Page 38 of Take Me Home

I huff a humorless laugh, keeping my expression neutral. Because my feelings for Hattie are neutral. There are no feelings. My mind filters back to yesterday, watching her in those tan coveralls with a smile on her face.

I school my features again when I realize I’m smiling.

“I saw that.” Poppy says, pointing to my face. “She’ll be here in thirty minutes.”

My eyes move down because I don’t remember what I put on this morning, and I refuse to acknowledge the relief I feel when I see clean jeans and a red henley. I almost came downstairs in my plaid pajama bottoms and a hoodie.

Not that it matters what Hattie thinks…because I don’t care.

“Don’t worry; you look fine,” Poppy says breezily as she takes her coffee mug and pulls out a chair at the table.

I ignore her comment.

Once the French toast is finished, I get started on the bacon for some protein. My brother barrels down the stairs, beckoned by the scent of greasy bacon.

He’s wearing pajama bottoms and socks, but his chest is bare.

“Put a shirt on, Wayne,” I tell him.

He scratches his chest and yawns. “Why?”

“I invited a friend over for breakfast,” Poppy says with a bright grin.

“Jackson and Owen are joining us, as well,” I add.

“They’re coming too?” she asks.

I nod, and my sister’s cheeks turn a subtle hue of pink. Interesting.

“Okay, so what’s the problem?” Wayne asks, shrugging. “And since when does Poppy have friends?”

She rolls her eyes.

Wayne turns to Poppy. “It’s not Lanie, is it?”

My sister wrinkles her nose. “No, it’s not Lanie.”

Wayne eyes her curiously before trudging up the steps. He comes back down wearing a white tee that says save a horse ride a cowboy.

I groan at his shirt choice as I load up a platter with the French toast and bacon, then walk it to the table. Wayne sets maple syrup and butter next to the main course.

I’m filling a mug with coffee when there’s a knock on the front door. Poppy jumps up to answer it, but Wayne grins at her and rushes toward the front hallway. Tripp steps in front of Poppy, trying to see what’s going on, and unknowingly blocks his mother from intercepting Wayne.

We stand in silence, listening as the front door creaks open. Wayne’s voice trails through the hallway. “Well, hello, gorgeous. You must be my date. Is my outfit okay?”

Somehow, I know Hattie is going to shock him by jumping right in with his shenanigans, and she doesn’t disappoint.

She chuckles before saying, “Yes, I can’t wait. I’ve been dreaming about this for days.” She sighs. “Let’s go.”

There’s a pause, like Wayne is scrambling for what to say next. I shake my head. Poppy gently pushes past Tripp and rushes to the door. He shrugs and grabs a slice of bacon from the table.

“Ignore my brother,” I hear Poppy tell her in an exasperated tone. I can’t see the two women from the kitchen, but I hear them laugh.

A moment later, Poppy strides inside the room with her arm looped through Hattie’s. Wayne is behind them, and he’s obviously staring at Hattie’s ass. I clear my throat loudly, and his eyes snap up to mine. I narrow my eyes, and he smirks.

Wayne comes around to stand in front of the table. He can’t take his eyes off Hattie. You’d think he’d never seen a woman before.

I sigh. “Good morning, Princess.”