BY THE TIME WE PICK Pepper up, he’s been transformed into feline perfection. His black fur gleams likepolished obsidian, his nails have been trimmed and buffed, and he struts around the Velvet Pawlor with his tail held high, as if aware that everyone should stop and admire him.
“He looks very pleased with himself,” Aric observes.
I scoop Pepper into my arms, and he begins purring immediately, rubbing his face against my chin. He even smells good, like cedarwood and a hint of soap. “Thank you, Midge. He looks great.”
“Anytime,” she says, plucking a few black cat hairs from her apron. “Oh, will you let your mom know I’ll be by to put in an order for Yule this week? I know she gets so busy at this time of year.”
I open the flap to Pepper’s carrier and ease him inside; he’s still purring up a storm. “Of course. I’ll let her know.”
“Thank you, Poppy. It was so good seeing you again.”
“You too.” I lift a hand to wave goodbye, then step through the doorway as Aric holds the door open for me.
We walk back through Wysteria, our boots thumping on the sun-warmed cobblestones, Pepper contentedly resting in his carrier.
“Thank you for coming with me,” I say. “I hope you don’t mind that I surprised you with meeting my mom...”
“Not at all,” Aric says, squeezing my hand. “Your mom is great. And Pepper might be even better.”
I laugh, and I’m pretty sure Pepper starts purring louder.
We make it back to the Wandering Cup, and when we step inside, there’s already a customer standing at the front counter.
A man.
And he’s... holding my mom’s hand. And looks to be leaning in for a—
I jolt to a stop, Aric bumping into me from behind, and Mama and the man look over at us, springing apart when they meet our eyes.
“M-Mr. Wilder,” I sputter, recognizing him from when he and Lyra visited us last Yule.
“Oh, Poppy, hello.” He slips his hands into his pockets and takes a subtle step away from the counter. “I was just, uh—”
“Putting in an order for carrot cake,” my mom says quickly. But I can see from way over here that her cheeks are slightly pink.
Pepper lets out a big meow, demanding to be let out of his carrier, and I quickly set it on the floor and open the flap. He trots out, then right over to Mr. Wilder, happily rubbing along his calves.
Which means he knows him—quite well, by the looks of it.
I... think my mom has a boyfriend. And even though I’m surprised, I want her to know that it’s okay. She doesn’t have to hide it from me.
I’ve wanted this for her for a long time. I don’t think she’s dated since Papa died when I was little. He’s the one I got my magic from, yet I wouldn’t be able to remember his face if not for the painted pictures Mama keeps in her room upstairs. I was so young when he passed, I can’t recall much of him, except for the way he smelled: like paper and coffee. Mama says he was an artist, and he’d always have ink-stained fingers and pencil nubs tucked behind his ear.
I wish I could’ve known him.
After zipping the cat carrier back up, I smile at Mr. Wilder and say, “Does Lyra know?”
He and my mom exchange surprised looks. Then he lets out a sigh and gives me a shy smile. “No. Not yet. Do you mind... keeping this between us for now? We were going to tell you both over Yule.”
I nod. “Of course. Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thanks, Poppy.” Mr. Wilder bends to stroke a hand over Pepper’s hair, and he says quietly, “Well, don’t you look dashing, sir.”
I glance at Aric over my shoulder, and we both smile.
“All right, well, I should be going.” Mr. Wilder straightens up, then shoots a nervous glance at me before he steps toward Mama and presses a kiss to her cheek.
Now she’s even brighter pink than before.
