Chapter 55 Poppy
B linking my eyes open, I find Samson curled up next to me purring like a motorboat with warm sunlight peeking through the blinds. Owen snores softly next to me and I feel too cozy under his overstuffed comforter to get up just yet. Reaching out, I stroke Samson’s soft fur, his purrs growing louder exponentially with the attention.
I quietly shush him as Owen starts to stir. Not wanting to wake him yet, Samson and I pad to the bathroom together. It must have snowed more last night, a fresh dusting coats the window ledges and the cove has a fog hanging over it. My body shivers, goosebumps working their way up and down my arms. I let the cat circle my feet while I brush and wash my face and wrap a blanket around my shoulders once we’re back in the living room.
I know I told him I needed to leave at some point today, but I’m already rethinking that decision. With the coldness of the morning, the allure of hunkering down in his apartment for a quiet day is strong. It would be nice to relax here with him and Samson, maybe order in some lunch or make dinner together. If we feel like venturing out into the snowy day, maybe another trip to the bookstore he loves after a chai from Bobbi’s.
I love this quiet normalcy that he and I have fallen into. It feels comfortable and homey and my heart swells with the happiness of wondering if I’ve found my person. After enjoying the view of the gray, snow blanketed cove for a few more minutes, I decide it’s time to start some breakfast.
Heading out to the kitchen I pull out the French press before glancing at my phone. I see a missed call from a number I don’t recognize. The area code is Toronto though, which is strange. I click through to listen to it, sliding down onto the bench at the table.
“Hi, Poppy. This is Sally from the White Pine Inn. I know this is so odd of me to call you again, but your photos did so well for our ads. Some of our guests even commented about how much they loved them. Anyways, we’re hiring for a marketing position and I thought that you might be a good fit. Now I know this is crazy. You don’t live here. You’re a teacher. But if you have any interest, give me a call. I’m really open to making the position what you’d want it to be if you’d like it, I just had a feeling that you’re the right person for the job. I hope you’re doing well and that everything with that wedding went okay. Miss you. Bye.”
I sit in stunned silence for at least five minutes before noticing Samson playfully batting at my hand desperately trying to get my attention. I curl him up into my lap. Sally wants to hire me? To take photos? I never thought that art could be a way for me to make money, which is why I pursued being an art teacher. It felt more stable and consistent, but that dream has always been there.
A back and forth starts unfolding in my head. A fight between loving trying new things and the love I have for my life, here . When I was in Toronto, the focus was on finding me , my independence, my new life. But now, I have those things and more. I’m not sure I’m ready to upend everything all over again.
Owen starts to stir in the bedroom and I feel a bit frantic. Owen. I couldn’t leave him and he loves Honey Cove so much. He wants to settle down, put down roots, not move again. Before I can even realize what is happening, tears spring to my eyes. How can I be this upset over something I didn’t even know existed ten minutes ago?
Warm hands wrap themselves around my shoulders and he leans down to kiss my cheek, his stubble lightly scratching my face. “You okay?” he yawns. “Want some coffee?”
“Oh, sorry.” I jump up to start grinding the beans. “Yes. I got distracted.”
“It snowed.” He looks thoughtfully out the window, taking it in. “Are you sure you can’t stay? I could make us omelets and hash browns.” Turning back towards me, he has a different look in his gaze. “Or we could stay in bed for a while.”
Forcing a smile, I add, “I can stay for a bit.” He moves closer to me, scrutinizing my face. His gaze roves over my body and the room trying to make sense of my strange demeanor.
“What is it? Something is up. Did something happen last night? Was I too rough?”
“No, it’s not that.” He takes me into his arms as my hands awkwardly go to my hair. “Do you remember when I was in Toronto? Before coming back for Andi’s wedding?”
“Yeah,” he says nervously, trying to figure out where I’m going with this. He holds my hands, seemingly knowing I need a little grounding right now.
“Well, I got close with the woman who owns the inn, Sally. And she just called me.”
“To…catch up?”
“No, she had purchased a few of my prints from when I was there to use in their marketing and on their website.” Pausing, it’s my turn to look up into his eyes and decide how to handle this. I choose to quickly rip the Band-Aid off. “Apparently they’ve worked so well she wants to offer me a job.”
“A job? In Toronto?” His eyes widen. Understanding.
“Yes, well, I’m actually not sure. It was a short message and it didn’t have details.”
“And you want it?” He backs away from me. Just a step, but it’s enough to feel like my walls are crashing down.
Stepping towards him, closing the gap, I take his hands in mine again. “I want to get more information.” Raising his fingers to my lips, I kiss them slowly before flicking my gaze back to his face. “Nothing has been decided here.”
“Okay.” He leans down to kiss me, but it’s reserved and colder than before. I know I haven’t made any decisions, but even my admission of interest seems like it’s cracked the tether between us.
He moves away and starts to grind beans for our coffee. Without thinking I launch my body towards him and grab him in a bear hug, needing to reconnect and feel that closeness from last night again.
“I love you.”