39. Poppy
39
Poppy
I roll over and reach across the bed, searching for Wyatt in the sheets. He’s gone, and his side of the bed is cold. With a yawn, I sit up, blinking in the golden morning light. He’s probably over at the new house again, as he has been every night after work for the past few weeks, doing I don’t know what. He won’t let me into the house itself, only the kitchen in the basement, but I’ve seen construction crews coming and going throughout the day as I work downstairs, and when I asked what was going on, he just gave me this secret little smile and told me to wait.
I’ve been busy enough with work, anyway. It’s an adjustment, in the best possible way, working in such a spacious and well-equipped kitchen. I’m used to timing things carefully to maximize limitations, like the single oven in Wyatt’s house, but with two generous commercial ovens, that’s not a problem.
The real problem’s juggling the extra work now that I’ve started catering for Kyle and Violet’s team as well. The new van is essential in helping me get to all the sites, but having an extra set of hands would be more helpful, even for a few hours a day. I’m not sure if I’m ready to take on that responsibility, but I will be. Soon.
Inhaling the cool morning air, I get out of bed, wrapping my robe around myself, and pad down the stairs. Wyatt’s voice drifts from the kitchen, and when I round the corner, my mouth opens in surprise to see Bailey sitting at the breakfast bar. What’s she doing here?
“Morning,” Wyatt says with a sleepy smile from where he’s leaning against the counter.
I fight the urge to walk over and snuggle into his side, turning to Bailey. My stomach pinches nervously. I want nothing more than to throw my arms around my friend, but I’m not sure where we stand. We’ve barely spoken since Wyatt returned from San Francisco. I’ve sent the occasional message, but her replies have been stilted, one-word answers, if she replied at all. And when I asked if I could call her so we could talk, she said she was too busy with work. I mean, I know she’s busy, but too busy for a phone call? I didn’t buy that for a second.
“Hey,” I murmur tentatively. “What are you doing here?”
She lifts a shoulder, twisting her lips to one side. Seems I’m not the only one feeling awkward.
“I don’t like how we left things.” She runs a hand uneasily through her short, platinum-blond hair. “I was hoping… are you free today? Maybe we could hang out?”
A cool wave of relief washes over me. It’s not the fierce hug I’m used to after we’ve been apart, but I’ll take it.
“I’d love that.” I look at Wyatt, who nods.
“I’ve got some errands to run today, so you guys go out. Stay out all day, if you like.” His gaze slides to Bailey, and they share some kind of silent communication I don’t understand.
“Sounds good.” I smile uncertainly at Bailey, then rush upstairs to shower and dress for the day. When I return, she and her dad are whispering about something, and they spring apart as I enter the kitchen.
Weird.
“Ready?” Bailey asks in a high voice most unlike her. “Let’s get coffee. I need it.”
I hesitate, wanting to kiss Wyatt goodbye, yet knowing I probably shouldn’t with Bailey right there. At least, not until we’ve talked everything through.
But she turns away, as if giving me permission, and I peck him on the cheek before we head out into the fresh morning air. We walk to Joe’s in uncomfortable silence, and I distract myself by looking at the ginkgo and pin oak trees that line the street, their leaves brown and gold as fall settles in.
Daisy’s behind the counter when we enter, and her face lights up when she sees me, even more so when she notices Bailey. After the Kurt confrontation, Daisy, Violet, and I went out for celebratory drinks, and it was lovely to feel supported by my new friends. Especially when I wanted desperately to share my triumph with Bailey, and couldn’t.
“Hey, Poppy.” Daisy grins. “It’s nice to see you in here.”
I nod. I haven’t returned since Dave fired me, more out of embarrassment than anything else, but after dealing with Kurt I feel better. Stronger.
“This is my…” I cringe. “Bailey.” I was going to say my best friend , but I’m not getting best friend vibes from her, even if she did ask to spend the day with me. “Bailey, this is my friend and neighbor, Daisy.”
The two exchange a smile, but Bailey still seems tense, and anxiety swoops through me. We order our coffee and turn to find a table, when Dave appears behind the counter.
“Hey, Poppy,” he says warily. “Have you got a minute?”
My stomach drops. Is he going to ask me to leave?
“Uh, sure.” I motion for Bailey to take a seat, then turn back to Dave. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to apologize… Shit.” He drags a hand down his face, looking agonized. “I had no idea how bad things were with your ex. Daisy told me he’s been causing trouble for you, and I’m sorry for the way I handled things. If I’d known…”
I smile, softening with relief. Poor Dave looks like he’s on the verge of tears.
“It’s okay. I get it.”
He lets out a long-held breath. “I hear you’ve started a catering company. I’ve been looking for some new baked goods to stock in our cabinets. Maybe you could bring in a selection for me to check out?”
I grin. Supplying a local coffee shop would be a dream.
“I’d love to, Dave. Thanks.”
We make a plan for me to bring an assortment of cookies, muffins, and cakes to the shop next week, then I glance around for Bailey. She’s at a table in the corner, picking absently at a nail, and I wander over to join her. I’m glad to have patched things up with Dave, and excited at the prospect of potentially becoming a supplier for Joe’s, but the moment I settle in at the table with my friend, my gut tightens with nerves again. I want to talk to Bailey, but I don’t know where to start, so we sit and wait for our coffee in strained silence. After a while it becomes unbearable, and I need to get some words out, to figure out where I stand with her. Wyatt said she’d given us her blessing, so why doesn’t it feel that way?
