Page 94 of When in December

“Good. We’re doing good.”

Barrett glanced over his shoulder toward the living room, where Poppy was talking to another woman with curly hair pinned back on either side of her face. “It looks like you are. I’m happy for you too, Hayes. You deserve this.”

“What?”

“Peace.”

I shook my head.

“You do,” he said. “Hope you see that someday.”

“Now, I know you drank too much punch.”

“Eh. Think whatever want. She seems like she likes you, though.” Barrett shrugged. “Who knows why? But I wouldn’t mess around if you want to do anything about it.”

I watched her across the room, sipping her drink and making small talk. The picture of ease. So perfectly put together.

Oh, I was going to do something all right.

twenty-one

. . .

Poppy

“Are you a friend of Barrett’s?”the woman who had complimented my earrings asked me.

We stood next to the tree and window, where we could see out into the piles of snow, frozen from the cold. She had tight, bouncy curls and soft pink lipstick that made her skin look amazing.

“I’m Fiona, by the way.”

“I’m Poppy,” I told her. “One of Barrett’s friends invited me to come with him.”

“Oh, that’s so nice.”

“It is. I love a good holiday party. Usually, I’m busy working.”

“What do you do for work?”

“I’m a designer.”

“Fashion?” Her eyes widened.

Did my jingle bell earrings not say enough? “Home and interior. I work for Home Haven,” I corrected.

Fiona gasped. “You’re kidding!”

I shook my head.

“I love Home Haven! I have followed their social media for ages. Such stunning work, and now, they have a website and everything.”

“They do,” I said. “It’s really exciting how it’s all expanding.”

“I can imagine. You must feel so lucky to be a part of it,” she said.

“I love my job,” I agreed.

“All the opportunities around here in the city are another reason I want to move back to the area. My husband, Isaac, is from near here, and I just love it.”

---