Her voice softens slightly. “I think they deserve that.”
I study her for a moment.
Then I nod—once, short and clipped. “I’ll figure something out.”
She blinks. “Wait, really?”
“Don’t get excited. It’s not a yes.”
“But it’s not a no.”
I give her a firm look. “It’s a conditional maybe.”
Just as Poppy opens her mouth to say something else—something smug, probably—we hear it.
“Muffin? Muuuuuffinnn?”
I close my eyes.
Poppy tilts her head. “Friend of yours?”
Over the hedge comes the unmistakable sound of Velcro sandals slapping against the ground. Moments later, Nadine emerges on the path, visor cocked to one side and wearing what I can only assume are orthopedic walking shoes.
She stops when she sees us.
“Oh.” She glances between me and Poppy, her tone already loaded with meaning. “Well. Isn’t this cozy.”
“Nadine,” I say tightly.
“Muffin wandered off again,” she says, heading closer. “You know how she gets. Separation anxiety, gut sensitivity—all the things.”
Muffin, traitorous as ever, lets out a happy grunt from where she’s now firmly planted on Poppy’s feet.
Nadine squints. “She likes you.”
“She’s perfect,” Poppy says with a warm smile, bending down to scratch Muffin’s ears. “We bonded.”
“Oh, I can tell,” Nadine replies, as if that’s not a compliment. She turns back to me. “This one’s new.”
I grit my teeth. “This is Poppy Monroe. She’s the wedding planner.”
Poppy extends her hand, radiating sunshine and professionalism. “Hi! Nice to meet you.”
Nadine ignores the handshake entirely.
“She doesn’t look like a wedding planner,” she remarks.
I lift an eyebrow. “Whatdoesa wedding planner look like, Nadine?”
“Less… California,” she replies, adjusting her visor as if she’s just delivered a critical diagnosis. “You know. Less leggy, more librarian.”
Poppy smiles politely, but her grip on Muffin tightens slightly.
“Anyway,” Nadine continues, already pulling out her phone. “If Muffin’s going to be over here all the time—and sheis, let’s be honest—you should really brush her out. She gets mats, especially when she’s emotional.”
“I’ll pencil it in,” I mutter.
“Oh, and I hope she didn’t interrupt anything.” Nadine gives a little wave, already turning back toward the hedge. “Although judging by the tension in the air, I’d saysomeonejust got told no.”
