him." Poppy smiled, glancing out of the window. "I do."

"Aww, listen to you, all loved up. I'd hate you if you weren't my best friend," Summer said cheerfully. "Anyway, I have to get back to work. Chef Andre is on the warpath, again. Something about the soufflés last night, apparently they weren't airy enough for his highness."

"Quelle horreur!" Poppy laughed. "See you tomorrow. Drive safe!"

She hung up, pleased they would be spending time together soon. It had been surprisingly easy to pack her life in New York away and ship it all out here-she'd found a subletter no problem, and they'd even hired a moving truck for all the books she couldn't bear to leave behind-but putting hours between her and Summer was the one sour note. Still, it was only a short trip away, and she was sure Sweetbriar could tempt her friend out more often-especially now that summer was filling the beaches and bringing a salty tang to the warm breeze.



Poppy dressed in jeans and a light sweatshirt, then poured a Thermos of coffee and headed next door. The front door was open, and when she stepped inside, she found a calm expanse of polished hardwood floors, gleaming honey-gold in the sun. "Hello?" she called.