Chapter Three
Poppy
I finish applying my makeup and examine myself in the full-length mirror on the back of my bedroom door.
The pretty emerald-green dress shows a tantalizing hint of cleavage, skimming my fuller curves and ending just below the knee. My silver necklace matches the bracelet around my wrist and the strappy sandals on my feet. My dark hair is swept into a simple updo, leaving a few loose strands to frame my face.
Tonight is Shelby and Anthony’s engagement party. Although we’ve spoken on the phone almost daily, Shelby and I have only managed to meet up once for coffee since the night I found my boyfriend screwing another woman. That was nearly a month ago. She’s been in New York for the last week, visiting with Anthony and his parents before they both headed back to Houston for tonight’s celebration.
As I drive to the party, I recall my final words to Jeremy, who called me the following day, spouting excuses and begging me to forgive him.
You got your dick wet in another woman, Jeremy. There’s no coming back from that.
I haven’t heard diddly-shit from him since. If the last month has taught me anything, it’s that I’m better off without him in my life because the truth is, he was never really in my life. Like me, he had a rough time growing up, and it’s evident to me now that we were only together because neither of us wanted to be alone. That’s certainly no basis for a relationship.
I pull up at the venue, The Lockhart Club, an elite membership-only establishment. Tonight, I get a free pass, courtesy of Shelby.
The door opens automatically as I approach, and a pretty woman is waiting to greet me at a hostess podium. She’s blonde and curvy with bright blue eyes and a warm smile.
“Hi, I’m Rosie, the hostess for tonight. How can I help you?” she asks politely.
“I’m here for the England and—" My voice trails off as I suddenly realize I don’t know Anthony’s surname.
“The Shelby England and Anthony Russo engagement party?” the woman grins, helping me out.
“That’s the one,” I nod gratefully.
“Follow me, and I’ll take you through,” Rosie says, indicating I should follow her. “It’s a bit of a maze,” she chuckles, leading me along a corridor.
She turns right and left and right again until I wonder if I’ll ever find my way out. Maybe that’s the idea—keep the guests trapped here so they have to spend their money. Finally, we arrive at a large function room where she leaves me with another warm smile.
Several round tables are spaced at intervals, beautifully laid with pristine tableware and fresh flowers. The room has a bar and bartender, and there’s a small, raised stage area in the corner, already set up with a drum kit, keyboard, and microphone stand, ready for the band later. Yep, no expense spared here, and this is just the engagement party. God alone knows what the actual wedding reception will look like!
Shelby spots me hovering by the door and squeals in a very unladylike manner as she runs to greet me.
This is why I love her. She may come from money, but she doesn’t give a shit what people think.
“I’m so glad you’re here!” she says, pulling me into a hug.
I laugh, hugging her back. “Where else would I be?”
“At home, in your PJ’s, eating your body weight in butter popcorn,” she replies immediately.
And this is why I hate her. She knows all my deep, dark secrets.
Shelby smiles and turns to the tall man who appears behind her. “Poppy, this is my fiancé, Anthony. Anthony, this is my bestie, Poppy.”
I reach out to shake his hand, but he surprises me by pulling me in for a hug.
“Good to meet you, Poppy. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he says, his blue eyes twinkling as he releases me.
“Uh, oh! She didn’t tell you about the time I accidentally knocked her in the duck pond, did she? Or when I got her to squirt water at her neighbor from the bathroom window? Poor guy had no idea where it was coming from. Ooh, and then there was that time when—"
“Okay, okay! Enough with the trip down memory lane!” Shelby cuts across me, pretending to cover my mouth with her hand.
“Seriously, it’s nice to finally meet you,” I smile at Anthony.
“Likewise, Poppy,” he replies warmly. He looks at Shelby. “I think we’re going to get on well,” he says in a loud whisper, hitching a thumb in my direction.