Page 12 of Brewing Up a Bad Boy

Next, why?

Because he fucking wanted her back. He took several deep breaths and logged off the group.

Write it down.

Pulling out the Moleskine journal he’d picked up in the airport, he started writing, until he realized that his jealousy stemmed from his regret. He had to continue to change to be a better man and know that Poppy deserved love and happiness wherever she could find it.

Punctuality wasn’t a strength of hers. It didn’t bother her often, because everyone knew she tended to run ten or so minutes late. So when she walked into the backroom of Sera’s part of the shop and found Liberty and Sera both waiting for her, she wasn’t surprised. Liberty even had an iced coffee from Lily’s bakery waiting for her.

“I actually thought I might beat you two in this morning,” Poppy said, taking the drink from Liberty and sinking down on the armchair that was wedged catty-corner from the love seat where both her friends sat. Sera’s backroom was full of bookshelves and coziness, much like the way Poppy felt when she was near her friend.

“Ha. Merle had to work last night when we got home, so he was still up and woke me when my alarm went off.”

“You don’t sound annoyed by that.”

“He knows how to wake me up the right way,” Liberty said with a wink, taking a sip of her mushroom-mud that she drank every morning.

“Wes is still sleeping,” Sera said. “But his shop opens later than ours, and he’s heading to an estate auction today.”

“I love how couple-y you both are,” Poppy said. “I was feeling envious, but last night, seeing us all together fixed that. I can’t explain it but I’m sorry for it.”

“Don’t be sorry. You’re human, you’re allowed to have emotions. Just don’t act like a jerk when you do,” Liberty said with a smile. “Did you decide on the wedding?”

“I’m going. Jenny, who’s been handling the shop when it’s busy, is going to be in all days. I want to make her an assistant manager. Merle said he’ll cover for me too. What do you guys think about us all hiring someone? That way, we can start taking some time off. Sera, you’re sharing Greer with Wes and Liberty, so you don’t really have anyone.”

“I see what you’re saying, but I don’t like the idea of anyone else running our shop. What if we’re all gone at the same time?” Sera asked.

“Yeah, I’d have to find someone I trusted to take my place, and right now it’s just you two and Mom,” Liberty said.

“Just something to think about. I thought the Amber Rapp phenomenon would cool down by now,” Poppy said. Their small business in Birch Lake had gained an international spotlight after pop star Amber Rapp had been inspired to write her latest hit album after a visit. Since then there had been a steady stream of Amber’s fans to their shop wanting to have the same experience.

“I think they’re coming for us now. The exposure we got from her album turned into genuine interest in our shop and products,” Sera said.

Which was great. Their shop had moved from a small business to more of a medium-size business on the cusp of going large, but the truth was, they were still running it as they had their Etsy stores and craft-fair booths.

“Should we bring in a business consultant to help us figure out how to grow without burning ourselves out?” Poppy asked.

“I’m taking a Skillshare course on growing small businesses,” Sera said.

“Good. Let me draw a card, I want to think about this. I know you’re right, but I’m not ready for change,” Liberty said who had grown up with tarot and spells.

“And I’m going away for a week. So we have plenty of time,” Poppy said. “Can you draw a card for me, too?”

Liberty smiled at her as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her Rider-Waite deck. “Thought you might want to.”

“Want me to leave?” Sera asked.

“No. I need you here with me.”

Liberty moved to get the small folding table that Sera kept in the corner, and Poppy pulled out a candle she’d been using to help her embrace and love her true self. She put it on the counter and lit it while Sera got some crystals they’d charged at the last full moon and put them on the table. Sitting in the armchair, Liberty started shuffling the cards.

Poppy sat down next to Sera, who threaded her arm through hers.

“What do you want to know?”

There was so much she needed answered. Poppy had learned from Liberty that the card draws made more sense when she had a clear idea of what she was struggling with. Alistair was too much and she had a million thoughts and questions about him. But maybe...

“Am I making a mistake going back to England?”

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