The Debt & the Doormat(55)

‘Cheeky bastard!’ I shove him before throwing it on and zipping it up. ‘If you were a real gentlemen you would have offered this to me when we were arriving.’

‘Yeah, but where would the fun in that be?’ he smiles.

I hit him on the arm in response, lingering to feel the dark thick hair on them. When I get in the car I snuggle up against the chair and let the hum of the engine drift me off to sleep.

* * *





‘Poppy.’

I wake up in the car to see Ryan in my face, rubbing my cheek softly with the back of his fingers.

‘We’re home,’ he says, his soft voice overwhelming.

I stretch my arms out in front of me and let him help me out of the car and up to the door. I’m so sleepy that I almost fall asleep against the wall as he fumbles with the key in the door. Once it's open I head straight for my bedroom.

‘Poppy?’ he whispers in the dark so as not to wake anyone.

‘Yeah,’ I whisper back, my eyelids heavy.

‘Thanks for coming today. She loved you.’ His voice is alluring, whether he’s aiming for that or not.

‘I didn’t have much choice,’ I whisper, smiling coyly even though he probably can't see me.

The darkness just seems to add to the electric atmosphere. Only the glare of the streetlight shining through the top window of the door highlights his eyes.

He edges closer and my heart stalls, any chance of breathing gone. He stretches out his hand and places it on my cheek looking deep into my eyes.

‘Well, goodnight,’ he says.

He pecks a kiss on my lips before pulling them away from mine. For two agonising heart beats he doesn’t move. I stare at him, trying to not let him see me shiver from the electric current that just passed through us.

‘Goodnight,’ I whisper, looking into those amazing brown eyes glittering in the darkness, as need, desire and flat out frustration push me over the edge.

Before I have time to reason with myself I close the tiny space between us and peck another quick kiss on his warm, delicious lips.

As I step back and look at his confused expression I wonder whether I’ve done the wrong thing kissing him back. I’ve done it. I’ve completely misread the signals. He’s just being a nice guy. I’m mortified.

‘Well, I’ll see you in the morning,’ he says.

He strokes my cheek and leans in for another kiss, this time lingering his lips on mine for a second too long. He pulls back leaving me cold and alone from his withdrawal and backs away. He continues to stare as he walks up the stairs, both confusion and amusement showing on his face.

I lean against the wall, struggling to take in breaths, more confused than ever.





Chapter 21




Why would he kiss me? I thought he was still going out with Tabitha? Plus, I really don't know if I can trust that he has no feelings for Grace. I’m so confused. Maybe it was just a friendship kiss and I’m just reading too much into it. That bitch would probably be very upset if she knew. I know it's wrong but whenever I picture her crying about it, a smile creeps over my face. Someone needs to bring that bitch down a peg or two anyway. She’s probably still horrified how any man can reject her.

I know her sort; always getting what she wants, whether it be a man or a new car from Daddy. The popular girl from school who always dated the cool guy that everyone wanted and made sure everyone knew about how happy they were, flaunting it in everyone’s faces.

She makes me feel like the same gangly teenager that I was then, all braces and frizzy hair. Where she would have big hair and boobs, I’d have a big spot and bruise from where I’d fallen down the stairs. Again. God I hated school.

I’m still not so delusional to think that Ryan would choose me over her or Tabitha. I mean really, he did just kiss me goodnight. A normal reaction for a friend. I kiss Jazz goodbye all the time and don't bat an eyelid over it. Why was he any different? But I know why. Because he’s a Greek God of a man. All jawline and cheek bones, his scruffy hair falling round his eyes. Oh God, just thinking about him gets me aroused.

It was a bit awkward this morning at breakfast but luckily Grace and Izzy were there too so I was able to just stare at him awkwardly over my Weetabix.

‘Hey Pops, how are you?’ Lilly asks as soon as I get to my desk.

‘OK,’ I say feeling exhausted.

‘God, that really is going to be a big scar,’ she says, grabbing my face for a closer look.

‘Thanks for the support,’ I say sarcastically.

‘You know I love you Pops,’ she smiles.

‘Poppy!’ Victor shouts at the top of his lungs.

Lilly looks horrified and runs off as I scramble for a pen and paper.

‘Poppy!’ he shouts again, frustrated. Shit, he sounds pissed. My stomach starts churning.

