Whatever he told her—she listened.
Her first message to Poppy was a full apology. No excuses, no bullshit, no trying to justify her actions. It was a straight-out apology.
Poppy mulled it over for a week before responding with a simple acknowledgment. Since then, Karen messages every day, sometimes simple messages or links to something she thinks will interest Poppy. But always with the same ending, an apology.
I’m not ready to accept her into our life, but typical Poppy, she’s taking it in stride. Karen’s slowly chipping away at her resistance.
“Oh, good lord.” Darby sucks in a sharp breath. My gaze swings to where Scottie and Billy are walking in. Scottie is decked out in a shiny gold suit complete with crystal-studded sunglasses. They come straight to us.
“Don’t be rude,” Darby speaks to no one in particular.
Marco’s wide eyes swing to me. I shrug, taking a large swallow of my drink to avoid talking.
“Ashlyn and Miller are on their way,” Scottie informs us casually.
No one replies, Pierce keeping the rim of his glass to his lips.
“Andrew and Ryanne are with them.”
Silence.
“We’re late because Stephanie is brooding. She’s not happy about missing this. I’ll be glad when her baby gets here.”
Darby clears her throat. “Ummm, thanks for the information, Scottie.”
“Why is everyone mute?”
“Because I’m trying not to piss my wife off by saying you look like an idiot,” Pierce tells him.
“This is the perfect outfit for a night in Vegas.”
Billy drops his chin, but I catch his smirk.
“Y’all know nothing about style,” Scottie quips snidely.
“Neither do you, apparently,” I add.
He pulls the glasses down the bridge of his nose, peering at me over the rim. “Wait until we’re clubbing later. My outfit is all the rage.”
“We’re not clubbing later.”
“You may not be, but Billy and I are taking our beautiful bohemian out on the town. This is a big night.”
“Your flawless flower child has a husband that says no.”
“We’ll see. My guess is she’ll love my outfit.”
I can’t argue with that. It’s loud, flamboyant, and ridiculous, which means Poppy will love it.
“We’re getting drinks and mingling with people who can appreciate my awesomeness.” He waves us off, prancing to the bar.
“I packed his grey suit. Surprised the shit out of me when he came out wearing that,” Billy explains.
“Well, if anyone can pull it off, it’s Scottie,” Darby sympathizes.
“I’d better go over there. Looks like Annie is stealing his glasses.” He trails after Scottie.
“When Poppy introduced us this afternoon, he seemed normal,” Marco states with confusion.
“He’s eccentric; it’s an acquired taste,” I clarify.
“He’s also partially the reason you met Poppy,” Darby adds smugly.
“Now I really don’t know what to think about him.”
I slice my eyes to Marco. “Watch it, old man. Don’t forget the reason you’re standing here.”
Darby snorts as Pierce chuckles. Marco’s eyes light in a way that reminds me of Poppy.
“Don’t worry, I know I’m here to pay for the festivities and pack up a house.”
“You complaining?”
“Nope, it’s an honor.”
“Oh, we all have it under control. The sitters Ryanne arranged will be back tomorrow afternoon. All the women will have that house packed in no time.” Darby goes on to tell the plans I’ve heard about this week.
As expected, the talk Andrew had with Ryanne back in January went his way. She took a leap of faith, and moved to Charleston. Her job didn’t want to lose her so she went virtual and agreed to limited travel. She insisted it was an eight-week trial, knowing Poppy and I were keeping her house in Vegas if things didn’t work out.
No one argued, even though we knew the truth. This was working out. Andrew loves the crazy, outspoken, wildly unapologetic Ryanne just as she is. Unlike the men that came before him, he’s not interested in changing her. He wants to enjoy that every day. It took less than three weeks in Charleston and she was ready to put her house on the market.
I waited until we knew Poppy’s fate. Once she had the details secured, the house sold in less than four days. Ryanne signs the papers on Tuesday.
It worked out well that everyone is here at the right time. We’ll load the U-Haul tomorrow night once the house is packed. Dozer and Austin will start the trek to Charleston on Monday. Janie will fly back with the rest of the family. Ryanne and Andrew will drive her car after she closes on Tuesday. And that leaves Poppy and me living back in the Bellagio until her job is done.
“The entertainment has arrived,” Marco announces.
My attention is drawn to the side where Isaac saunters in, wearing a custom-made suit and his million-dollar smile. He goes to Grady, shaking his hand and is immediately assaulted by Cole.
“Traitor,” I grumble.
“You invited him,” Pierce counters, not hiding his grin.
“Poppy invited him.”
“Poppy has a soft spot for him,” Marco goads, and my eyes cut to him.
“I don’t get the animosity. I thought it was all water under the bridge-type stuff. Isaac turned out to be a good guy. Why the raging bull?” Darby’s question is aimed at me, but it’s Pierce who answers.
“Baby, the man may have redeemed himself with his screw-up, but he still dated Poppy.”
“So what? We know what didn’t happen there.”
Pierce’s eyes shift back and forth, and then his chin tilts in silent communication. She catches on and her jaw drops.
“You hold a grudge because he was her boyfriend?”
She gets it. The man touched her, held her, slept in the same bed with the woman who fucking owns me.
“Yes,” I answer unapologetically.
“Are you kidding? That’s the most hypocritical and ludicrous thinking. It’s like saying Tommy Ashes, who I dated my senior year and spent prom night with is a threat.”
An icy chill settles in the air, Pierce’s face a mask of stone. He takes her martini, sets it on the table, and grabs her hand. “Excuse us.”
She points at me. “I’m not done with you. After I deal with my overbearing husband, you’re next.”
He hauls her away, and Marco chuckles at their departure.
“Never a dull moment with your family.”
I nod in agreement. He doesn’t know how right he is.
Chapter 42
Poppy
I stare into the dim and empty theatre, digging through memories. It seems like a lifetime since I stood in this same spot, doing the same thing, all those years ago. That girl with such big dreams and aspirations is barely recognizable in my brain.
The excitement and sense of accomplishment remain, but tonight is different. The excitement is about what lies ahead.
My eyes are on the VIP section where, an hour ago, people that mean so much screamed and cheered as I gave my final bow on this stage.
Scottie and that outfit—there was no way to miss him.