Rose:He definitely turns her on, that’s for sure.
“Oh my gosh, can you not with that? Barf,” I say, though it’s making me think of teasing Mack when he happens to accidentally make electrician jokes, and I secretly love it.
Rose just laughs.
Noli:Sounds like he’s the shock your system needed, Pops.
Rose:I’ve seriously been afraid the sparks between her and Mack are going to burn The Downer down.
My fingers hover over my keyboard. I’m so used to trying to shut down these sorts of playful conversations amongst my sisters, but in this case, yeah…Mack and I kissed. And yeah, it was beyond wonderful.
Rose:He also left her a bag of seeds on her windshield this morning along with a love note.
Butterflies stir up in my stomach at the thought. It’s been almost a week since we kissed for the first time, and every day, he’s found little ways to show me he’s thinking of me—to make me feel like I am a legitimate princess and all he wants to do is serve me.
I never thought I’d be into the whole fairy-tale thing…mostly because life had other plans for me. But honestly, it’s been the best.
He’s working overtime at his jobsite, and I’ve been putting in long hours at the P&R department, but he continues to show up for me.
The bag of wildflower seeds is just one example.
There’s been iced coffees left on my porch first thing in the morning.
One of Inez’s homemade pastries has magically appeared on my desk every afternoon when I need a pick-me-up.
After the Friday night Cashmere County weekly summer baseball league game, he laid with me in the outfield, talking and looking up at the stars until we got kicked out.
He added crisscross string lights to our half of the deck behind The Downer.
And he left me a long, handwritten note detailing all the things he admires about me under my door.
Rose is right. It was a definite turn-on. And I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Poppy:Nothing’s official between us, but I really like him.
Noli:Awwwwwww
Noli:I hope this means you’re staying in Cashmere Cove. Don’t be an idiot about this, Poppy.
Rose:Co-sign.
Poppy:Watch your mouth, young lady.
Noli: Seriously, Pops. I’m happy for you. I can’t wait to meet Mack!
The thought warms my heart. I want Mack to meet my baby sister too.
Poppy:Come visit soon!
Rose:As a consolation prize, I am also here, and you’ll be able to see me.
“You’re not a consolation prize,” I say out loud to Rose.
“I know.”
I side-eye my middle sister. I’ve been obsessing so much over Noli and how she’s doing down in Pensacola that I’ve sort of taken my eye off Rose.
“You sure?”
