Page 37 of The Disasters of Dating (Love Connections #6)

POPPY

It’s those you think you know best who may cause you the most shock today. Realize that you may have been taking them for granted. It’s easy to have hurt feelings when they haven’t let you in on this decision. But remember, just like you, they need to make their own way in the world.

I’m managing the dinner conversation. I like Claire better than Jasmine. I just can’t get a read on that girl. But she definitely makes me glad that I let Paisleigh dress me. I’m fairly certain Jasmine would not appreciate my ‘Poppy style’.

Finally, we finish eating, and Keaton pays the bill. For the whole table. It had to be expensive. I wonder how much money he makes—which is an inappropriate thing to think, right?

When the server brings back his credit card and the receipt, Keaton signs the slip and tucks the card in his wallet. He then scoots out his chair. “This was great, guys.” He stands behind my chair. “But I promised Poppy we would go for ice cream.”

I glance over at him. Does he want to stay with his friends longer? I know he said they were only co-workers. But I don’t want to be the reason that he doesn’t become friends with them because he feels like I want to rush off. “We can do that another time, if you want to stay.”

He gives me a wide-eyed look. “No, I promised ice cream, and we will have ice cream. I’m nothing if not a man of my word.”

I’m not sure what he is trying to tell me.

But when he reaches out and grabs my hand, I hold on.

Perhaps a bit too tightly. I’m so out of my element right now.

I’d felt all kinds of disappointment when he clarified I wasn’t his girlfriend.

Which was the truth, right? I mean, we’ve known each other for two weeks.

A fortnight does not a girlfriend make—at least not outside of a Regency romance.

I like the feel of my hand in his and can barely keep my stomach from jumping. And my knees? It’s that Jello-y feeling again. How can I enjoy this so much and still have so many doubts?

We walk out of the restaurant, and he clears his throat. “Are you still game for ice cream? Or did that experience cement for you that the universe is against us?”

I smile at his reference. “We didn’t have to leave,” I say as I bite my lip. I pull on the leg of my skinny jeans. Or rather, Paisleigh’s skinny jeans. Normally, we can’t wear the same pants. But Paisleigh said she is saving these for when she gets thin again. I’d rolled my eyes at her.

As far as I’m concerned, she can keep the pants. They are the most uncomfortable and confining things I’ve ever worn. I’d wager my Grandma Alice would love them. She’s all about confining and uncomfortable things.

“We didn’t leave because of you. We left because of me.

” He frowns. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even consider if you were having a good time in there.

” He runs a hand through his hair. “I have made one massive mistake after another, haven’t I?

I should never have had you come. But now I’ve dragged you out when you were having an enjoyable time.

” He closes his eyes, and his lips move like he’s chastising himself.

“Seriously, this is like strike two for me, isn’t it? ”

I squeeze his hand, which is still holding mine.

“Hey, you didn’t drag me away from an enjoyable time.

I was worried that you were having fun but thought you had to leave so you could take me for ice cream.

I mean, I like ice cream as much as the next guy.

But I can forego it if you want to stay here and visit with your…

” I trail off, uncertain what to call them.

He looks down at our clasped hands and smiles up at me. “I’m only interested in visiting with you tonight. So if you don’t want ice cream, we can do something else.”

We both laugh and relax at the same time.

“Would you mind too much if we went to my house so I can change into something more comfortable? Then we can figure out what we want to do.”

He nods. “That sounds like a great plan.” He walks around the car and opens my door for me. As he walks around the car, I release a deep breath.

My brain is going a million miles a minute.

He said I wasn’t his girlfriend. But he also said I was the only one he wanted to spend time with.

A smile steals across my face. So I’m not completely sure what I’m hoping for here.

Could Paisleigh be right? Am I afraid of commitment?

I shake my head at the ridiculous thought.

But then I grin. It’s funny that Brenden guy thought I wasn’t real. Does Keaton often make up fake girls?

I smile wider as I realize that Brenden thinking I’m fake means Keaton has mentioned me at work. All of them seemed to know about me—even if everyone but Claire thought I was some figment of Keaton’s imagination. I like the idea that he has mentioned me. Even if not everyone believed it.

Keaton gets in the driver’s seat, and we pull out of the parking lot.

My mind continues churning out thoughts as we pass the Point of the Mountain and drop into the Salt Lake Valley.

