“I am not.”
I give him a disbelieving snort, but it’s pointless to argue. He’s Holland. He’s not going to see that he’s in the wrong, no matter what I say. “Look, you asked me to be her friend, and that’s what I’ve done.”
“That’s all?”
I hate the way his voice is laced with disbelief. I tighten my fists and release them. “That’s all.”
We’re in the middle of a stare-down when Poppy appears behind Holland.
“You ready?” she asks, glancing between us.
I clear my face of any expression that might give away the tornado of emotions that’s swirling inside my chest.
Holland blinks and looks down at her. “Absolutely. Let’s go.”
He puts his arm around her shoulder and tucks her to his side.
I watch them go long enough to see her rest her head against his bicep, and the blast of jealousy in my chest rattles my sternum like a grenade. I turn to the bartender.
“Another shot.”
17
A Trick of the Camera
Poppy
Hollandinsistedupontakingme from the wedding and showing me the view from the rocky edifice overlooking Wool Beach. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d been there with Mack and his friends.
We’re another half hour before we arrive back at The Downer.
He hops out of his side of the car and jogs around the front to open my door for me. It’s a nice gesture. He means well. I know that. But I also know what I’m going to do next.
I step out onto the driveway and am blinded by headlights.
A car pulls into the spot adjacent to where Holland is dropping me off.
Mack gets out of the back. He must’ve Ubered home.
He slams the door, glances at us, looks away, and strolls up to his half of the duplex, disappearing inside before I can get any words out. I’m not sure what I want to say. I’ve already thanked him for a fun night.
Not only did he save me from Cousin Albert’s clutches, but Mack kept me laughing and with a wine glass in hand. I had so much fun I almost forgot that I was at a wedding with a boyfriend who wasn’t paying me any attention—the same boyfriend whom I need to break up with.
Whoa boy. If given the choice, I might let Cousin Albert have his way with me now, if only to prolong the inevitable.
But no. I can do this. I square my shoulders when Holland and I reach my front door and remind myself that I’m wearing fancy underwear.
“Look, Poppy. I’m sorry I was so distracted tonight. It’s just my first time back in town. Lots of people want to hear what I’ve been up to…” Holland trails off when I put a hand on his chest.
“I don’t think this thing is going to work between us.”
Holland flinches, but I plow ahead.
“I think you’re great. I mean, you’re a star, Holland. You truly are. You’re going to do amazing things, but this”—I gesture to him and then me—“isn’t right.”
“Is this because I left you alone at the wedding? Is Mack right?”
I feel my brow crease. “Mack?”
