to think. Or do. I don’t know what we’re doing. Is this just a sex thing, or is it more? I don’t know if I’m setting myself up for heartbreak, and if that happens, I’m done with relationships and love. I’ll be that weird old lady with ten dogs and fifteen cats that everyone talks about.”
“That will never happen,” Blue said.
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re allergic to cats.”
“Oh. Right. Well, that leaves more room for dogs, then.”
Blue was silent for a few seconds. “You guys have history, and history usually complicates things. That could be good or really bad. But, sweetie, you’re not sixteen anymore. You’re a grown-ass woman who’s calling the shots. If you want to have a sex thing with a man who can ring your bell better than anyone else, do it. But if you want more, if you want an actual relationship, you need to talk about that, and I’d do it sooner rather than later, because all that history and emotion will muddle things. You have to know where he stands, and you have to know what you want.” She winked. “More importantly, you have to know what you’re willing to accept. I know he’s just out of a marriage, so he might not be ready for a relationship. And he’s got a son. Are you okay with that?”
“I don’t know,” Poppy slowly replied. “This all happened so fast, we haven’t talked about any of this stuff. All we’ve done is have sex. Lots of really, really good sex.”
“Tonight’s a date, though. So that’s different.”
“I guess.” Poppy nodded. “It was his idea.”
“Good.” Blue’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t have sex with him tonight.”
Surprised, she didn’t know how to respond. “What?” she asked.
“You heard me. Have a great dinner. Talk to him about whatever…the weather, the Yankees, the damn winter festival, for all I care. But don’t have sex with him. Let him know it’s not about that.” She leaned forward. “Unless it is. Then you can bang him into tomorrow.” She winked again. “And tell me all about it over a bottle of wine.”
“Oh my God, you’re bad.” Poppy chuckled.
“Go home so you have a lot of time to get ready, and I’ll lock up at five.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Blue sailed past her. “Now go.”
Poppy didn’t hesitate. She ran to the back, grabbed her cell phone and purse, then hopped on her bike and pedaled like a crazy person. By the time she made it to her place, she was hot and sweaty and more than ready to sink into a bubble bath and relax.
While she ran her bath, Mabel sniffed frantically outside for at least a full minute until she found the perfect spot to pee (which just so happened to be same spot as every single time before) and then came in and flopped on the floor beside the tub to keep Poppy company. Poppy soaked for a good twenty minutes, washed her hair, shaved all the parts that needed to be shaved, then grabbed the tub of expensive body lotion she only used on special occasions.
Sex with Boone would count as a special occasion.
Unless she didn’t have sex with him.
“Stop it,” she muttered, deciding not to think about anything other than the fact that he was taking her out for dinner. She worked in the lotion until her skin was soft and silky, then glanced at her closet.
Boone hadn’t told her where they were going, so she opted for a simple pale yellow summer dress. It was a halter with a fitted top that showed off a fair amount of cleavage, then fell straight down to her ankles. The back was daring and sexy and exposed a lot of skin. She wondered if she had the guts to pull it off. She’d left her hair loose to fall in waves down her shoulders and took her time with her makeup. Smokey gray shadow for her eyes and an extra coat of mascara. On her lips, a favorite coral gloss. A simple white-gold chain and matching hoops in her ears completed the outfit.
Poppy stared at herself in the mirror and, in some ways, didn’t recognize the reflection. Blue was right. She did look different. She dabbed a light floral scent behind her ears and was just rummaging for a bag when the doorbell rang, and Mabel started barking like the house was on fire.
With one last glance in the mirror, she slipped into a pair of white sandals and headed for the foyer. She didn’t