“So, listen,” I begin, as she turns to me and says, “I’m sorry.”
My brows shoot up. “Why are you apologizing?”
She lets out a long sigh, rubbing her forehead. “I know I’ve been kind of a dick.”
“ You ?” An incredulous laugh slips from me. “Are you kidding?”
“No.” Bailey’s expression is solemn. “You’ve reached out to me and I haven’t responded, and I’m sorry. When I spoke to Dad and saw how happy he was, I thought I could handle it, but… after spending a few days hanging out with him, I realized I was mad at you.”
I swallow nervously. “I guess that makes sense.”
Daisy sets our coffees in front of us. She says nothing, but sends me an encouraging smile, as if she can sense I need it.
“I was mad because… Ugh, it’s so stupid.” Bailey drags a hand down her face, a movement I’ve seen her father do a hundred times when frustrated. “As you know, my relationship with my dad has had its ups and downs, and you coming in and… getting together with him…” she pauses as her voice cracks. “It felt like you were taking him away from me. Like I might… lose him to you.”
“Oh, B.” I press a hand to my heart, my throat growing tight. “I’m so sorry. That was never my intention.”
Bailey blinks, not meeting my gaze. “I know. Of course it wasn’t, but it still hurt. It still felt like I might lose him, when I haven’t had him that long. He’s important to me, especially since Mom and I don’t get along.”
There’s a tug in my heart. I hesitate, then reach across the table to take her hand. “I promise you won’t lose him. You are too important to him, B. He’d never let that happen, even if I wanted it to. Which, obviously, I don’t.”
Her eyes meet mine, shining with unshed tears. “I know. It was so silly.”
“It’s not silly,” I say firmly. “He… he told me what happened with your mom and him, why he wasn’t around when you were little, and it’s not silly at all to want to protect your relationship. I wouldn’t dream of getting in the way of that.”
She nods, blinking the emotion from her eyes. “Thank you. You’re both so important to me, and I worried how this might change things.”
I chew on my lip. She’s right, this is going to change our dynamic. I hadn’t thought of that.
“But you need to know”—Bailey squeezes my hand tightly—“I am okay with it. I just needed some time to come around.” She wrinkles her nose, giving me a funny smile. “I mean, it’s a little weird, my best friend and my dad , of all people. But… the more I think about it, the more it’s actually kind of sweet. That two people I love so much, love each other too.”
My eyes fill as Bailey finally says the words I’ve been longing to hear for months. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” My voice breaks as I gaze at my best friend’s face. “I’m sorry I went behind your back.”
She blows out a long breath. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not.” I shake my head, needing her to know. “I wanted to tell you, not only to be honest, but… I was so desperate to share how happy I am. How excited, how wonderful it is. I’ve missed sharing that with my best friend.”
“I’ve missed that too. I could sense something different about you when I last visited, but I was too wrapped up in work to pay attention.”
I think about the last time she was here, how exhausted she seemed.
“Wyatt… Your dad…” I grimace. It’s going to take some getting used to talking to Bailey about her father now that he’s my boyfriend. “He said you were working a lot. Are you sure you’re not overdoing it?”
She chuckles, leaning back to finally pick up her coffee. “Probably. He said the same thing to me. I’m trying to cut back on my hours.” She studies me over her coffee. “How’s your work going, the catering business?”
I can’t stop the smile that tugs at my lips. “It’s great. Growing quickly. Your dad…” Dammit . I stop mid-sentence, feeling awkward, and Bailey gives me a wry smile.
“Call him Wyatt. We have to make this normal.”
“Will it ever feel normal?” I issue a grim laugh, and Bailey shrugs, but she’s smiling. “Well, Wyatt built me the kitchen of my dreams.”
“I know.” Her eyes sparkle as she gazes at me. “You’ll have to show me later.”
“Definitely.” I pick up my own coffee and take a sip of the lukewarm brew. “It’s amazing. My dream kitchen. I still can’t believe he did that. He’s so…” Whoops, stop . I bite my tongue, knowing she probably doesn’t want to hear me ramble on about my feelings for him.
Bailey sets her coffee down, regarding me intently. “You really love him, don’t you?”
“Honestly, B…” A dreamy sigh escapes me, despite myself. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone. I didn’t know it was possible to feel so… so cared for. So safe. So loved.”
Bailey nods. “He’s a good man. Even with all my mom’s lies, I’ve always known that. And while I’m sure this will never happen, I need to say it regardless: If you hurt him, I’ll never forgive you.”
I laugh, reaching for her hand again. “I’d never hurt him. He’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met, and I don’t say that lightly.”
She softens. “I know. And while it’s still weird that your boyfriend is my dad, I’m glad you have someone who makes you feel safe and happy after what you’ve been through. You deserve that.”
“Thank you.” I squeeze her hand, then release, sinking back against the seat with a long exhale, feeling lighter than I have in weeks. Bailey is here, and she’s—I can’t quite believe it—happy for me and Wyatt. That’s more than I could have dreamed of, and gratitude washes through me.
More than that, I have my friend back, the person who’s been with me through all the ups and downs, who knows me better than anyone. That makes me so happy I could cry.
“Now.” Bailey picks up her coffee, eyes lighting wickedly. “Tell me everything that happened with Kurt.”