Finally, it’s too much for me to compute, and I turn on the radio to drown out my thoughts. I glance at Keaton. “Is that okay?”

He nods. “Sure.” I put it on the eighties station and Duran Duran and The Thompson Twins work to calm my thoughts. Although they can’t completely stop everything swirling about Keaton.

What about them calling him Lincoln? Is it weird that the two men I’ve recently found in my life both have the name Lincoln? Although Lincoln may have made up that name. We weren’t supposed to use real names after all.

“You like eighties music, don’t you?” Keaton finally asks.

“How can you tell?” I ask.

He grins and glances at me. “You know all the words to every song that’s been on.”

“The eighties were my dad’s favorite. We listened to them all the time. I kept listening to them after he died because they reminded me of him. But I guess they sort of won me over in the end.”

He smiles and picks up my hand. “You’ll not get any argument from me. I love most eighties music.”

I squeeze his hand. “I knew I liked you for some reason. It’s because you have good taste.”

He gives me a look. “Yes, yes, I do.”

The traffic is much lighter than when we drove down to American Fork.

Slightly less than thirty minutes later, we pull into the driveway of the only home I’ve ever known.

I’m surprised there aren’t many cars parked on the street.

But maybe everyone carpooled? Are people that are socially conscious about the hungry also socially conscious about the environment?

I wait as he comes around and opens my door. “I’ll be quick.”

He tilts his head to the side and grins. “Will you be braiding your hair also?”

A smile turns the side of my lips, and I raise a brow. “Do you want me to braid my hair?”

His face turns pink. “I like your hair this way, too, but I’ll admit to missing the braids. I can see your face better. And that’s always most desirable.”

My stomach flip flops. How am I having doubts about this guy? Most girls would think he’s perfect. But maybe that’s the problem? What am I not seeing?

I push the thoughts aside and take his hand, pulling him toward the door. “Why don’t you come in, and you can wait in the family room? My mom is having a meeting, but I’d guess they are in the living room. And with my mom occupied, you shouldn’t have to face any embarrassing questions.”

He gives me a side eye. “Are you embarrassed of me?”

I shake my head. “No. I’m embarrassed by the questions she’ll ask you.”

He squeezes my hand lightly and doesn’t pull away, so I stay the course.

I push open the front door and put my finger to my lips. “Shh. Maybe if we’re quiet, she won’t even notice we’ve come and gone.”

He smiles and nods as he walks with a Scooby Doo type of sneaking.

I put a hand over my mouth to quiet my laughter. He looks so goofy. I love that he doesn’t try to hide that side of his personality.

I stop when we get inside. The entryway and front room are nearly dark, as they face the east and the sun is sinking lower in the west. “That’s weird,” I say. “I thought for sure they would be in this room.”

I walk a few more steps, pulling him along behind me. The house is altogether too quiet for a committee meeting to be happening. Pulling him down the hallway, I stop short, and he bumps into my back.

The family room is dark also, but the TV is on. Did the meeting get cancelled? Is my mom having a movie night alone? That’s so sad.

“Wait here a second,” I whisper as I drop Keaton’s hand and I take the last few steps into the family room. “Hey, Mom. Did your meeting get cancelled?” And then I notice two heads pop up above the couch cushions.

“What?” I say.

My mom and some strange guy sit up straight, both of them wiping at their mouths and looking very guilty. Ewww.

I lean over and flick on the lamp, my mouth hanging open. “Mom?”

“Poppy, what are you doing here? I thought you had plans tonight.” There’s a panicked tone to her voice, but she is trying very hard to appear normal and unperturbed.

I blink several times, then focus my gaze on the gentleman nearly sitting on my mom’s lap.

“I do have plans. But these pants of Paisleigh’s are super uncomfortable, so I came home to change before we go do something else.

” I step forward and reach out my hand. “Hi. I’m Poppy.

And you are?” I’m rather impressed with my manners.

I’d have thought they’d be the first thing to flee at a moment like this.

The man pulls his arm out from behind my mom’s shoulders as he stands up. He extends his hand. “Hello, Poppy. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He smiles warmly.

I smirk. “Wish I could say the same.”

“Poppy Alice Ashcombe,” my mom warns. So maybe my manners aren’t completely present.

I look at her, folding my arms. “If we’re using full names, then, Michelle Marie Hayes Ashcombe?”