10. Poppy

TEN

POPPY

"So tell us all the dirty details about being down at the station!" I say and lean in ready to hear all the secrets.

"It's really not as exciting as you think," Jace replies. "Our chief is a pretty laid back guy and depending on who's on shift together, it's usually just everyone hanging out watching whatever game is on."

"Most days Chief Donnelly hides in his office until the shit hits the fan." Maddox adds.

"Why doesn't he mingle with you all?"

"He used to be more fun. My dad was in the firehouse for about six years before he joined. He said he was always the life of the party and the guys always went to him for advice. It's how he ended up being one of the youngest chiefs at the department. He knows how to take care of his guys," Maddox explains.

"No wife?" I ask.

"I love this story though it's heartbreaking." Marigold places her elbow on the table and leans her chin on her hand.

"What happened?" I lean in closer to Marigold.

"Stop gossiping about the guy. Those stories are all fabricated," Maddox comments before taking a sip of his margarita .

"I don't think so. Why do you think your dad always says he used to be fun? It's because his heart left when his girl did."

"What girl?" I ask impatiently.

Marigold sits up straight. "I think her name was Madison, or Mackenzie, something with an M." She waves her hands dismissively. "But anyway, the summer months are always busier here in Love Beach because of the influx of tourists. So the hospital is busier too. They would utilize traveling nurses to come in for a month at a time, work, then they're shipped off to another hospital that needs them. The stories I've heard had them falling in love at first sight. But unfortunately when her time was up here in Love Beach, she chose to go despite him begging her to stay. She said she loved him, but loved her job too. She was young and wanted to see the world before being tied down."

"That is not what happened," Maddox cuts her off and I chuckle at his exasperation. "I heard the guy was burned badly in a fire when he was a kid and only has one ball. No woman wants that."

Jace huffed a laugh. "You're so stupid, Maddox."

He sits back with a satisfied grin. "Do you see how ridiculous it all is? Leave the guy alone. The real excitement only happens when you walk through the door, Poppy. Then it gets rowdy." Maddox looks pointedly at me and Marigold bumps his shoulder.

"Are you calling my cousin wild?" Marigold asks in a faux perturbed tone.

Maddox sits back, with a smug grin and crosses his arms. "I'm just saying, when she walks in everyone takes notice." He throws a thumb my way. "Especially this guy."

Jace returns his stare with the same smug grin. But his jaw ticks and I know the two of them have spoken about me.

"I like the sugar she brings." Jace throws his arm onto the back of my chair and leans back. I shoot my cousin a wide eyed look and bite my bottom lip. This guy ain't just a guy—he's a fucking man. And I am loving that I am seeing a different side of his personality.

"Poppy, come with me to the restroom. Then we'll order another round of drinks on our way back," Marigold suggests and I stand with her.

"Don't miss me too much," I stand and whisper in Jace's ear. As I turn, I feel his fingers wiggle against the back of my thighs. I roll my lips in and follow my cousin. Once inside the bathroom, I fake faint against the wall.

"Mari!" I throw my hand over my eyes. "I think I'm in love!" She giggles at my antics.

"He's really into you. Like, it's so clear. You guys make the most gorgeous couple. You know who he reminds me of? Rip from Yellowstone—he's always in control of himself and his surroundings but I bet he'd fucking tear up the bedroom!"

I squeal. "Oh my god! Right? I never thought of that. I thought him to be shy but that's not the right word. He's very unmoved. But when it's just us? His exterior breaks down." I grab her hand and pull her close, catching our reflections in the mirror. We look like two giddy teenagers. "He kissed me when he picked me up!"

"He did? Why didn't you lead with that?!" she yells at me.

"Because I was trying to keep calm. It felt different." I let out a breath. " So different. Is it weird? Is it just because it's new and he's new and this place is new and he's young and?—"

"You're spiraling. Stop." She grabs my shoulders, steadying me. "You're having fun, which I know you haven't had in a long time. You've met someone who likes you for you and it's definitely exciting. You're allowed to have all the big feelings you are having. Jace is a good guy. If he was just one of the playboys from the fire house, I wouldn't be here on a double date with you. Trust how you feel around him, and trust that I won't let anything bad happen to you."

I hug her, pushing back the tears that are threatening to fall. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, let's go get a drink, dance a little and tease our men. What do you say?"

"Let's do it!"

We approach our table intending to pass right by, shaking our hips as we go, but Jace reaches out quickly grabbing my wrist. He spins me back to him and is standing before I even realized it was him. With his hand on my waist and his other still holding my wrist, he says, "I've already ordered another round."

I'm breathless when I reply, "okay" and when I try to step away he holds me tight.

"You're killing me, you know that?"

I look at him. "You look pretty alive to me."

"I need you to know my outside doesn't match my inside right now and I'm on a short string. But I'm going to be respectful and do what's expected of me in public." He kisses my forehead. "Your cousin is looking for you." He nods his head towards where Marigold is standing by the dancefloor, breaking all contact and stepping away from me, joining Maddox at the table.

I feel like I've been tossed into a whirlwind but with a smile on my face, I walk towards my cousin. We take each other's hands and join the other people on the dance floor. Luke Bryan comes across the speakers telling us to M.O.V.E. and we do just that, getting lost in the fun of the night.