“Finance is different.”
“Surely you took similar classes. All business majors do. I wasgoing to be a teacher.”
I raised my eyebrows. I really couldn’t picture her teachingchildren. She’d been really harsh and distant with her daughter, Gigi.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she said with a laugh. “Iactually love children. Stop, I’m serious,” she said with a laugh.
I must have still been making the same face. “I’m sorry. Itjust seemed like Gigi…”
“Annoys me to no end? Well, sometimes. Most people see mewhen they look at her. But she has her father’s eyes. And nose. And I can’thelp but see a cheating scoundrel. I’m going to therapy for that. I don’t wantto resent my daughter the way I resent my ex-husband.”
Wow. That was…a lot. And way more insightful than Iever expected from her.
“But I do love children. And I will do my best to make surenothing happens to Scarlett.”
“Your best? The other day you said you wouldn’t hurt her.”
She shrugged. “Like I just said, I’ll do my best. But I’m notthe one in charge right now. My uncle is.”
“Mr. Pruitt said he didn’t know what I was talking about whenI brought up Scarlett.”
“And who do you believe more? Him or me?”
“Neither.” I’d never trust a thing either of them said.
She smiled. “So you don’t really have much of a choice to goalong with this, Matthew. Speaking of which, I’m going to need something fromyou in return for keeping Scarlett safe.”
Of course she was going to ask for something in return. And Iknew exactly what it was. She’d certainly mentioned my career enough times wheneverI’d seen her.
The waiter dropped off our glasses of champagne and Poppydismissed him with a wave of her hand.
“Perfect timing,” she said and lifted up her champagne flute.
“Poppy…”
“Just hear me out. If we start dating, I think Uncle Richard willbe more likely to step down.”
Dating?!
“Honestly, it’s suffocating with him breathing down my neck. I’mready to take over. And if he thinks we’re going steady, he’ll feel morecomfortable, I know it. Like I said before, he respects you. And your businessis in my weak spot. We’d be the perfect couple in his eyes.”
I laughed. “I’m not going to date you, Poppy.”
She put down her champagne flute. “But, Matthew…” She reachedout and tried to put her hand on top of mine on the table, but I quickly pulledaway. “You don’t have much of a choice,” she said. “Unless you don’t care aboutlittle Scarlett after all?”
I felt like I was holding my breath. Like I’d been holding itfor years. And I had no idea if my lungs knew how to work anymore. Not in thisshitty world where Brooklyn didn’t exist and Poppy held all the cards.
“What do you say?” she said with a smile and lifted her champagneflute again.
My phone buzzed. I looked down at a text from Kennedy:“Actually, if you do happen to want even more food, I have a craving for icecream. I would be 100% okay if you wanted to bring some. Something chocolatey pleaseand thank you.”
It would have made me laugh if it didn’t feel like I wasbeing suffocated.
“Matthew?” Poppy said. “Do we have a deal?”
There was nothing I could say. Maybe being close to her wouldgive me the dirt I needed on Mr. Pruitt. My mind swirled with maybes. But noneof them mattered. They didn’t change what I had to do. I didn’t have a choice. BecauseI’d do anything to keep James and Penny’s daughter safe. “You swear you’ll stayaway from Scarlett? That no one will touch a hair on her head?”
“I promise. She’ll be perfectly safe.”
I lifted my glass. “Is there an end date to this charade?”
“Why? Are you seeing someone?”
I thought about Kennedy. The way it felt to wake up with herhead on my chest and my arms wrapped around her. I wanted that again. It waswrong. I knew that. And yet…I wanted it again tonight. For the first time in 16years, I felt like I was actually ready for another chance. I stared at Poppy. “No,I’m not seeing anyone.” What the hell else could I say?
“Good. That would complicate things. It’s all about the image,but obviously I’m hoping this becomes much more than a charade. Wouldn’t that benice?” She clinked her glass against mine.
I felt like I was going to throw up. I downed my champagne. Thatdid not help.
“Speaking of which, the photographers will be here shortly sowe can get our picture taken for all the tabloids. By this time tomorrow thewhole city will know we’re together. Let’s make sure our meal is placed so itlooks like we’re having a romantic dinner. We have to set the scene. Where isthat dreadful waiter?” She snapped her fingers. “And next time please wearsomething more presentable.”
Chapter 31
Wednesday
I’d finished the bottle of champagne before the photographershad even shown up. I could tell Poppy was mad at me. But I really didn’tfucking care. I’d had a few scotches after she was done pretending to stareaffectionately at me for the cameras. Anyone would have after that ordeal,especially after the awkward few seconds when Poppy had put her lips to mine whilethe cameras flashed. I was pretty sure I’d vomited a little in my mouth. Thiswas a date from hell. And all that seemed to make it better was scotch. Lotsand lots of scotch.
Well, maybe something else would too. Or, someone.
I hit the intercom button outside Kennedy’s place. I smiledremembering all the times I’d snuck into this building back in high school. Itook a few steps backwards to see if I’d still be able to jump and pull downthe fire escape ladder. It was pretty high. But I totally had this. I cracked myneck and stretched my arms. But before I could leap, the door buzzed open. Score!I took the stairs two at a time and felt a little dizzy by the time I reachedKennedy’s floor. I managed to avoid looking at Brooklyn’s apartment door andheaded straight for Kennedy’s.
Before I could knock, Kennedy opened the door.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” I said and then laughed. Iliterally had no
