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“No,” I said, rubbing my forehead. “But I don’t need Aiden’s charity.”
“Doesn’t sound like charity to me,” Poppy said, grabbing the icing bag again. “You’d be helping each other.”
“He only bought it because I need a place to live.”
“Sure, he did,” Poppy said with a laugh. “Aiden is growing on me, but I doubt he’d buy a freaking house just because he’s worried you might have to sleep in Max’s guestroom a few weeks.”
“He mentioned maybe selling it to you after it’s fixed up,” Rowan said, throwing herself into the conversation now that Poppy was clearly on her side. “Assuming Theo doesn’t want to buy it.”
“I’m not buying anything,” I said.
“Shut the fuck up,” Poppy said, her eyes wide. “Aiden did not say that.”
“He did,” Rowan said, bouncing on her feet.
Poppy slammed down the icing bag. Finally, someone other than me realized how idiotic this entire plan was. “Rowan, you know how I feel about getting my hopes up,” she said, pointing her finger at her sister. “Now I’m imagining all my future little nieces and nephews darting to Aunt Poppy’s house whenever they want. Do not dream dangle.”
“I swear on my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. Aiden’s offer was just accepted. Cal and I went to see the whole house today. It’ll becute as a button after a little cosmetic work. I bet you could pick out all the finishes. Theo, back me up.”
I nodded.
Poppy let out a squeal and threw her arms around me. I patted her awkwardly on the back and stepped away as soon as I could. No way could I take anything from Poppy. If someone other than me rented the house, she wouldn’t be able to plan the remodel the way she wanted since no other renter would let her in and out of the space anytime she liked. She looked up at me and frowned.
“Aiden didn’t talk to you before he put in the offer?”
“No,” I said, gripping the table to keep from reaching for her. Each time she read one of my silences correctly, I ached to hold her, to show her how she made me feel not only seen but understood. “I haven’t even seen the place.”
“Ok, that was a dick move,” she said. “But honestly, it sounds like a decent solution to your problem, and I’m not just saying that because selfishly I want to live next door to my sister but can’t afford it right now.”
I blew out a breath. “You’re right.”
“Yes!” Poppy and Rowan screamed. Thankfully this time they hugged each other.
Rowan’s cell started ringing on the counter at the same time mine vibrated in my pocket.
“Oh shoot,” Rowan said, fumbling for her phone. “I forgot to call Cal. Do you want to give him the good news or should I?”
Chapter nine
Poppy
“Be brutally honest,” Rowansaid, pressing her palms on the dining room table.
Theo picked up a piece of baklava and studied it before taking a bite. He closed his eyes and let out a soft moan, and thank the stars Rowan made me put on this sweater because there was no way my nipples were calming down before he opened his eyes.
I may or may not have suggested the baklava to my sister. Theo seemed so nostalgic this morning, and I thought maybe he’d like a taste of something from his childhood. If I’d known how hot he’d look eating a pastry, I might have spared myself.
“It’s delicious,” he said, licking a drop of honey from his full lips.
“Of course it is,” I said. “Rowan threw out two batches before this one. She wasn’t going to let you try anything that wasn’t amazing.”
“Be honest though,” Rowan said. “Does it taste like what you’ve had in Greece?”
“Close,” he said, putting the rest of the piece in his mouth and chewing it slowly. “It’s a little too sweet. Did you use lemon or orange zest?”
“Neither,” Rowan said, frowning.
I picked up a piece and shoved it in my mouth. My sister did the same.