‘Hi, sorry I just had to get a pen,’ I say flustered at her door.

‘Why did you book these?’ he asks, hitting a piece of paper in his hand.

‘Your flights? I...thought you told me to?’ I’m trying desperately to un-jumble my thoughts.

‘No I never! Why would I say that!?’ His face is reddening and his stare is turning dangerous.

‘Sorry. I thought you told me to book them,’ I whisper pathetically.

I bloody know he told me to book them, but there's no point in arguing with him. It won't get me anywhere.

‘Well I didn’t!’ he shouts furiously. He puts the paper down and places his hands on his temples. ‘Poppy shut the door,’ he whispers.

Shit. Whispering is never a good sign. I turn round to shut the door and feel the nerves taking over my body.

‘Poppy,’ he says, his voice a malicious whisper.

I hate this voice. It's actually more intimidating than his shouting.

‘When I tell you to book something, I’d like you to book it. But in this occasion, I did not tell you to book it. Do you understand?’ He looks at me as if I’m mentally retarded.

‘Yes, sorry,’ I say swallowing my pride. ‘I just thought you had. My mistake.’

‘Are you calling me a liar?’ he asks aggressively, the vein in his forehead throbbing.

‘No!’ I shout back, too startled to be diplomatic.

‘Good,’ although it sounds anything but OK. ‘You’ll have to just get it sorted.’ He throws the piece of paper in the bin and turns to the window.

‘Sorry...get it sorted?’ I ask, barely looking up.

‘Yes! Ring the airline and get it sorted. This is the last thing I want to hear about it.’ He waves his hands at me. I suppose that means I’m dismissed.

I turn to walk out, feeling completely deflated.

‘Oh, Poppy?’

‘Yes?’

‘Terrible injury on your face there.’

‘Oh yes.’ I pull my hand up to my face instinctively. ‘Just had a small fall.’

‘Well perhaps you should drink less. It looks very bad on the company, me employing someone who could be an extra on Shameless.’

Dick.

‘Goodbye.’

* * *





Two hours later and I’ve rung everyone trying to get it sorted. The travel agent, the airline, even my friend that works for the airline, in a desperate last bid attempt that she could somehow hijack the system. But nothing can be done. The only thing left is to just burst into tears and threaten to kill myself.

‘Damn it! I fucking hate this place,’ I say to myself, a little too loudly.

‘Mind your language please, Poppy,’ Cheryl says, over her computer.

‘Oh fuck off,’ I snap, shaking from the sudden adrenalin running through my veins.

‘Well! There's no need for that!’ She huffs loudly, turning round offended.

‘Sorry! I didn’t mean it. I’m just...having a breakdown.’

‘Oh...right,’ she says, perplexed, but not caring enough to ask. ‘Well your phone went off with a text.’

I reach for my phone and find a text from Jazz.

‘Hey sex pot, Mission for today is to say yes to everything. EVERYTHING! See what new doors it opens for you. Have fun chicken xxx’

For goodness sakes! Why couldn’t her life be a little more stressful? Just a little bit more – I’m sure it would make me feel better about myself. Even when she’s five grand in debt she doesn’t seem to have a care in the world.

‘Hi Poppy,’ Neville says, making me jump. ‘Having a bad day?’

Bless Neville. He’s hardly the best looking or funniest guy in the world but he’s probably the nicest.

‘Yeah, a bit of an understatement actually,’ I cringe.

‘Well...I was kind of wondering...if you’re not too busy.’ His face starts turning a shade of purple and sweat has suddenly appeared on his upper lip.

Oh my God. He’s going to ask me out. Damn it. Why the fuck didn’t I listen to Lilly? She always says you can't be nice to boys without them assuming you fancy them.

‘What?’ I ask quietly, hoping I’m wrong.

He takes a deep breath, seemingly for courage.

‘Would you like to accompany me to lunch today?’

Oh. Lunch. That's not so bad. I have lunch with Lilly every day, no big deal. And I’ve got to say yes to everything anyway.

‘Yes.’

His face lights up as if he’s won the lottery.

‘Great, see you then.’

* * *





‘No, no! I insist on picking this up,’ Neville says, as the waitress places the bill on the table.

‘Are you sure?’ I ask, hoping he won't argue.