9. Jace

NINE

JACE

Me: 911

Vienna: Where's the fire?

Me: very funny.

Me: I'm serious.

Vienna: Where are you?

Me: meet me at Love beach brews?

Vienna: Be there in twenty

It's eleven in the morning and I just got off shift. I should go home and sleep before going out tonight but I'm so on edge I need someone to talk to. I'm already seated at the far end of the bar when Vienna walks in. She spots me immediately and comes right over actively ignoring the two men behind the bar.

"I already ordered you a Sazerac and?—"

"Jace! It's not even noon!"

"Jimmy Buffet tells me it's five o'clock somewhere. Plus Wells shot me a death stare when I asked for it so that was fun. I take it he's made it for you a time or two?"

"We're not here for my drama. We're here for yours. Stop deflecting and tell me what's going on?" She sits next to me and turns to face me. I'm thankful for her friendship. This is something I need a woman's perspective on and I know she'll be honest with me.

"I asked Poppy to the fire department's Christmas dance."

"And?" she deadpans.

"And? Now what? What am I supposed to do?" I raise my voice with each question.

"Um, you get a suit and buy her flowers. And make sure you have condoms," she adds cheekily.

"V! Condoms! What the fuck?" I draw the attention of both Isaac and Wells from behind the bar. Wells looks like a spitting bull and Isaac has a shit eating grin on his face as he looks on. I nod my head to the side and raise a brow at her. "Looks like your boy toy isn't too fond of condoms."

"Ignore him." She rolls her eyes. "Seriously, why is this an issue? I've never seen you on edge about anything."

"I don't really know why it's an issue. Maybe I'm just concerned she won't like me. She'll figure out I'm too boring for her way of life."

She searches my face before asking, "You really like her don't you?"

"I do. And I don't know much about her so the fact that I do, makes me question why," I confess my thoughts to her. The whole situation makes me question my own damn sanity, honestly.

"Sometimes it's just the connection, Jace. The universe knows who you belong to even if you're not sure." She finishes her drink and stands. "I heard you have a date tonight. You better get home and sleep. I have a feeling you may be up all night." She winks at me before tossing a glare Wells' way and it makes me chuckle.

Thankfully the beer I had earlier with Vienna helped me to relax and I was able to pass out for a few hours when I got home. I showered, making sure to take care of myself twice so that I wasn't sitting on edge next to Poppy all night. I'm dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with a button down open over it, a bit of cologne and I'm out the door.

Poppy sent me her location so I could pick her up. As soon as I arrive, she's already outside and heads straight for my truck. I jump out quickly telling her to stop.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

She pulls up short, brows pinched downward. Her simple, yet stunning nude color dress swings freely giving the illusion she isn't wearing anything at all. It makes me do a two step as I jump the curb to get to her.

"I'm walking to your truck. Unless you've changed your mind about tonight?" She crosses her arms in front of her chest.

I stop in front of her, hands on my hips. "No, I didn't change my mind Miss James, but need I remind you, again , I was brought up with manners so if someone saw you climbing into my truck unassisted it would not be a good look for me." I step closer and put out my hand. "So put away the feisty attitude and get your fine ass into my truck."

She raises a brow and looks like she's about to say something but instead places her hand in mine and we walk to the passenger side door. I open it, allowing her room to step on the running board and get in. "Why thank you, Mr. Sullivan. Your momma sure did raise a gentleman." I stand beside the door and when all she does is stare back I use the opportunity to touch her. I can't let it go by. I pull the seat belt and lean over her, keeping my eyes on hers the entire time and snap it into place. But instead of stepping back and closing the door like the gentleman she thinks I am, I can't help the words that come out next.

"I need to do something before we pull away and start our night. I need to know." My eyes drop to her lips then back to her eyes.

"What are you asking me, Jace?" she whispers.

"Can I kiss you, Poppy?"

"I just may die if you don't."

My lips turn up into a smile. "So dramatic," I tease her and lean in, softly brushing my lips over hers. The first touch has every hair on my body at full attention. My hands stay planted on the seat but when she lightly brushes her thumb across my cheek, I deepen the kiss. The air around us seems to get sucked away and I pull back with a gasp.

"Wow," I whisper the word, not able to explain the feeling I have.

"Yeah, wow." I watch as her eyes that were still shut flutter open and a small grin appears.

"That felt…" My words linger because I don't think there's a word for exactly what just happened.

"It felt like… finally," she breathes out. I lay my forehead against hers and I have to agree.

The tenderness between us is a stark contrast to the usual banter and it makes me think that maybe our opposites aren't so opposite after all.

We pull into the lot behind Love Beach Brews and this time she sits patiently waiting for me to come around to her side and help her out. As she climbs down, I whisper, "good girl" in her ear and the blush that takes over her skin, has me feeling ten feet tall .

We walk hand in hand through the entrance of the bar. The place is packed but I notice Maddox instantly. Him and Marigold are sitting at a table towards the back. We weave our way around the other patrons and approach the table.

"I'm so excited to see you both!" Marigold jumps up and hugs Poppy, before giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Looking good Sully." She winks.

Maddox kisses Poppy on the cheek and then claps hands with me, pulling me in close. "You clean up well, probie. Nice touch on the door to door delivery." He smirks at his own joke.

We're seated as Wells appears at our table and I do my best to be nice to the guy. Vienna is close to falling completely for him, I can sense it by what she's been telling me. Plus she loves his kid. I'm still not liking the fact he kept her hidden. It only makes me wonder what other secrets are out there.

"We already ordered margaritas if you guys want to join in," Marigold says.

"Ooh! That sounds fun! I want one, too." Poppy does a little shimmy in her chair and I chuckle to myself.

"You're always so excited over little things, Pop. Is that why you like Jace?" Maddox teases her.

Wells lets out a guffaw and I shoot him a look. "I'll take one, too. With salt. I like to lick the rim."

It's like a record scratch just shut the place down until Maddox slams his palm on the table and bursts out laughing. "Probie! Looks like you're not so quiet after all!" He carries on for a moment while I hold Wells' stare until he turns and walks away.

"What's with you and Wells?" Marigold pries.

I shake my head. "You can ask Vienna about the details. It's not my story to tell."

"It's it because of his age?" Maddox asks .

"It's nothing to do with his age. He could be eighty and I'd give him the same warnings."

"You're the ultimate protector, aren't you?"

I shrug, dismissing Poppy's comment. "I'm not a protector, I just look out for those important to me."

"Like making sure I was wearing my seatbelt?"

I smirk. "Exactly like that."