Ryanne’s eyes flash with hesitation when she puts the vase down.
“What? You don’t like it?”
“I love it, but it’s you. What if Stephanie has more modern taste?”
“Hmmm, you’re right. She may be more of an etched fine crystal type of person.”
“Why won’t you order from her registry?”
“I wanted to give her something unique.”
“Considering you’ve spent little time with her, call the person who knows her best.”
“That’s a toss-up between Darby and Scottie, and they’re both busy.”
“Message Darby, trust me on this. Spending that kind of money and shipping across country is risky.”
I shoot a few pictures of the pieces and send a message to Darby.
Ryanne grabs a card, and we stroll through the art market, stopping at our favorite booths to shop.
Darby calls as Ryanne loads our cart.
“Hey!” I scoot into a quiet alleyway.
“Hi, where are you?”
“Ryanne and I are shopping.”
“For a wedding present?”
“That’s on my list. What did you think? Will it fit Stephanie’s style?”
“She’d love that. But Evin already sent a gift in both your names.”
A warm sensation flows through me. “That was thoughtful. He didn’t mention it.”
Her bubbly giggle rings in my ear.
“What’s so funny?”
“I know exactly why he didn’t mention it. Heard about the airline ticket brawl.”
The warmth turns to humiliation as heat burns my cheeks. “Scottie has a big mouth. And it wasn’t a brawl, it was a strong disagreement.”
Ryanne joins me, her smile growing at my irritation.
“Stop smirking!” I snap.
“No, it is highly entertaining.”
“Is that Ryanne?”
“Yes, and she finds the whole thing humorous, too.”
Yesterday, I received an alert that my credit card account had a refund. In a panic, I called Scottie, and he explained Evin had him switch the payment method on my ticket. My new accommodations included flying first class.
It took a full five seconds for this to register before I went crazy. Scottie hung up on me, laughing when I demanded he reverse everything.
Evin was my next call. He barely got out ‘hello’ before my tirade hit. He also found me amusing. Since he was not here to distract me, I may have gone a little too far. When I mentioned canceling the trip unless he let me pay, all humor died. The icy reaction reached across the country.
It was over the top and dramatic. I knew this immediately but was too stubborn to back down.
“Poppy, I pay for you. You have a problem with that, too bad. But don’t threaten me when I’m too far away to do something about it. Your ass will be on that plane or my ass will be in Vegas to get you.”
I realized Evin had not only the gleaming eyes that could talk me down; he had the voice to hit home.
I’m screwed. With one last attempt, I said we’d talk about it later.
He said there was nothing to talk about.
I huffed out of pride, knowing I was beat.
He remained quiet until I relented.
That was it.
“Evin and I rarely argue,” I rush to tell Darby.
“Oh, sweetie, that’s about to change. But in a good way.”
“How is fighting a good thing?”
“Poppy, let me give you some advice that was doled out to me by some wise women. It goes deeper than picking your battles. It goes to understanding the man he is. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and voice your opinions. But know he’s not stripping your independence.”
“He should have spoken to me about it. I found out from my credit card company, which was not cool. Then he upgraded me to first class, which is unnecessary.”
Her silence makes me uneasy. “I’m sorry, he’s your brother and I sound ungrateful.”
“No, I’m trying to find the right words to explain. If this is about the principle of talking to you, it’s understandable you’re upset. But what is it genuinely about?”
My stomach drops and I glance at Ryanne to see her watching me closely. She reads my expression and shakes her head. I think about lying, but I’m a terrible liar, even through the phone.
“Evin spent a week here and didn’t let me contribute to anything. I don’t want it to look like I’m taking advantage of him.”
“Look to who? Evin? I’m pretty sure he doesn’t see it like that at all.”
It’s me who’s quiet this time.
“Oh my God, Poppy, do you think we care?”
“I don’t want to be a freeloader.” There, I said it.
Ryanne drops her chin to her chest while Darby gasps. “No one in our circle would ever think that. If Evin knew you said it, he’d lose his mind.”
“Let’s not tell him.”
“Put me on speakerphone. Ryanne needs to hear this.”
I step closer to Ryanne and do as she asked. “You’re on.”
“Okay, it’s important that I set you straight, and your best friend most definitely needs to be knowledgeable. She can make you see reason since I can’t pop in when you have these doubts.”
“I like this chick already,” Ryanne claims loudly.
“Likewise, Evin is very complimentary about you,” she responds, not missing a beat. “Now, Poppy, you will not like what I’m going to say. But it comes from experience. Don’t argue with Evin about money—ever. If he wants to do something for you, let him. If you choose to argue, get ready to see a grown man turn into a caveman. I learned the hard way.” She stalls to take a breath. “Pierce doesn’t let me pay for anything. He never has. Since I was seventeen, he’s never even let me pay for a movie ticket. When we were engaged and I moved in here, he refused my attempts to contribute. When we got married and I was legally Darby Kendrick, he put my name on all our bills. I have access to everything, and the one time I paid them, he exploded. My husband has certain views on taking care of his family. I found other ways to contribute and let him get his way.
“Miller is the same. Although their situation is more complex because Ashlyn bought their house, renovated it, and he bought the addition. Like me, she attempted to reason with him with no luck. I was rooting for Ashlyn because she can be a shark. Unfortunately for her, Miller likes her form of bitch and the argument lasted a nano-second. She found her way to work around.”
“You’re married. Evin and I just met,” I point out.
“Seventeen, Poppy. I was seventeen. It has not changed. Evin has these same traits. He’s protective by nature and wants to take care of you. That’s his way.”
“I don’t need taking care of.”
“It’s not about you needing it; it’s about him wanting to do it. Big difference.”
“Makes total sense to me,” Ryanne pitches in. “I’d let Chris Hemsworth spoil me.”
I elbow her in the ribs. “Your opinion isn’t needed.”
“Ryanne’s right,” Darby agrees. “Trust me on this. You’ll get used to it.”
“Okay.”