“Sorry we’re late. Traffic on the freeway was bad. What’d we miss?” Shannon asks.
“Nick just scored a goal,” Anna says.
Shannon beams. She and Anna look a lot alike. They have the same eye color—a shade lighter than the deep bourbon of Nick’s eyes. And their hair is lighter than Nick’s, too. Anna’s is light brown, while Shannon’s is blonder. They have the same petite build, except Anna is a few inches taller than her mom.
“That’s our boy,” Scott says before then heading down to the glass to film so more on his phone.
Shannon turns to me, a bright smile on her face. She gives my hand a soft squeeze. “It’s so good to see you, Poppy. I feel like I don’t see you much now that you girls are in college.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I guess I’ve been staying pretty busy.”
“Try insanely busy,” Anna says. “Poppy’s always on the go. Such an overachiever with her full schedule and her job at the Writing Center and her volunteer work.”
“That sounds like you too, sweetheart,” Shannon says. Anna smiles and shrugs.
“You girls are just amazing. So smart and driven and hardworking.” She gives my hand another squeeze. “I know I’ve said it a million times, but I’m so glad you’re Anna’s best friend.”
I blush at Shannon’s praise. She’s always been so sweet and supportive of me. Always showering me with praise and building me up. That’s part of why I loved going over to Anna’s house all the time, Shannon was always so nice and welcoming. It was a nice break from being at my house and around my parents, who were always pushing me to do more.
“Your parents really hit the jackpot with you, Poppy,” Shannon says. “How have they been? Busy with work, I bet?”
“Yeah, like always.”
“How was that conference they went to last month that you mentioned?” Shannon asks.
“Good, I think. I’ll ask them the next time I talk to them,” I try to smile, despite the gnawing feeling in my gut.
I’ve been putting off calling them for our usual catch-up chat every week because I know their first question is going to be if I got that internship. I can just imagine the lecture I’m going to get from them about all the things I could have done differently to get it.
“It’s nice to see you girls out instead of studying for once,” Shannon says. “It’s been ages since we’ve seen you at a hockey game, Poppy.”
I tuck my hair behind my ear, working up the nerve to tell her about Nick and me.
“Well, um, I figured I should. Since Nick and I are, um, dating.”
Shannon’s gold-brown eyes go wide as she gaps. “Oh my goodness, are you serious?”
I smile, hoping it looks natural. But she barely looks at me before pulling me into a tight hug.
“Oh, this is just the best news ever!” She squeezes me hard.
“Is it?” I chuckle.
She leans back, breaking our hug, but holds my face in her hands. “Absolutely, it is. Her eyes are bright, and she’s never looked happier.
“Easy, Mom. It’s not like they’re getting married. They’re just dating,” Anna says.
“Oh, I know that. I’m just so excited! You two have known each other since elementary school, and now look at you. A couple!”
She squeezes my hand. “So what did Nick do to charm you? Because as much as I love my son, I have to admit, he’s not much of a thinker.” She chuckles. “All the boys you dated in high school were pretty darn smart. And I mean, I get it. You’re so smart, just like my Anna. You need a guy who can hold their own in a conversation with you. That’s why Anna never dates.”
Anna wrinkles her nose. “Oh my god, Mom. Please no more comments about my dating life.”
Shannon pats her daughter’s hand and gives her a warm look. “I’m not saying a word.” She turns back to me. “All of my focus is on how amazing it is that Poppy and Nick are a couple.”
My cheeks flush as I try to think of a convincing lie to tell this sweet woman. “Well, I, um, started tutoring him for school. All that time spent together made me see him in a different light.”
She smiles at me, clearly waiting for me to say more.
