“It’s not harassment, it’s called persistence. Now, I assume this little guy didn’t drive himself here?”
“Darby’s in my office signing papers.”
At her name, Jackson’s eyes light up and he grabs two bottles of water, heading to my office.
Devin’s little fists grip my hand as he continues chomping. “Buddy, next time you want to spit your food on a two-hundred-dollar shirt, aim at Jackson.” I let him hold the banana to grab a few napkins. As soon as I release it, he gets excited, shoves the whole thing in his face, and screeches in delight.
My phone rings and I grab it, knowing it’s time for Poppy’s call. “Hey.”
“Hey, are you busy?”
Devin answers for me with another squeal. “If you consider watching this heathen demolish his snack busy, then yes.”
My phone rings again, this time with her facetime request. “Let me see.”
I flip the screen, and like a professional, Devin takes a break long enough to flash his grin.
“What is that?”
“It was a banana.”
“He’s adorable with goo everywhere. It looks like he tried to share with you.”
I wipe my shirt and attempt to clean him up, but he struggles. “This looks like a job for Darby when he’s finished.”
“She’s going to strangle you.”
“Won’t be the first time. How was your class?”
“Dante killed me today.”
“I guessed the ballerina would have taken him down.”
“Yes, but he signed us up for something more modern and funk. My legs are dying.”
“She’s whining because she showed out,” Dante shouts in the background.
His voice gets Devin’s attention and he lunges for the phone. When he sees her face close-up, he cackles. She laughs along, which encourages him further. Mushy banana goes everywhere.
I pull the phone away, “Buddy, she gets me excited, too, but I don’t make a mess.”
“Go handle him, we’re headed to training.”
“Call me tonight when you get home.”
“The countdown is on. Less than a week.”
“Thank God. Pips is driving everyone crazy,” Dante teases.
“The countdown is on,” I agree.
“Tell Darby hi.”
“Bye, baby.”
“Let’s do our best to clean you up so your mom doesn’t strangle me.” I move to the sink, wash him off, and head back to my office.
Darby and Jackson are mid-conversation when we walk in and her eyes sweep over Devin.
“I didn’t give him a chocolate muffin.”
“Next time, I’ll send you with provisions.”
“Did you have questions on the forms?”
She shakes her head, handing over the file. “Exactly as you explained.”
“Oh look, everyone’s here!” Ashlyn chirps, strutting in with a bright smile. She’s decked out in her designer clothes, including shoes that cost more than my first car.
“I arrived early to see your new office,” she explains, coming straight to me and laying a loud kiss on Devin’s cheek. “Hey, sweet boy.”
He holds firm on my collar but reaches for her red hair. “No, Aunt Ashlyn has a big meeting and can’t have baby mess hair.”
Jackson stands. “Ashlyn, good to see you. Thanks for coming in.”
“I’m excited to be here.”
She glances around the office approvingly. “This looks great.”
“Thanks.” I wink at Darby.
“I’m glad to catch you.” The sing-song, sugary sweet tone of Ashlyn’s voice fires a warning in my brain.
I manage Ashlyn’s financial portfolio and we speak at least once a month, not to mention we see each other weekly. Her ‘catching-me’ isn’t ever a problem.
“What’s up?”
“When do you and Poppy fly in from Vegas?”
“Late Wednesday,” I tell her something she already knows.
“Great, how about y’all ride to Kiawah with Miller and me on Thursday?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I want my vehicle.”
“We’ll ride with you then. It’s silly for all of us to have cars.”
“Ride with Jill and Warren.”
“They don’t have to be there until Friday.”
“Neither do we.”
“Yes, you do. You need to be there Thursday night for the bonfire.”
Darby nods her agreement. “It’s a small gathering at the beach house.”
“How many fucking parties are included in this weekend?”
“Does it matter?” Darby throws back. “It’s a wedding, we’re celebrating.”
“I didn’t reserve a room for Thursday.”
“Scottie has it handled.”
“No,” I repeat.
“Come on, Evin, we want to see Poppy. You can’t keep her all to yourself,” Ashlyn pushes.
“You’ll be with her all weekend.”
“It’ll be crazy, and Thursday will provide a more intimate atmosphere.”
I narrow my eyes at my sister, feeling more to this story. “What’s going on?”
She side-eyes Ashlyn, then throws her hands up. “Fine. We want to see her, but more importantly, we want to make her comfortable.”
“She has me. I’ll make sure she’s comfortable.”
“You’re being a caveman.”
At this, Jackson laughs and my head swings to him. He’s rocking back on his feet with his arms crossed and face full of amusement.
“You enjoying this?”
“Yeah, two beautiful ladies piling up on you is entertaining.”
My phone alerts an incoming message and Darby’s eyes drop to my pocket. “That’s her.”
It’s not a text from Poppy; instead, there’s a video from Dante with a message—‘Pips lit it up!’
“Ooh, Let’s watch it,” Ashlyn suggests, spying over my shoulder.
“Don’t you have a meeting to go to?”
“It can wait a few minutes.”
“I remember a year ago when you were private and minded your own business.”
“That was before we were family. Now I have carte blanche to be nosy.”
“Actually, why don’t you send it to the big screen so we can all see it,” Jackson recommends with an arrogant smirk.
All three of them stare at me expectantly. “Fine, then you people need to get a life and stay out of mine.” I give in, grabbing the remote and syncing the devices.
The screen comes alive, and this studio differs from the one Poppy took me to. The crowd of dancers is older and dressed a lot less formally. They form a semi-circle and the music goes on.
Dante slides in front, and less than a second later, Poppy spins in. My eyes fix on her and everyone else disappears. She looks completely different from a few minutes ago. Her hair is tied in two buns on either side of her head, both with small flowers tucked into the top. She’s wearing a sports bra and an oversized tank that is cut off, exposing her stomach. The tight black shorts hug her perfectly, and right above the waistline her jeweled ring sparkles.