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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

THE GOOD AND THE BAD

POPPY

I take my dress off of the hanger and slide it over my head, then bend my head forward and shake my waves out. When I flip my hair back, I look at the results in the mirror. Marley approved of this dress that I ordered online. It’s a lightweight black sweater dress with flowers embroidered along the hem, and I absolutely love it. She’d approve of the hair too, but I don’t have time to call her and show her. I’ll make sure to take a picture before the night is over.

I wonder if Bowie will be at Twinkle Tales tonight to celebrate Elle’s book release. When I dropped Becca off at his house last night, he’d opened the door wearing a gray T-shirt and jeans. His hair looked like he’d just run his hands through it, and his expression was its usual stoic mask, but there was that flicker of softness in his eyes and a smile when he saw Becca. It shifted to me too, but that was probably just a holdover from seeing Becca…as much as I wanted to think he was glad to see me.

And I feel ridiculous for even feeling that way because I’m not going down that dead end. I’m not. I’m really not.

But seeing him more often…he’s softening me too, slowly wearing those defenses down.

Twinkle Tales is packed to capacity. Fans are buzzing with excitement, clutching copies of Zoey Archer’s latest book. Elle was only able to remain incognito for a relatively short time, but the word is fully out now that the romance author we all adore is Rhodes Archer’s wife. He’s standing near the back like a proud peacock. And Bowie and Becca are standing right next to him, Bowie looking exhausted. I falter when I see the shadows under his eyes.

At the front of the room, Henley adjusts his headphones and taps his mic. “Welcome, everyone, to a very special episode of Huddle with Henley ,” he announces with a grin. “I’m Henley Ward, and I’m happy to say that Zoey Archer,” he emphasizes her name and I’m sure he has to think hard to not say Elle, “is a dear friend of mine and an extremely talented author. Tonight, we’re swapping touchdowns for tropes, and football plays for foreplay?—”

The crowd erupts in laughter and Elle buries her face in her hands.

“Did I get that right?” Henley asks the crowd, focusing on Tru .

She nods, cracking up, as the rest of the women yell an emphatic yes .

“She’s got plenty of research material, Henley,” Rhodes calls out, winking at Elle.

The crowd loves that, of course.

“It’s going to be a long night,” Elle jokes in her mic, and everyone laughs even harder.

Henley clears his throat, trying to maintain some semblance of professionalism. “As I was saying, Zoey’s book, Chasing Sunrise, is already breaking pre-sale records. And lucky for you all, we’re here to dive into her writing process, inspiration, and maybe a little tea about her next book.”

We all clap and cheer as Henley turns to Elle with a grin. “So, E—er, Zoey—what’s the most common misconception people have about writing romance?”

Elle relaxes slightly, tucking her hair behind her ear. She looks gorgeous tonight in a pink dress that perfectly matches her new cover. “Probably that it’s easy. People who don’t read romance assume you just throw in some love scenes, add a little fluff, and call it a day, but creating characters with depth and chemistry…getting that banter feeling right…it takes some work.”

“Speaking of chemistry,” Henley says. “Let’s talk about those spicy scenes.”

He glances at Tru again and I giggle. She must have schooled him on the romance lingo because he is nailing it.

Before Elle can answer, Penn—who’s sitting in the front row—whips out a notebook and a pair of glasses that make him look like Clark Kent. He clicks a pen and poises it over his notebook.

Elle starts laughing. “Penn…what are you doing? ”

“Taking notes,” he says, throwing up his hand. “This is crucial information.”

“For what exactly?” Henley asks, leaning closer to the mic.

“Future endeavors,” Penn replies, earning another round of laughter.

Henley smirks. “Well, you’re all in luck tonight. Zoey’s books are a masterclass in the art of seduction. And from what I can tell from the questions sent in, everyone really wants to know…” He turns to face Elle, who starts fanning her face. “When you write those scenes, do you picture?—”

“She pictures her husband and don’t anyone forget it,” Rhodes says.

The room roars with laughter and Henley leans into it. “Ladies and gentlemen, this episode of Huddle with Henley is brought to you by the phrase, too much information .”

“He’s not wrong,” Elle adds, wiping the corners of her eyes as she tries to pull it together.

The Q&A continues, and my stomach hurts from laughing. Every now and then, I feel eyes on me and look over to find Bowie watching me. He’s laughed a lot tonight too and looks better than I thought. Maybe the lighthearted evening has been exactly what he needed.

As the Q&A comes to a close, Calista explains how the signing process will begin. I see sudden movement out of the corner of my eye and watch as Bowie tries to quietly answer his phone. He takes Becca by the hand and they walk out of the bookstore quickly.

Later, when I’m home and in bed, heart full from such a fun night, I get a text in the group thread with the girls.

Tru

It was such a fun night. I hate it so much that it ended this way for Bowie. He looked like he was finally letting loose for the first time in so long too.

Elle

It’s so sad. I know…it was wonderful to see him laughing. He needed that and then, bam.

Oh no. I get a sick feeling.

What happened?

Tru

I’m so sorry, Poppy! I was going to text you separately to let you know about Bowie’s dad. He passed away tonight.

Oh no.

I stare at the ceiling and then pull up Bowie’s number.

I heard about your dad. I don’t even know what to say except that I’m so sorry for this loss, Bowie.

He doesn’t answer right away. But when he writes back, it’s simple.

Bowie

Thank you, Poppy.

For some reason, those words, along with him saying my name, unmoors me. I shed tears for Bowie and Becca. I’ve picked up on an underlying tension that Bowie carries about his family, especially his dad, and I hate that he has to carry all the feelings that this brings. It’s a different kind of sadness when you lose someone you should be close to but have unresolved issues with…it makes me so grateful that I have a close relationship with my dad and my grandparents. If it wasn’t so late, I’d call them right now. I’ll go see them after work tomorrow. We normally see each other every other week now that I’m in Silver Hills, but now that they’re all getting older, I should make more of an effort to see them every week.

Please let me know if I can do anything. Pickups and drop-offs with Becca, hanging out with her, running errands, food, anything.

Bowie

That’s really kind. I just might take you up on that.

I want to keep texting him, but I leave it at that.