Page 58 of The One That I Want

I stare at the peace lily on my desk. How have I let this case get so complicated? Have I made a misstep somewhere? Great – nowI’mhaving a crisis, only mine is a crisis of confidence.

‘It’ll work out, Poppy,’ says George.

I look up and meet his eye, then break into a smile even though I don’t feel like smiling. ‘Thanks, George. One bite at a time, right?’

‘Yes.’

He squeezes my shoulder, then rolls his chair back to his desk, and I call Greta to set up a meeting. It’s time to get this case back on track.

Greta

As Poppy and I take a seat at my favourite table in The Daily Grind, tentacles of nervousness writhe through my abdomen. I know exactly why she’s called this meeting – it’s about my (latest) panicked phone call. I must be the neediest client she’s ever had.

That is if I still am her client.

Despite everything I said to her on Sunday night, I woke up this morning feeling sick about the possibility of Poppy closing my case because I’m unable to handle the lying.

And when I examined why I felt sick, rather than relieved, it was because of Harrison – not just because I think he’s handsome and ‘good on paper’. What if heisThe One?

‘So, what should we discuss first?’ I ask, pretending this is just like any other meeting. ‘Your column? Or rather, yourformercolumn? I really am sorry we had to pull it.’

‘Oh, that’s all right,’ she replies with a wave of her hand. ‘Let’s be honest, after the extensive revisions Bex had to make, it’s fairly obvious I should keep my day job.’

I return her smile and take a sip of my coffee as I purposefully attempt to calm my nerves.

‘I have been thinking about how to keep you on atNouveau Life,’ I continue. ‘To maintain your cover, but I?—’

‘Sorry to interrupt,’ she says, ‘but if you’re happy to keep meeting here, I don’t think we need to fabricate another writing assignment.’

‘Oh?’ I ask, surprised. ‘But… I’m confused – the first time we met, Anjali was adamant we needed a plausible guise for you to be atNouveau.’

‘I know and I understand your confusion. But, with you in the loopandmy column being pulled… I think we can skip Poppy’s Column 2.0, don’t you? And if anyone fromNouveausees us together, like here at the coffee shop, you can just tell them we’ve become friends.’

‘So, another lie,’ I say, bringing us back to Sunday’s conversation and sending my abdomen into full-blown spasms. I shift in my seat and set my coffee down. I don’t think I can stomach it now.

‘Look, I understand that you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the subterfuge. I imagine it’s challenging, especially for such an honest person.’

‘Well, yes,’ I agree, somewhat relieved. ‘A few days ago, after my date with Aman, I was all fired up. I was determined to write these bloody articles, put the bad dates behind me, and finally meet Harrison. Andthen…’ I trail off, not wanting to work myself into too much of a lather – especially not here in what’s become a sanctuary of sorts.

‘Then you felt you had to lie to your family,’ she says, completing my thought.

‘Yes,’ I reply softly. ‘And now I’m not sure how to handle it – the guilt, theconfusion… Poppy, Ireallydon’t want you close my case but I’m not sure how to?—’

‘Sorry – I know I’m interrupting again – but I’m not planning on closing your case. Not unless you ask me to.’

‘Really? I… I worried that after I called you, you’d decide I’m not up the task and call it off.’

‘Remember when I said your case was my number-one priority?’

‘Yes,’ I reply.

‘I meant that.You’remy client, Greta – not Anjali. I know how complicated this case has become and how much is being asked of you. I’m here to support you – to help you navigate the twists and turns and get everything back on track.’

‘So you think I should just admit to Anjali I know what’s going on?’

‘That’s entirely up to you,’ she replies gently.

I breathe out noisily, now more confused than ever and – again – baulking at the thought of coming clean to Anjali. It would certainly simplify some of the machinations of this case but what impact would it have on our relationship? I find myself frowning at my coffee, and I look up at Poppy.

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