Poppy
“Don’t you dare go in that house without me,” I warned as I sped along the path, a grocery bag tucked between my legs for secure storage.
“I won’t. I promise. I’m parked right out front. How far away are you?”
“I’m here. One second.” The house came into view, and Luna stood on the porch step. A kid on a bike pulled out from one of the drives, and I slammed on the brakes. The kid waved a hand and smiled, taking off down the street, seemingly unaware I almost wiped him out. I continued at a slower pace into Gabe’s short drive up to the unbelievable oceanfront property which might be my new temporary home. Mind-blowing. I still hadn’t decided if I’d take him up on his offer, but the proposition couldn’t have been more tempting.
“What all have you got in that bag?” Luna asked as I set the parking brake.
She peered into the loaded reusable grocery bag on the seat. “Well, I’m a tagalong, so I wanted to be sure I wasn’t a freeloader.”
“Poppy, you’re not a tagalong. Gabe asked Tate to have me bring you. I told you that.”
“Well, yeah, but…anyway, I brought some flowers I thought might be nice for the table because boys don’t usually think of things like that, and some cupcakes I picked up from the grocery, and some crackers and a few cheeses I thought we could pull out, and some wine. I would have brought some sides, but I didn’t know what we were eating.”
“Jeez, girl. I don’t think you needed to do all that, but I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
We climbed the steps to the front door side by side. Luna’s flip flops slapped the wooden steps with a loud plop. She pushed open the front door without knocking and kicked off her shoes at the door. I followed her in, down the wide foyer, and to the open living area. An old colleague I recognized strode in front of us, carrying a wide platter onto the screened porch.
When she reentered the kitchen, I smiled hello. “Tamara. I didn’t know you'd be here tonight.”
She wiped her brow and pulled at a white apron wrapped around her waist. “I’m here delivering the catering order. Shelley said she’d tip me fifty dollars extra if I get it all set up. Do you think that looks nice?” She waved her arm at the outdoor dining table. She’d lit candles all along the center table and set up a buffet table with enough food for easily twenty-five people. “He decided against having a bartender for tonight, but I did set up a few of our cocktail mixes at the bar station. Am I forgetting anything? Does this look okay to you? I’ve got to get back.” She glanced at her watch. “Jean can’t hold down both of our sections.”
“I think it looks fantastic. You go. I can do whatever else needs to be done.”
“Let me go make sure Mr. Chesterton’s okay with everything. I need him to sign, too.”
She stepped through the sliding doors onto the deck. Luna and I gaped at each other.
“Luna! How many people are coming? Am I dressed okay?” I wore a long sundress but paired it with flip flops. I’d done my hair and make-up, obviously, but this was insane. Based on the matching navy tablecloths and napkins, it looked like he’d rented items from party planners. Upon closer examination, he’d definitely rented. I recognized the silverware. I’d worked a ton of wedding functions and set up a similar bar station myself countless times.
Luna spun around in a circle, as stunned as I was, speechless.
Gabe, Tate, and another guy strode in through the sliding glass doors. I searched for a place to stash my bag, which now felt wildly inappropriate. Gabe swiftly bypassed Luna to greet me.
“Hey. I’m glad you could make it.” He brushed his lips across my cheek. Luna didn’t seem to notice since she was absorbed by Tate.
“I brought some stuff. For dinner.” I held the grocery bag up to him. “But it doesn’t look like you need it.”
“You’re sweet.” He lifted the bag and handed it over to Tamara. “Would you mind setting this stuff out before you go? Thanks.”
“Oh, I can get it. She’s got to run. You probably don’t even need what I brought, anyway.” Tamara glanced between us. “Seriously, go, girl.” Jean could handle her own weight, but even the most skilled waitress wasn’t a magician. There was a limit to how many tables an individual person could cover.
Gabe’s arm circled my waist as I fussed with the flower arrangement. “Those are nice. Thank you for bringing them.”
“They don’t really go with the nautical theme you have going. I love the candles floating in water.” I pointed at several of the glass dishes set about the room with lit candles. The rental place used these in some of the weddings I’d worked. I scanned the outside deck, searching to see who else was here and what they were wearing while cursing myself for not asking more questions before agreeing to come over.
“Shelley did it all. I asked her to make it look nice. I told her someone special was coming over.”
“Who all is coming over? Am I dressed—”
“You. You’re the someone special.”
I paused and looked beyond him to the set table. Five place settings. He did all this for five friends getting together?
“I don’t understand.” His fingers lightly brushed my arm, and when I looked up, all I could see were those forest green eyes.
