by Julie Archer
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Poppy and Parker walking towards the couple. Poppy carried a bottle of champagne in one hand, Parker a tray of glasses. He set them down on the table closest to Nate and Clem, before putting an arm around Poppy.
“You shouldn’t have,” said Nate, quirking an eyebrow at his ex.
“I wanted to say thank you,” said Poppy. She stepped out of the safety of Parker’s embrace and moved towards Clem. “To both of you,” she emphasised. “For being amazing and looking after India.” Poppy looked down at the ground. “And to apologise for how I’ve been treating the two of you. Clem, I completely misjudged who you were based on previous experience.” As she lifted her head, Nate noted her eyes were glassy with tears.
He reached for Clem’s hand as she spoke. “Thanks, Poppy, that means a lot. I simply did what anyone else would do in that situation. And fortunately, I knew what I was looking at.” She gave a small smile.
“And I can’t thank you enough. I didn’t take the time to get to know you better, even when I could see that Nate was serious about you. I should have, and for that I’m sorry. I hope we can start over?” Her voice held a note of hope. “I know India is swiftly becoming very fond of you.”
“I’m fond of her too.” Clem stood up, her own eyes misty, as she hugged Poppy. “Thank you, your apology means a lot.”
Nate joined the pair, trying to hug them both at the same time and failing miserably.
“While we’re on the subject of apologies…” Alik’s voice floated across the air. He pulled himself out of the pool, water dripping from his muscled torso, and walked towards the group. “I was wrong about Clem too. I thought she was like, well, you know who. And she’s not. You and the others never criticised me when I got together with Edie and let me get on with it. Even though it had car crash stamped on it from the start.” The corner of Alik’s mouth quirked up. “No pun intended.”
Nate’s hand found Clem’s and squeezed it. He bent his head and kissed her softly on the cheek. “See, everyone’s a fan now.”
There was more hugging as the whole group pulled together, until Poppy spoke.
“I think it’s time we had some champagne.”
Parker popped open the bottle and poured them all a glass, while Nate handed them out. Once everyone had a glass, Parker tapped the side of his glass, drawing the group together.
“There’s one other piece of news from today’s melodrama.” Parker put the knife back on the table and lifted his flute. He glanced at Poppy. “Do you want to tell them?”
“Well, I’m not going to be touching much of the champagne tonight,” she said.
Nate’s eyes fell to Poppy’s hand protectively covering her stomach. Instinctively, he knew what the news was before Poppy said anything else.
“India’s going to have a little brother or sister. I found out this afternoon that I’m almost four months pregnant.”
There was a moment’s silence, that was broken by Caro squealing, Eva rushing over to Poppy and Nate shaking Parker’s hand.
“I knew there was something. She’s been a moody cow for weeks now,” said Nate. “I remember Poppy being prone to fainting fits when she was pregnant with India. I almost said something this afternoon but didn’t put two and two together. Congratulations, Parker.” He caught Poppy in another embrace. “Come here. I knew all your narkiness couldn’t just be over me and Clem. You’re not that much of a bitch.”
Poppy screwed up her face. “Oh, I don’t know. I was pretty horrible to her.” She extended a hand to Clem. “I hope you’ll come over for tea parties with India.”
“Of course. Congratulations Poppy, I’m so pleased for you.” Clem smiled back.
Nate looked between his past and his future, suddenly overcome with emotion. He blinked away the moisture that crept into his eyes.
Magda called out that dinner was ready, and the group moved into the house, but Nate hung back.
“Aren’t you coming in?” Clem asked.
“Not yet.” He pulled her down onto his lap, and circled her in his arms, nuzzling her neck.
“What just happened?” she asked.
“There are so many things I want to say, I don’t know where to start.” Nate buried his face in Clem’s lustrous blonde hair, inhaling the apple scent of her conditioner. “It’s been such a crazy day.”
“I can’t believe everyone has changed their mind about me.”
“If you’re going to save my daughter, then it’s hard for them to see you in a bad light.”
“Shame it had to happen like that though, as if I wasn’t enough for them.”
“You’ll always be enough, more than enough, Clem.” He lifted his head so he could look directly at her. “More than you’ll ever know.”
She stared quizzically at him. “What are you talking about?”
Nate turned his head to the horizon, preparing himself for what he was about to say next. “I want it all, Clem. I want the whole marriage and kids thing, the works. And I want it with you.” He kept his tone light and jokey, but he meant every damn word.
Her jaw dropped, eyes widening at his words. “You mean that?”
He nodded, his gaze coming back to hers, boring deep into her soul.
Clem bit her lip. “How about we take things a little bit slower? Because that flat of yours is a pokey hole and I definitely need more space for my stuff. When we get back, let’s find a place we can call ours.”
“It’s definitely a good start!” Nate leaned in and met her lips with his own, deepening the kiss the longer it went on. Clem was definitely the tonic he’d needed.
Acknowledgments
Wild Tonic should have been out in the world a lot sooner than this. A combination of other stories shouting louder plus the fact I fell out of love with Nate and Clem for a while meant that this book took a back seat.
Massive thanks therefore go to Jeannie Alderdice Wycherley and Anna Bloom for helping me realise what a great story this was and encouraging me to finish it. Oh, and you should also go check out their books, after finishing mine first!
Thanks to Andie M. Long for proofreading and pointing out my excessive use of ‘a bit’ ‘apparent’-ly.
Thanks also to Najla Qamber for creating a fabulous cover to complete the Blood Stone Riot series.
Joslyn and Roberta, you know I can’t do this without your support, suggestions and a million messages, love you!
Mr A, you are the rock to my chick. Always.
And finally, to you, the reader, for taking a chance and reading my stories. I can’t thank you enough.
About the Author
Julie Archer is the author of contemporary romances, with steamy times and drama, but always a happy ending!
She lives in Devon with Mr A and two feline children, Corey and Elsa. Also metal and COYS.
“Strong, sassy, sexy…and that’s just the characters!”
www.juliearcherwrites.com
Also by Julie Archer
The Blood Stone Riot Series
Cocktails, Rock Tales & Betrayals (The Blood Stone Riot Series Book 1)
One Last Shot (The Blood Stone Riot Series Book 2)
Wild Tonic (The Blood Stone Riot Series Book 3) coming 2019
Cosmopolitan Rock (A Blood Stone Riot Short Story)
Reckless Intentions (A Blood Stone Riot Novella)
Standalones
Rivers of Ink
The Six-Week Single Dad
Writer’s Playground Anthologies
Off Track
To The Sea
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