“This is nonnegotiable. It’s your medicine.” She waved the spoon in slow circles in front of me. “It demands to be eaten. The sugar and extra-rich chocolate will make you forget your own name. That’s what we’re striving for here. We want you in a complete delirium so nothing can penetrate the fog, and the only way to do that is to ingest it.”
Admitting defeat, I took it from her, opening my mouth wide and placing the entire bite inside. I tugged the spoon out slowly, leaving the remains of a creamy molded mound. “Oh yeah.” My eyes fluttered close. “That hits the spot.”
“See? That’s the delirium talking. It’s totally working.” Poppy handed a spoonful to Annabel, who brought it up to her nose and sniffed. Poppy looked appalled. “What the hell? Why would you sniff ice cream?”
Annabel shrugged. “I sniff just about everything. It’s a habit.”
“Since when?” Poppy demanded.
“Since right this second, when I wanted to know if this ice cream smells like hot chocolate.” Annabel popped the tip of the spoon into her mouth and bit off a sizable chunk, savoring it. “Because I know what your next question will be, no, it doesn’t smell like hot chocolate. It just smells cold.”
Poppy shook her head, pretending to be put out. “See what I have to deal with? Ice cream sniffers, that’s who.”
My phone chimed from its position on the couch.
Our heads turned toward it, none of us speaking.
It was Marco’s tone.
Everybody had an assigned ringtone in my phone, as I found it easier to discern whether I should answer while I was working. It was much easier to decide if I knew who was texting or calling me. It’s called being Organized.
“So, um, are you going to grab that?” Annabel asked. “Or should I? I’m happy to chuck it out the window if you’d like.” She was the closest to the phone, her back resting against the couch.
“That’s kind of you, but I’ll get it.” I leaned over her shoulder to reach for it.
“That’s Marco, isn’t it?” Poppy asked. “Do you want me to prescreen the text?”
I shook my head, taking a breath. “No, I’ve got it.”
Hugging my phone to my chest, I sat back down. I could do this. It’s not like I wasn’t going to have to talk to this man again. We had business meetings together all week. That was, until I revised the schedule.
Before I could draw the phone away to look, Poppy jumped up, calling, “Wait!” She ran into the kitchen.
I glanced over at Annabel. “What’s she doing?”
“I’ve known her my entire life, and I have no frickin’ idea. If she thinks my ice cream sniffing is weird, she hasn’t looked in the mirror lately.” Annabel dipped her spoon back into the ice cream, grinning. “This stuff is really good. I had no idea. I’m more of a cookies-and-cream gal myself.” She took another bite, her eyelids fluttering shut.
Poppy came rushing back with a saltshaker that she thrust into my hand. “Use this first,” she commanded.
I glanced down at the crystal shaker that had been my nana’s, confused. “What am I supposed to do with it?”
“Toss some over your shoulder for luck,” she replied. “It’s supposed to undo all the bad stuff. Don’t ask questions, just do it.” She prodded me on with a flick of her wrist.
I chuckled. “Are you telling me that throwing salt over my shoulder is going to negate me making out with a man, who has a fiancée, in a closet during a party celebrating my lifelong dream of becoming a shop owner in front of a passel of beloved family and friends? Does this saltshaker turn back time?” What I wouldn’t give.
“No, silly. It’s for luck. After the dash of salt, you’re going to find out he’s been in love with you all along and plans to leave his fiancée because it was a bad idea to get engaged in the first place. This saltshaker is going to solve all your problems. I have a good feeling about this!” She clapped her hands.
I glanced at Annabel, who lofted her eyebrows. “When you’re done, hand it to me,” she quipped dryly.
“I’m pretty certain you’ve lost your mind,” I told Poppy. “But I’m going to placate you because you’re asking so sweetly.” I flicked a couple shakes of salt over my shoulder.
The only thing I knew for sure was I’d be vacuuming in the morning. My stick vacuum was the absolute bomb. These tiny grains of salt wouldn’t stand a chance.
I handed the saltshaker to Annabel and brought my phone out in front of me, tapping the screen.
“What does it say?” Poppy urged. “I can’t stand the suspense.”
Instead of telling her, I flipped the phone around so she could read it.
we need to talk.