Page 19 of Smooth Talk

Chapter 6

Poppy

The past couple weeks have been crazy busy. Every day spent between, the office, the cottage and home. Unfortunately, home has had the smallest slice of the pie. Harp’s been spending a lot of time with my mom, not that she minds. I feel bad though. I haven’t seen Ruby or Em and I’d only exchanged quick texts with them and Sara since the night we all went out.

Ruby’s acting distant. I keep meaning to ask about her ride home from Knox, but I feel like that’s an in-person conversation. There is no way I’d be able to tell if she’s fibbing over text. And with the way she tried not to overreact about the kiss at dinner, something tells me, she’ll fib. Fingers crossed, I’ll be finished with this job soon and have a bit of extra time for everyone I care about.

The upside to working so much is I’ve had zero time for dating. My mom hasn’t completely given up her quest to find me a man, but she’s backed off a little, and, honestly, I couldn’t be happier.

Caroline stops into the cottage daily to see the progress we’re making, usually with tea and cookies. The lady is an angel. She brought Mimi last week. She was having a day out; said she’d been cooped up in the hospital for too long. She wanted a pedicure, a fieldtrip to see her new temporary abode and a lunch with her daughter that didn’t involve rubbery chicken, wilted lettuce or fruit-laced jello. Caroline had agreed and had given her mother strict instructions to not leave her chair. Mimi only snuck out twice, sending me a sly wink each time. So precious. Clever and kind, with a lust for life. I have no doubt she’ll be walking unassisted in no time. She’ll be there tonight, along with the rest of the Maxwell crew. I’ve met a few of them over the past couple weeks. Caroline’s husband, Gibson, popped in on my first official day onsite with their second oldest son, Oliver, to introduce themselves and hand-deliver the permits for the renovations. They had a serious air about them, but they were pleasant, and did I mention handsome? Though, not as handsome as Grayson, IMHO.

I haven’t seen him since brunch at Nosh, but he’ll be there tonight as well. The thought sends a rush of heat to my cheeks and kicks my pulse up a notch. The same reaction follows every stray thought I’ve had about him over the past weeks. I haven’t had a case of the butterflies this severe since Reed, and that only lasted the first few dates and weren’t accompanied by the anxious indigestion the current ones are giving me. It’s been three years since I’ve been to a formal event, and even the splendor of the annual Christmas party at SandFord Investments probably won’t hold a candle to a Gala at the Maxwell Estate.

I wipe my sweaty palms down the sides of my cobalt blue satin and lace trumpet style gown. I’d picked it up at a boutique in town last week and had the girl at the shop alter it for me. She’d talked me into jewelry and shoes while she took my measurements. She didn’t exactly twist my arm. Sapphire and diamond drop earrings and matching hair clip. My auburn curls are caught up on one side away from my face and cascade over my opposite shoulder, covering one side of the sweet-heart neckline of my dress. The gentleman at the salon had worked miracles with my hair and make-up. I twirled, inspecting my sleek smoky eyes, lightly contoured face and nude lips in the full-length mirror in my bedroom. I look like me, just the photoshopped version.

“Wow,” Harper gasps from the doorway, her huge eyes glued to my gown, jaw unhinged in wonder. “Mama, you looks like a mermaid princess.”

My mother stood behind her. “She certainly does, and you’re both lucky enough to look just like dear old GiGi,” she winks. I laugh, but she is beautiful. And we are lucky to have inherited her genes. “Go grab your bag, Bug” she pats Harper gently on the back ushering her from the room and plops down on my bed, eyeing me closely in the mirror. “You look gorgeous, Poppy. Do you have everything you need for tonight?” I nod. “Purse, money, lipstick?”

I smile. “Yes mother.”

“Business cards?” I nod. “Shaved?” she asks with a straight face.

I roll my eyes, “Waxed actually.”

“Good girl. Condoms?”

“Mom! Sheesh.”

“What? It’s not like Harper can hear me, and even if she did, she’d have no clue what I was talking about. In one ear and out the other; she’s like your father that way.” She grins at me, “I just want to make sure you’re safe and prepared for tonight. Those men will be putty in your hands, baby girl. You should take advantage of the gifts God gave you.” She says as she pushes up her own cleavage and waggles her brows. I don’t stop the eye roll, or the laugh. Incorrigible.

“Even if that’s true, I won’t be needing condoms this evening, mom. You know I don’t sleep around.”

“Maybe you should start,” she says, but Harper comes running back in with a sequined lavender bag slung over her shoulder, saving me from anymore of this ridiculous conversation.

I bend down, hugging her tight. “Love you, have fun tonight June Bug.” I look over her head at my mother, “Not too much sugar, and make sure she’s in bed by nine.” Harper audibly huffs, my mom just nods okay, but I’m fairly sure her fingers are crossed behind her back.

My phone dings; Uber’s here. Mom hands me my clutch and we all walk out of the house together. I get a light hug from her before getting in the car. “You know I only want what’s best for you?’ I nod as she kisses my cheek. ‘Now, go do something I would do,” she whispers, making me laugh. My mother’s an incorrigible flirt; the perfect complement to my father’s mild-mannered, studious nature. A force to be reckoned with. The absolute best.

I slide in the backseat and check myself in the phone camera, it’s a thirteen-minute ride to the Maxwell’s. Just enough time to send a selfie or two to the girls and brag about my evening. I don’t often get the chance to get all dolled up, and I know they’ll get a kick out of it. I need to touch up my lipstick; I must’ve smudged it kissing Harp goodbye. Reaching in my purse to grab the tube, three condoms spill out. Three! I did not put those in there. Shaking my head, I can’t help the smile that cracks my face. Well played Ava. Well played.

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