“It’s our second date. I wanted to make a good impression.”
“On me?” I pointed at myself, clearly slow on the uptake.
“Well, I’m definitely not trying to impress Reed.” He snorted at his own joke, and the man in question walked up and thrust his hand out to me.
“Hi. I’m Reed. I’m one of your fans.”
The oxygen seeped out of my lungs. The whole room spun into vertigo.
“Jesus, Reed. Back the fuck off.” Gabe’s tone broached no room for argument.
The two men glared at each other, and I gathered my wits.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry. I’ve just never met someone who was also a subscriber. I assume that’s what you mean?” Lordy, how mortifying if he was referring to something other than OnlyFans.
“I heard about you through Gabe. I like your work.” The grin on his face struck me as more of a leer. The guy definitely knew about OnlyFans. His gaze tracked to my breasts and remained south of my face.
The room blurred, and I focused on breathing in and out.
“I work with Reed. He saw your profile on my computer one day at work.” Gabe sounded apologetic.
“Thank you for the referral.” I plastered on my most professional expression. A decade in the hospitality industry provided the experience needed to deal with all kinds of people.
Tate and Luna joined us, and I slipped into the background. Present, but not a part of the conversation. Reed continued to leer at me as if I was on the menu. It reminded me too much of Ben and what he clearly expected me to do at his bachelor party for all his friends. As if because I sell photos I’m expected to also be the entertainment in any social situation. As if I wasn’t a person but an item for sale, in any situation.
I sat beside Gabe, across from Luna and Tate. Reed sat at the head of the table. His knee brushed mine once, and I inched my chair closer to Gabe. Gabe’s leg brushed mine repeatedly, but without the same repulsive reaction I had with Reed. I inched closer to Gabe until our knees were aligned. As the conversation flowed, I relaxed somewhat and found it easier to breathe.
The conversation buzzed, mostly between the three men. I half-listened and deflected concerned expressions from Luna.
Gabe’s posture tensed, and I tuned in to Reed’s words. He was talking about the stock market and financial metrics.
“I told the guys you’re probably down here playing the market. It’s not like you need Belman. Are you raking it in?”
“I’m focusing on the case. Per Belman’s request.”
“You have lawyers. That can’t be taking up all your time.”
“You’d be surprised how many meetings a team of hourly paid lawyers needs.”
Tate remained silent, but I noticed his attention fell solely on Gabe.
“Caroline’s been concerned. She told me she wants to come down here. Make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m good.”
Tate spoke up. “He is. He stays busy. Surfing, hang gliding, windsurfing, paddle boarding—you name it, the guy does it.”
“We should go surfing in Hawaii. Those waves are killer.”
Gabe cut his eyes at Reed. “Those waves would kill you.”
“They have smaller waves. It’s not all mega waves.”
“Yes, but that’s what you’re thinking of when you want to fly out there. And you don’t start on those waves.”
“Maybe I’m better than you think, ever thought about that?”
The conversation evolved into a discussion of the most outlandish locations they’d each gone surfing, or scuba diving, too. Luna and I remained silent, as neither of us had any past trips to contribute to the conversation.
After we finished dinner, I stood to gather the plates.
Gabe reached out for my wrist, and I flinched. “It’s okay,” he said. “I’ve hired someone to come and clean up everything. They’ll be here a little later.”
Cleaning up the dishes for five people required hiring someone? I bit back my response and swallowed. I picked up my empty wine glass and met Luna’s gaze. She looked as out of place as I felt.
“I’m going to get a refill. Does anyone want anything?”
“I’ll follow you. I’m not sure what I want.” Reed stood, and my stomach bottomed out. Through the window I could see the beverage station. I didn’t get a good vibe from Reed, but my destination was right inside the door, so rather than cause a scene, I nodded and led the way.
My hand vibrated as I reached for the wine bottle. Reed came up behind me and touched my upper back. I leaned forward, away from him.
“I’m not sure if you’re working tonight. Or if I should go online to engage your services. I don’t know how you prefer it to work. But I’m definitely interested, and I’d pay well.”
“I don’t do that.” Mortified, I stared straight ahead.
His fingers lightly brushed my breast, and I lurched forward into the table.
The sliding door slid open, and from behind me I heard Gabe. “I think I’m going to go for a margarita on the rocks.”
I set my glass down on the beverage table and rushed for the front door.
“What happened?” Gabe asked Reed.
The door closed behind me before Reed responded. I ran down the steps, and tears slipped down my cheeks. Dumb, silly girl.