AllFreeNovel
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As I look down, I'm reminded of my outfit. I tug at my stained shirt. “I’ll try to look better next time,” I reply jokingly.
“You look fine to me,” he says in a serious tone that has my body igniting.
Reality comes crashing in as laughter breaks up our conversation. Harper and Kent come back into the apartment. I rush to stand, but before either of them can speak, I swear I hear Julian whisper, “More than fine. You’re beautiful." I glance back down at him, but he also avoids my eyes and stands as well.
"We'll be done soon," Kent grins. He and Julian share the same handsome features—the same square jaw, gorgeous as all hell. But Kent's got this polished vibe. His dark hair is styled like he just stepped out of an Armani ad, and his workout gear looks like it belongs on a European soccer star. Julian's more practical, real-world style.
“Done what?” I repeat as I close the distance between Harper and me.
“Getting you all set up.”
I glance around Julian's now empty apartment. Where are the other men?
“Are you assembling all my furniture?” I ask in awe and shock, noticing the sound of a drill in the background.
“Yeah. We’re good with our hands.” Kent smiles and looks at Harper, who flips her hair back and grins at me.
“Did you hear that, Pops? They are really good with their hands.” She winks.
Chapter 11
Poppy
"It’s labeled shower," I shout so Harper can hear me from the pantry.
The guys finished setting up my furniture three hours ago. I don’t need to buy any Duct Tape. It’s the sweetest thing that has happened to me in a very long time, and I need to figure out how to thank them. Something other than what Harper suggested; naturally, it involved a sexual act.
Harper and I have been unpacking the necessities, but we’re about to wind down for the day, so we have time to get ready for drinks with Julian and Kent tonight. I haven’t allowed myself time to process that or the hormone-induced spark that transpired with my new neighbor. If I think about it, I will most likely self-destruct.
I’m going to try to live in the moment like Harper does. If I ponder, my mind drifts back to the past, a place I can’t go anymore in this new chapter.
“Oh, I found it,” Harper replies.
I’m letting her shower first as I unpack the pantry.I grab the box cutter and break down the box I just finished. My front door is still held open by another box. Closing it is useless since we pile up the finished boxes and then cart them down to the recycle room three floors below us.
When I exit my front door, I see Julian inside his apartment. His front door is opened, and his head is tipped back in deep laughter. His laugh makes you feel warm and cozy, like sitting in front of a campfire roasting marshmallows, wearing a plaid shirt and Ugg boots.
Our eyes connect, and he nods and smiles. I do the same, feeling my cheeks blush like a schoolgirl.
I place the box on our pile and try to make more space in the hallway for others to pass.
“Pops! Poppy! Poppy! What the hell is this?” Harper calls from my apartment.
In a hurry, I drop the box and rush inside.
“Poppy!”
“What? I’m here. What’s wrong?” I shout.
Harper comes rushing into my kitchen with a box labeled “Shower.” She tosses it to the ground with a big thud, then charges to my pantry to the shelf she helped unpack. She grabs half a dozen items and charges back out.
“Intervention time!” She declares her blue eyes ablaze with determination.
“What now?” I groan. Were the crotchless lace panties not enough for the day?
She holds up her pointer finger and juts her hip out. "I’m doing this for your own good. Remember.”
I nod. Sometimes, it's better to agree, let Harper vent, and then fight my argument.
