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That got his attention. He looked up and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “I’m listening.”
“My feelings for Poppy aren’t platonic.”
Aries laughed, sharp and loud. “No shit,” he said, once he’d gotten himself under control. “So, which was it? Were you two a thing and stayed friends after or did she friend zone you?”
“Neither,” I said. “The truth is, I thought we should only be friends.”
“You friend zoned her?” he said, raising his eyebrows. “Dude, she’s got to be the hottest chick in this town.”
I nod. “And one of the nicest,” I said. “She’s also talented and unique and bold.”
“So your type is an ugly, basic bitch, extra heavy on the bitch?”
“I said I thought we should be friends. Not that I didn’t want to be more.”
Aries nodded. “I see how it is. You realized you wanted her after I made a move. Well, sorry, my man, but you snooze you lose.”
No. I’d wanted her the moment I saw her. Her friendship was more than I deserved, and I’d treasured every moment of it. I could handle being in love with her without being with her, barely. But Max was right. If only being friends hurt her, I couldn’t justify my place in her life.
I’d been lying to myself thinking we could go back to the way things were after we’d sampled what we could be together. We could only be more or nothing at all. The thought of losing her filled me with a pain so big, I couldn’t imagine a way through it. And I didn’t want to. “Shouldn’t that be for Poppy to decide?”
Aries shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t mind sharing. I’m just looking to have fun, if you know what I mean.”
The mere suggestion of her being with someone like Aries filled me with an intense anger I’d never experienced before. I imagined how satisfying it would be to smash his face against the counter.
“Your client is ready,” Max shouted from the back, startling us both. I unclenched my fists and took a deep breath. “Poppy is notsomeone you mess around with, Aries. If all you want is a good time, find someone else.”
“Or what?” he said, stepping around the counter and into my space.
The guy had balls; I’d give him that. I was at least half a foot taller than him and had a good thirty more pounds of muscle. “Or I tell Max and ask him if he wants to beat your ass or if I can have the privilege.”
Aries stepped back, but his face was still red with rage. “Like you said, it’s not up to us. Let’s see who Poppy wants. You stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.”
“Smartest thing you’ve said all day.” I stormed to the back before I said or did something that would disappoint Max again.
Chapter seventeen
Poppy
Despite being late, Wilsonshuffled down the hall toward the classroom at a leisurely pace.
“Is your hip bothering you?” I asked. “We could have grabbed a walker at the pharmacy.”
He stopped and leaned against the cinderblock wall. “I’m fine. I was just giving you more time to tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Oh,” I said, looking down at my boots. “Is it that obvious?”
“It is to me,” he said, kindly. He placed his weathered hand under my chin and tipped my face up, so we were eye to eye. “Now tell me what’s wrong.”
I fought the tears blurring my vision and sucked in a shaky breath. “I wish I knew. I’ve been going over and over it in my mind, but I don’t understand why Theo doesn’t want to be more than friends. Something’s wrong with me, Wilson.”
“Balderdash. Don’t you think that for a minute, sweetie.” He opened his arms, and I snuggled in for one of his bear hugs. He smelled like the pharmacy, a unique blend of peppermint,something antiseptic, and the man himself. I immediately felt better.
“What happened to bring all this on?” he asked, holding me at arm’s length.
Instead of going into detail, I pulled the sketch from my bag.
He nodded. “Are you showing Theo that in class or after?”