18. A Guy In Your Life
A GUY IN YOUR LIFE
“ C ome down to cool off?” Poppy asked when Daphne arrived at the private dock and beach on the McGill Estate.
She had her suit on under her little sundress and had walked down for that reason. She’d planned on turning around when she got closer and saw Poppy here. No reason to intrude on their family time.
But Poppy had noticed her walking and waved her hand to come over.
“I’m just out for a walk,” she said.
“With your suit on,” Poppy said.
She smiled and moved closer to the stroller to see Tatum sleeping and covered by the top in the shade. Poppy was in shorts and a tank top with a nice refreshing glass of some kind of juice next to her.
“Where is Holly?”
“On the sailboat with Reese. I’ve got some peace and quiet and you’re just the person I wanted to see.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Take a seat and grab a drink. Reese brought that cooler down with everything in it.”
Since she didn’t have a lot of girl time with anyone, she decided to do it.
Not that Poppy felt like a friend to her since it was her boss.
Even though she knew Poppy was trying to be a friend at the same time.
She opened the cooler, grabbed a bottle of water, and sat in the chair next to Poppy. “I can’t thank you enough for this job. Every morning I wake up and it’s just a dream I feel I’m living in.”
“I can’t thank you enough for accepting it,” Poppy said. “Do you know how hard it is to find someone you trust to care for your child?”
“No,” she said. “But I love your kids as if they were my own.”
“And it shows,” Poppy said. “I can’t ask for anything more. Holly liked Julie, but she didn’t have nearly the fun that she has with you. It worked out well Julie is with Rose. Colin isn’t as hyper as Holly is.”
Since she’d watched both kids at once before, she knew the truth to that statement.
“They are when they are together.”
“And you’ll have your hands full next Saturday with the four of them while we are at the wedding,” Poppy said. “Are you sure you can handle it?”
“Positive,” she said. “Rose said they aren’t going to stay long. She’s still recovering.”
Daisy Jones and Theo James were getting married next Saturday. Julie had made plans prior not knowing that, and since Daphne was watching Holly and Tatum, she said she’d take Colin and Summer also. She’d had four kids before. She’d be fine.
“Because Daisy works for Rose and they are so close, she wouldn’t miss it. I’m sure Rose will leave after dinner is done or the cake. It’s still a few hours.”
“That’s right,” she said. “I can handle a few hours. Fussy crying babies don’t bother me in the least. Holly and Colin will be entertained and Tatum is an easy baby.”
Poppy grinned. “Thank God for that because Holly is such a handful. Not a terrible two, but the energy this kid has.”
“I’ve seen worse,” she said.
“Which makes you perfect.” Poppy lifted her sunglasses up and put them on her head. “And now the reason I wanted to see you.”
If it wasn’t for the fact that Poppy was smirking, she might think she was in trouble or had done something wrong. “Is everything okay?”
“That was going to be my question to you. Not that I’m watching you or anything, but Friday you came home late and then last night I noticed the lights coming down the road when I was in the kitchen. Two nights in a row you came home late. Dare I ask if there is a guy in your life?”
There was no way to hide this.
No reason to either.
“Maybe,” she said.
“Does this guy work with his hands?” Poppy asked, doing a little shimmy in her chair.
“He does,” she said.
“Does his first name start with the letter A?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m dating Abe Cooke.”
Poppy jumped up and did a booty shake. “I knew it. I had a feeling. You two are perfect for each other. I called it. I said I’d help. I’ve been helping, right?”
“Sure,” she said. “It’s all on you.”
“Now you’re humoring me,” Poppy said. “It’s all good. I’m used to it. My sisters and husband do it to me all the time. Trust me, I know when it’s happening.”
She smiled. “It did help that you had a lot of nice things to say about him,” she said. “Really. He’s a great guy.”
“But you needed some convincing?” Poppy asked. “I can see it in your eyes. Can I ask why? Or you can tell me to mind my own business. I get that a lot too.”
“I won’t say that to you.” It was still her boss. “I don’t know a lot of people around here. And I’ve never dated much. I’ve never had the time.”
“Now you’ve got the time and I see you’ve been going out.”
She’d have to keep that in mind that her employers could see her. “I won’t bring him back here. We’ve been going to his house or out.”
Poppy reached her hand over. “Daphne. I trust you. I know Abe. I don’t care if you have him at your place. It’s your home. Maybe you’ll have him spend the night. Then he’s right here for work the next day.”
She felt her face blush. “I don’t know about that.”
“You slept with him,” Poppy said, pointing her finger. “I know you did. I have radar for this. I normally just jump right into it with people, but I don’t know you as well and didn’t want to offend you. Hope I’m not doing that now.”
“No,” she said. “I don’t normally have anyone to talk to about these things.”
“You’ve got me,” Poppy said. “I love talking about men and relationships. More so when my husband and sisters aren’t around to tell me to put a cork in it.”
“I don’t know,” she said. “It’s weird to me.”
“Don’t be a party pooper. I need some fresh info. I’m not going to tell your brother, don’t worry.”
Crap. She’d have to let Aster know.
“I’ll tell him soon. I just thought of that.”
“It’s hard because you haven’t been around him much for him to know,” Poppy said. “I understand that.”
“That’s part of it. It’s new yet. And yes, I did sleep with Abe. You don’t think poorly of me, do you?”
“God, no,” Poppy said. “You’re a beautiful woman with needs.
He’s a hot guy. I can say that even though I’m happily married.
Reese and I, we had a history that you wouldn’t know about.
It’s not a secret but not readily known.
Reese was my first. He was on summer break from college and I was in high school.
We only knew each other for a week. Then he left and broke my heart. ”
She hadn’t heard this, but now all the little jokes between the two of them made more sense.
“Looks like he mended it well,” she said.
“He did. My point is,” Poppy said, “sex shouldn’t be looked at negatively. It’s a human action that carries a lot of feeling. Some women just feel more than others, but that doesn’t mean they have to feel it here.” Poppy laid her hand to her heart.
“I always have to be with someone that does or can,” she said.
“Which is why you’re good for Abe. He’s the same way. I’ve never heard a bad thing about him when it came to women. He’s been in relationships, sure. Who hasn’t at his age? But he’s not someone who just goes out to have fun.”
Poppy could have no idea how good it felt for Daphne to hear that.
Though she believed Abe when he’d told her he’d never had a one-night stand before, having it verified felt so much better.
“I’ve had a few relationships but nothing serious,” she said. “I haven’t had time or men haven’t liked that I didn’t have time.”
“You’ve got a lot more time on your hands now. I’m glad to know you’re getting out and doing things too.”
“Me too,” she said. “It won’t interfere with my job.”
“I didn’t think it would,” Poppy said. “Just like it’s not going to interfere with the job he has on the property. But if he wants to sneak over and kiss you if you’re outside, no one is going to care. I’d do that if I was in your shoes.”
“I’m being paid to watch your children, not kiss my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend,” Poppy said in a sappy voice.
“Now you’re being funny,” she said.
“Just trying to make light of it. And as I said, I won’t say anything to Aster. Not until you tell me the coast is clear.”
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m not trying to keep it from him. I have to work it all out more than anything.”
“And you will,” Poppy said. “So, tell me the fun things you’ve been doing. I’m an old married woman now with kids. Date nights are going to dinner and that is about it.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” she said. “But we’ve cooked for each other a few times. We went hiking and then on a sailboat cruise.”
“You’re both outdoor people. Not me. I need to live through you now. Tell me more,” Poppy said, rubbing her hands together.
She laughed. Yes, this was fun. And she was slowly relaxing about it all too.