I'll Meet You There

07

Colby's POV:

I woke up before Poppy and found myself watching her. But not in a creepy way. More like... I don't know. It was kind of creepy now that I think about it.

I got up and walked downstairs. Sam might have an idea to help with my dilemma. Luckily, he was sitting in the kitchen, so I sat across from him.

He looked up at me. "What's going on?"

"I don't know what to do."

"I'm not sure I get what you mean."

"Poppy. I like her, but I want to be friends with her too. What do I do?"

"You could always be friends with benefits," Sam joked.

I shook my head. "No. I don't want to do that to her. She's worth so much more. I doubt she'd like that and she's been through enough."

He thought for a moment. "Okay, see if she's ready to date. Bring it up subtly. And I'm not gonna do it for you. This is your job."

"Wasn't gonna ask you to do it for me."

"To do what for you?" Poppy's voice asked.

I turned to her. "Nothing. Morning, sleepyhead. How was your sleep?"

She eyed me suspiciously as she said slowly. "Good, but I'm tired."

"Wanna go for a tea run?"

"No. But donuts?"

"Sure."

A small smile crossed her face. "I'm gonna shower."

We got ready, and met up downstairs. Poppy was wearing a pink floral dress and was putting a pair of sandals on.

"You look beautiful," I told her.

She looked down, then up. "You think?"

"Yeah."

"Well thank you."

We made our way to her favorite donut shop, much to her delight, and I bought us donuts.

A couple fans came up to us and one of them glared at Poppy.

Poppy frowned as she asked, "Do you have a problem with me?"

"Actually, yeah. Why are you with my future husband?"

Poppy laughed. "I'm sorry, what? You can't just claim him like that."

"I can and I have."

"Honey, no. He's a person, like you, with his own thoughts and desires. You can't force that on someone."

"You know, I bet your niceness and non-cussing is just a front. I bet you're actually a bitch."

I saw a dark look in Poppy's eye, and I wanted to defend her, but she motioned for me to stay back. "You really don't want to test me."

The girl opened her mouth and her friend pulled her away before saying, "I'm really sorry about her. She's obsessed with Colby, and doesn't like any girl he's friends with."

Poppy continued glaring at the girl as she walked away and nodded at the friend. "It was nice to meet you. Not you."

The girl flipped Poppy off and Poppy narrowed her eyes as she said in a slow, threatening tone, "Get out. Now."

When the girls left, Poppy slammed her donut down, squishing it.

"Poppy?" I called tentatively.

She met my eyes. "Why do people think it's okay to talk to others like that?"