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36

BRYCE

Darren triesto call me for the third time since we got into Calgary. Shielding my screen from Delaney, I decline again and then shove my phone into the inside pocket of my shorts.

It’s obvious as fuck that he’s not happy I’m spending the day with his ex-girlfriend, but quite frankly, I don’t care. There was no way I was going to tell my girl that her friend couldn’t come when she batted those sky-blue eyes at me and crawled into my lap to beg. And once she kissed me?

Game over.

“This place is gorgeous, Poppy,” Daisy exclaims mid-spin.

The second Beautifully Bold location is somehow better than the first. It’s brighter, with more space and a water heater that doesn’t require a monthly checkup. And Poppy’s here. She’s the best part of the place.

I’m hanging back by a window, letting Daisy fill the silence that followed an awkward chorus of hellos once we arrived.

Poppy and I haven’t spoken much recently. She’s the one person who I’ve always shared almost everything about myself with and who knows the truth about my relationship with Daisy, yet I’ve held back from her out of pure selfishness.

I’m angry with the hours between us and have been taking itout on our friendship. What I’m doing is unfair to the both of us, and I won’t deny that. Still, that doesn’t make it hurt any less or her absence any easier to swallow.

My best friend tightens her ponytail of thick, hazelnut-coloured hair and smiles at Daisy. “Thank you. It’s my love child.”

“When did you dye your hair?” I ask sharply, catching the two women off guard.

Daisy tugs her brows together as Poppy turns to me with a frown and says, “Two weeks ago. I sent a picture to the group chat.”

“I haven’t checked it.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Delaney, who hadn’t moved from her place by the door, shifts enough to glance between the two of us with wide eyes. She’s not a stranger to either of us, but we’ve made her feel that way over the years.

For fuck’s sake, she was always around when we were growing up. Poppy used to refer to her as a sister, always asking Darren when her big sis was going to be coming over. We were quick to release her like a fish we didn’t want to keep on the line once everything went down.

Now she’s here, and having her stare between Poppy and me like she has no idea who we are . . . it hits harder than I was anticipating.

Daisy moves to my side and gazes up at me with warmth and understanding that I doubt I deserve after the mess I’ve made.

I focus on her and let her presence smooth a calming balm over some of my most anxious parts. She doesn’t have to do much more than just stand beside me, offering her silent support, to have me ready to confess the feelings swelling in my chest.

“Can we just talk, Bryce?” Poppy asks. I keep my eyeshooked on Daisy’s. “Please? The class doesn’t start for a half hour.”

“I’ll take Della to get something to drink,” Daisy announces. “Coffee?”

Poppy smiles appreciatively. “There’s a nice smoothie shop about a block away.”

“Got it,” Daisy chimes.

Cupping my cheek, she pushes forward and skims a kiss across my mouth. I chase her lips, but she pulls back before I make contact, already expecting my move.

She drops her voice to a whisper. “Sort this out, Bryce. Don’t miss your chance.”

I hook a finger beneath her chin the moment she makes to move and turn her face toward me. This time when our lips meet, I don’t let her slip away so quickly. I spread them with my tongue and steal a proper taste before tapping her chin and releasing her.

“Don’t be long,” I mumble.

She smiles at me, revealing a flash of white teeth, and I reluctantly let her walk away this time. It’s not until she links her arm through Delaney’s and they disappear out the door that I pull my attention to where Poppy stands watching, her mouth gaping.

“I missed a chapter,” she notes carefully.