The tiny seed of affection for Beau that had been planted in my heart, making me feel lighter and giddy, was instantly scooped out. Now I was left feeling—not sadness, because I had no tears for that jerk—but a deep anger that drove through my veins like it would be the sole fuel source that would drive me to succeed with Poppy’s center. I was more determined now than ever. He thought he could sabotage me, but now all I had for him was a deep loathing. I hated myself for ever trying to help that scumbag.
fourteen
Clover
Three weeks later . . .
Mypledgetohavea new work-life balance had been instantly thwarted the day Beau stole my building. Working tirelessly, I applied for grants and networked at every city event I could, to see what additional funding could be found. No matter how hard I pushed, the door was like a pendulum that slammed back much harder in my face. I started to believe what Gary had said.Maybe it was too big of a dream?
As for Beau, that was harder. I finished our thirty-day contract from my office—not stepping foot in the same room with him again. I had Charlotte field all his messages, only speaking to him directly through a few random emails, and if everything went smoothly, I should have my commission check in my bank account today. I wasn’t touching it though. That check was still reserved for Poppy’s center.
As for the emotional stuff, something had grabbed hold of my heart. On the one hand I felt like the biggest fool because I had known he was a horrible person from the start. On the other hand, I couldn’t believe I’d let him con me like that. The worst part was, as hard as I tried to fight it, I couldn’t hate him. Worse, the few times I could allow myself to stop working, my mind would drift to the way it felt to be in his arms when we had danced, to how he looked at me when he said he was going to ask me out. I wanted to hate him for being a con artist, but those moments had felt so real.
Was I that stupid?
Sighing like I had been the last girl picked for a prom date, I closed my computer browser, making it officially the start of my weekend. Not that it mattered because I had now managed to merge my weekends right into more workdays with all my time blurred together by a string on constant work.
“Congratulations on your promotion,” Charlotte’s voice wafted from my office door. “Making partner is a huge deal. Now you can work here forever.”
I tripped over my tongue, spewing out, “Ba ha!” I had worked so insanely hard, and earned that promotion, but I didn’t think I wanted to work here forever. Then again, I wasn’t great at achieving the whole dream thing. I gave her a toothy smile. “Lucky me.” Even though I was sarcastic, I did feel like I had dodged a bullet because the raise I received was enough to continue to pay Lori for watching Poppy. I didn’t care that I was eating plain rice three days a week for dinner. I would skip dinner all together if it meant I could keep Poppy home.
My thoughts were interrupted by Charlotte, “Do you want me to walk with you to see the new helicopter pad?”
“No thanks,” I quipped with my chin down as I tucked my computer into my work bag and searched my desk for my water bottle.
“Construction is supposed to be finished today. I heard Beau’s over there now, doing some sort of victory takeoff.”
“I’m sure he is,” I muttered, not sure why she was torturing me with this knowledge.
“Come on.” She held her hand out like she was trying to coax a two-year-old from crossing an intersection. “Let’s look at it from the corner, and he won’t see us. Then I’ll take you out for a drink and we can find some cute wine boy to flirt with.”
“I’m not in the mood.” I shut off the last of the lights and pulled the door shut behind me. “Thanks for trying to be there for me, but I don’t care about his stupid helicopter pad.”
“Okay.” She lowered her voice as she continued in a tone growing in urgency. “I’m not supposed to tell you this part,” her eyes held a sparkle I assumed was amusement when she went on, “but Beau ishere.”
“What?” I took a reflexive step back, trying to act casual, but I was confused, and maybe getting flustered. I ran my hand over my hair, smoothing it down. “I don’t—” My words dropped because we were no longer alone.
Beau stood outside the door, and my eyes washed over his face. I tried to keep a serious expression, until my eyes hooked on the random head of broccoli he was holding. It looked so odd, I found myself wanting to smile. Oh, but I fought it!
I didn’t want to talk to Beau, and now I was mad at Charlotte. Her smile spread wide across her face. “I told him to wait for us out here,” her voice was rambling now like she was trying to get all her words out before she got into trouble, “and he wanted to surprise you, so I’ll let him speak.”
When I looked back at Beau, I imagined his face sprouting a long chin like Ebenezer Scrooge.Oh, and sideburns and a top hat!That was so going to be my next makeover for him. I willingly pictured all the things as I stubbornly waited for him to speak.
But he didn’t speak, instead, he grabbed my hand. The logical part of my brain said to shake it off, then kick him for touching me, but the sensation of his skin contacting mine sent a spark which trailed all the way up my arm, its sole purpose to disable my arm, and my ability to resist him.
He gently tugged on my arm, pulling me forward, and said, “One block.”
“No!” I snatched my arm back to my side, but he was sneaky because he had managed to pull me far enough down the block from where I could now see around the corner to his stupid helicopter pad. I don’t know why I allowed myself to look. I had avoided this block since I had learned about the demolition. Like passing a car accident my eyes skirted to the side. I half expected my eyes to burn with disgust, but they didn’t because there was no helicopter.
The train depot stood with an obvious refreshing of exterior paint and something else . . . My eyes hooked on the sign above the entrance that read: POPPY’S PLACE.
It wasexactlywhat I had dreamed for Poppy.
Tears welled up, spilling down my cheeks as I thought about all of the memories that Poppy would create here. A safe haven for her to find friends of similar interests, and above everything, a place for her to belong.
No matter who she turned out to be.
A dream come true . . . that I was now confused about.
