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“You weren’t complaining about the tension when I was hate fucking?—”

Poppy shoves her hand to his mouth and flashes an apologetic smile at Daisy before Johnny steps back into the conversation.

“So, you moved in and immediately decided you wanted to date one of my closest friends?” he asks his twin.

I swallow past the tightness in my throat and cut in, continuing to keep my expression carefully closed off. “Does it matter? You can either approve or not. I don’t really care either way.”

Johnny gasps again, this time with a hand slapping his chest. “You know, I’m the closest thing to a dad that Daisy has. Is this how you’d speak with her father?”

“Yes.”

Daisy’s body shakes with a gentle ring of laughter as she leans against me, back to my chest. The ease of her movements strikes something inside of me. A click of a lock moments before it swings open. On a wild fucking whim, I release the tight grip I have on my control and give in to my impulses.

Winding an arm around her middle, I rest my chin on her shoulder and inhale the sweet scent of her perfume. One by one, I meet the surprised and elated stares of everyone at the table, letting them see some of the truth that lies behind the mask I’ve slipped on.

“Well, I don’t plan on being the one to argue with Bryce on this,” Brody says, a beer pressed to his mouth. “Congrats.”

Poppy holds my gaze, pride and peace amongst the emotions in her eyes. “I don’t think anyone should feel the need to argue.”

“You’re really dating the one person I can’t intimidate?” Johnny asks Daisy, slouching back in the booth.

Daisy turns her head, and I look away from Poppy to stare at her instead. She looks honest, and I wish she weren’t such a natural at this.

It looks too real.

For them and for me.

18

DAISY

“I’ve gotto head back to Toronto next month,” Garrison says after finishing the last few drops of amber liquid that were in his glass.

We’ve been at Peakside for a while now, and thankfully, everyone has moved on to topics that don’t involve me or Bryce. It was quite entertaining to watch Johnny think that for even a second, he’d be able to intimidate her, though. He deserved a chance to flex his brother status.

I already knew everyone here was welcoming and kind, but they’ve proved once again that that quality about them isn’t ever going to change. Similar to the last time I was here before the fake dating agreement, I’ve been included in conversations and given the opportunity to add my two cents to every topic.

It’s nice to feel accepted. Especially by these people.

Poppy rubs her cheek against Garrison’s bicep. She’s been dozing on and off for a few minutes, snuggling close to him while her eyes flutter shut.

Her words are slurred with sleep. “We’ll be gone for a few weeks.”

Bryce grows alert beneath me, like this is news to her. Thearm that hasn’t moved from its original place around my middle stiffens, tightening slightly.

“Why?” she asks cooly.

Poppy blinks open her eyes and frowns. “Swift Edge needs him there in person for a few things.”

“Okay. Like what? Why do you have to go with him?”

“Because I’m clingy as fuck, Ice. That’s not news.”

Garrison, seeming to feel the same sharp tension growing between them that I do, adjusts his position in his seat and interrupts their discussion.

“I asked her to come with me. I don’t like to be separated from Poppy longer than absolutely necessary. If I didn’t have to leave, I wouldn’t. The reasons behind my requested presence are not negotiable.”

Bryce laughs deeply. It’s a cold, empty noise. “Don’t use your CEO tone with me.”