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CHAPTER FOUR

TRANSPORT ME

POPPY

I don't know why I’ve been so nervous about this wedding. I guess because these people are what I would consider celebrities…in my world, they are. But when I’ve talked to Sadie and everyone, they seem so down-to-earth. I’m sure I’ll be fine.

It was crazy running into Bowie and Becca the other day. Bowie is so hard to read. He isn’t rude, but he’s not warm either. He’s somewhat icy. And apparently, he and his friends are clued in on my attraction to him. I don’t think I’ve flirted with him, but it’s hard not to check him out when he’s in the room. If I run into him, I’ll attempt to play it chill and not give away how hot I think he is.

Oh God. I am so out of my element.

The wedding is in Landmark Mountain, an adorable town about an hour and a half away from Silver Hills. When Sadie called to make sure I knew she wasn’t kidding about my invitation, she said, “Please come. I know Landmark Mountain isn’t convenient, but we just love the town. Weston’s sister lives there and you’ll love her extended family so much. Weston’s brother-in-law’s family owns a lodge and we’ll reserve a room for you after the wedding, so you don’t have to drive back late that night.”

“I have to work late that day, but I’ll be at the wedding,” I’d promised. “And the lodge sounds perfect.”

“Yay, I’m so glad you’re coming,” she’d said, and at the time, I couldn’t wait for this day, but now that it’s happening, I am so nervous .

The drive to Landmark Mountain is beautiful. I’m running so short on time that I did my hair and makeup on a break at work and then I change into my dress in the lodge’s bathroom. I’ll worry about checking in later, the wedding is about to start.

I follow the flowers to a beautiful room with glass ceilings. It is magical. I’m ushered to a seat on the bride’s side and transported into another world. Pink and white flowers are everywhere, white lights and candles creating a sepia-toned mood.

The ceremony is breathtaking and so touching. A little boy, I believe it’s Rhodes’ son, pulls Caleb down the aisle in a white wagon. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Becca looks so pretty in her princess dress, and she can’t stop smiling as she walks down the aisle. Despite how beautiful Weston and Sadie look, it's hard to tear my eyes away from Bowie in his tux. Bowie, Rhodes, Penn, Henley, and another stunning man are all standing up with Weston, and Sadie has Elle, Tru, Calista, and another beautiful friend that I don't recognize. The couple I don’t recognize stare at each other with such love, I think they must be the sister and brother-in-law of Weston’s that Sadie mentioned.

Weddings can be hard as a single woman. I’m sure they’re not difficult for everyone, and if I didn’t want to get married myself, I guess they wouldn’t be for me, but…they are. I long to have that connection with someone. To fall in love and have someone to share all my secrets with…to fall asleep in his arms at night and know that he’ll be there the next morning and the next. I’m not big into dating apps, and with how busy I’ve been with my job, it’s been hard to find time to date. I’m still busy with work, but now that I’m in Silver Hills, my evenings are freer. It’s not like Silver Hills is overflowing with single men who want to date me though.

The one man I’ve met that I’d be interested in getting to know better is way out of my league…and completely uninterested in me.

When the wedding is over, I wander into the section designated for the reception and look for my table number. As soon as I find it, I walk to the table. No one else is there yet. I turn to look around and Bowie is standing there, staring at me.

The way he looks me over makes me think maybe he likes what he sees, until his eyes meet mine and he frowns.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” he says.

“Yeah, I was so surprised to get an invite! I met Sadie at Twinkle Tales a couple of months ago and then reconnected at the signing…then ran into her again at The Fairy Hut and sh e was kind enough to extend an invitation.” I run out of air and take a deep breath.

What is it about this man that makes me even more awkward than I already am?

“Hmm,” he says.

“Hmm,” I repeat.

He turns and walks away and I can't help but be hurt that the guy doesn't seem to like me very much. It’s like I actually bother him. I’m not sure why…I’m a nice person.

Elle, Rhodes, and the little boy I noticed earlier walk up and then Henley and Tru. Both girls give me big hugs.

“It's so good to see you, Poppy. I'm so glad you made it,” Elle says.

“Thank you. Me too,” I say.

“I’m not sure if you’ve met Levi yet,” Elle says.

“No, I haven’t.” I smile at Levi and he gives me a wide smile. The little boy is too cute for words.

