His to Cherish (Carmel Springs Book 3)

Chapter 5

Keats~

"Okay, lay out your objections, and I'll hear you out," I offered graciously.

Poppy's head dropped, and she immediately went to massaging her temples. "I don't even know what to say to that," she muttered.

"You said that you weren't hung up on your ex, and you mentioned nothing about a current boyfriend," I reminded her. "So, what's the problem."

Her head snapped up. "I just met you yesterday, Keats," she practically screeched. "Usually, a guy asks a girl out on a date before titles start being thrown around."

"Fine," I relented. "Would you like to go out with me on Friday night?"

"Really?" she deadpanned.

However, before I could say anything further, the door to the bakery opened, and when Poppy's eyes widened, I turned to see what now. I couldn't help but grin when I saw Trayce walking into the bakery, looking annoyed as hell.

"I just ran into Zale Campion, and he said that Quest got invited to the wedding," he said, forgoing the pleasantries. "What the fuck?"

"Oh, Sweet Jesus, there's two of you," Poppy whispered, though we could both hear her just fine.

"Well, that got around quick," I snorted. "Ransom and Quest just left here."

Trayce placed his hands on his hips. "Apparently, Ransom couldn't wait to call Zale and Bennett to tell them that Quest was invited while they weren't." Trayce threw his arms out to his sides. "How in the hell is Quest invited when we haven't even been invited?"

I shrugged. "Supposedly, he and Addie are friends of sorts."

"Oh, that's brilliant," Trayce muttered. "Does Brett know?"

"I imagine that he has to," I answered. "There's not much about Addie that he doesn't know. Also, Ransom is going to try to bribe Addie into forgiving them all by building the best altar ever."

"The most incredible altar ever," Poppy chimed in. "That's what he promised."

Trayce looked over at Poppy. "So, you're my newest sister-in-law?"

Poppy's head reared back. "Uhm...I'm sorry?"

Ignoring her incredulousness, Trayce stretched his arm out to shake her hand. "I'm Trayce, Keats' older brother."

"By two fucking minutes," I huffed.

Poppy took his hand, which I took as a good sign. "I'm Poppy Dream," she said, introducing herself. "The new bakery owner."

"Wow, that really is your name, huh?" Trayce grinned at her. "I like it. Is that what you're naming the bakery?"

That threw her for a bit of a loop. "Uh...honestly, I hadn't thought about it much. I'm still trying to get it operational."

"We're her free labor," I told Trayce. "I was going to send you guys a text after I left here."

"Not a problem," my brother replied easily, and I really did have the greatest family.

"Did Keats ask you about the cake and cupcakes?"

"Uhm...yeah, he did-"

"That's why we're the free labor," I said, cutting Poppy off. "We need to get this place up and running before the wedding."

"Uhm, when is this...uh, wedding?"

"Not sure," Trayce answered her. "I think Brett's going to pick a definitive date after everything's lined up. I mean, we can't do anything without the altar."