Page 30 of When in December

My heart slammed into a brick wall. “What? Yes, of course.”

“I need you to be honest. This job has had a lot more issues come up. You’re right. Some of them were unavoidable from what I can tell and not your fault in the slightest, but as the holidays begin, I need to know before I go on my leave if I need to put someone else on this job to make sure it’s up to our standard. Any other time, Poppy, I’m sure that this would’ve turned into a two-person job.”

“No,” I assured her. “I’ve got this.”

“Are you sure?” Michelle asked once more. “I want you to be one hundred percent positive. You’ve been honest and kept me up-to-date with everything going on. I appreciate that and how you’re making sure that things are transparent, but?—”

“I’ve got this,” I repeated.

Did I though? I looked around the place. What was the likelihood that I could make sure the furniture got here after the floor was finally refinished and not before, let alone decorate and plan the best Christmas the Hayes-Preston family had ever had, like I’d promised Sarah?

“One hundred percent,” I confirmed.

“Okay.” Michelle took an audible breath. “You’re one of the best interior designers I’ve ever had on my team, Poppy. You have an eye. Not just for what is in style right now, but for what truly reflects the client. I need you to be on your toes and complete this job, no matter what it takes both for the clientas well as to be in the running right now for the promotion we talked about.”

“I understand.”

“Please reach out if you need anything.”

“I will make sure this place is everything envisioned and more. No matter what it takes.”

“Make sure you’re also taking care of yourself, Poppy. Check in with Alison or anyone in the firm available to see if they have any ideas to assist you. It’s not a crime to ask for help. Sometimes, it’s the best thing anyone can do. Designing might be a solitary practice when deep into a project, but it can get lonely if you don’t have a team. It’s part of what made Home Haven what it is today for everyone in the office and those in their own homes looking to us to be their team,” said Michelle. “I have to go. Have a wonderful rest of your week.”

“Thank you, Michelle. You too.”

Ending the call, I shut my eyes and cradled my head. My head hurt. But no. I could do this. I didn’t need anyone’s help.

I was going to make it to the end of this project and get this promotion.

I was going to surprise them all. Including myself.

I eyed the plywood and other materials I’d already been gathering since the afternoon they had been left in the garage, alongside the few containers of paint that were correct for the living room.

Fine. If the crews weren’t going to do it and no one was going to show up to complete this home …

I was.

As an interior designer, working with my hands was one of the things I wasn’t exactly supposed to do. I developed a vision. The comfort. Aesthetic. I wasn’t actually supposed to create. Making things physically happen in the main scheme of the house was for the heavy lifters.

The renovators.

But those pieces in the end were something that made me feel even more at peace with each step I took and were part of the first reasons I had gotten into home design in the first place years ago. But this felt different now. It was different.

In fact, with each board I laid out, the more satisfied I became. Stress leached out of my shoulders, and my brain, previously full of schedules and worries, quieted.

There. This was working.

There. That was working too.

I was doing something. It was all in my control.

By the time I laid down a sheet and measuring, the day was already starting to look up.

seven

. . .

Aaron

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