“Levi, this is Poppy.”

“Hi, Poppy!” he says.

“You did such a good job in the wedding,” I tell him.

“I pulled that heavy wagon,” he says proudly.

“You were amazing.”

I look around to see if Bowie's still close by. I hope I didn’t run him off. Maybe after all that talk about flirting, he thought I was hunting him down.

I don't spot him right away, but then I see him talking to Sadie and Weston and Sadie's laughing. Bowie doesn’t look as happy and walks away. Wow, he’s intense.

I'm introduced to Henley and then Penn when he walks up. Penn is all charm.

“You look lovely tonight,” he says after the introductions are made.

“Thank you,” I manage to get out .

These football players are even better looking in person than on TV. I feel a little starstruck in their presence. They’re also all far more agreeable than Bowie Fox.

“Looks like we're sitting together,” Elle says. “Where's Bowie?”

“I saw him for a second, but he left. I don't think he liked that I’m sitting here very much.”

“Oh, you're here for Bowie?” Penn asks. “Damn.”

I laugh. “No, I'm not here for Bowie. I was just invited by Sadie.”

Penn nods, his grin deepening, and he and the guys exchange a look.

Rhodes chuckles. “We're really glad you're here, Poppy. Don't mind Bowie. Sometimes he's more bark than bite. But trust me, get him on the dance floor, and he won't be so grumpy.”

“Ah, so that’s the secret?” I ask, laughing.

We all sit down.

Sadie and Weston are at the next table with her parents and his parents. Little Caleb sits next to Weston.

“They are such a cute couple,” I say.

“Aren't they?” Tru says.

“The wedding was beautiful. You all look gorgeous,” I say.

“So do you,” Elle says.

“Thank you.” I smile at her and then see Bowie out of the corner of my eye. He’s leaning over Becca. She’s at a table with Henley’s girls and a boy that looks about ten or eleven.

“Sam is feeling a little too cocky after his first kiss,” Penn says. “Look at him over there trying to impress Cassidy.”

We all look at the table where the girls are sitting.

“Sam is the boy sitting over there,” Tru says, pointing to the table. “Penn met him while tutoring and now we’re all attached to him.”

I want to ask more about Sam, but Bowie chooses that moment to come back to the table and all the air is sucked out of my lungs. He sits in the only open chair, which is next to me. He smells like pine and a Jolly Rancher, and when he sets an empty wrapper on the table, I understand why.

He’s far more relaxed than he was when it was just me, easing into conversation quickly with the guys while I talk to Elle and Tru. We eat and I’m aware of every time Bowie’s elbow or shoulder brushes against mine. The man is so tall and built. All of the players are, and even though I’m five nine, I feel tiny compared to Bowie.

Rhodes has brought me back a drink every time he goes to get one for Elle, and I haven’t had a cocktail in so long. My inhibitions fade as I get more liquid courage. Weston and Sadie have their first dance and it’s so beautiful, I almost cry. Then Weston dances with his mom and Sadie dances with her dad and I’m not the only one sniffling at the table.

“Are we ready to do this?” I hear Penn ask.

The next thing I know, all the guys are standing up and walking to the dance floor.

“Do you know what they’ve got planned?” Tru asks Elle.

“No idea,” Elle says.

Weston leads Sadie to a chair on the edge of a dance floor and then walks out with the rest of the guys. They’ve all taken their jackets off and the sight of all five men strutting out to stand in the middle of the floor is a sight to behold. When “I’m a Slave 4 U” comes over the speaker, Elle and Tru crack up.

“Oh, God, this is gonna be so good,” Tru says.

When they start moving, Elle whistles. “They are making me so proud right now.” She laughs .

I can’t speak because I’m too caught up in watching Bowie shake his hips and do pelvic thrusts that make my cheeks heat. He’s good! They all are. But I’m shocked the ice man can let loose like this.

Weston ends up on his knees in front of Sadie, who is laughing her head off as she fans her face. The room erupts in applause and then everyone starts moving toward the dance floor.

“Ready to dance?” Tru asks.

“What? Now?” I ask. I enjoy dancing, but I don’t feel like I’m especially great at it.

Tru laughs. “Yes, come on. It’ll be fun.”

I finish my drink and follow her and Elle, still pinching myself that I’m even here.