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CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

HERBS AND SPICY

POPPY

The house smells like sage and rosemary, with a hint of cinnamon lingering from the apple cider simmering on the stove. We’ve pushed together extra tables and borrowed chairs so everyone can sit around the long makeshift dining arrangement. Friendsgiving at our place has turned into an extravaganza. It’s not just our friends; it’s our families too, all mingling as if they’ve known each other forever.

Rhodes’ parents are even here and I absolutely love them. I confess to being more than a little starstruck by both of them. I’ve watched Troy Archer’s movies from the time I was a little girl, and I’ve followed Amara in magazines and on social media for almost as long. My mom always loved them too and she and Amara hit it off right away.

Jonas dozes in a sling against my chest, his breathing rising and falling in a rhythm that calms me. I’m absolutely obsessed with him. We all are. Becca adores him. She’s flitting around, greeting everyone, and then comes back to check on her baby brother every few minutes. She shows off her frame collection to anyone who will look, now featuring multiple pictures of Jonas.

Mrs. McGregor fusses in the kitchen, making sure all the dishes have a serving spoon. My mom chats with Bowie’s mom near the fireplace, the two of them looking over my way every now and then with proud looks. Marley and Eric stand by the dessert table, laughing with Tru, as they watch Caleb and Levi cooing over Avery. Tobias—yes, Tobias actually came—is sitting in the living room with Rhodes and Weston, trading quiet jokes and stories, and I can see Bowie chuckling from across the room.

I catch Bowie’s eye and he gives me the slow, contented smile that makes his eyes crinkle at the corners. In that moment, I can feel all the effort, all the love…all the changes in him that have led us here. He comes over, slipping an arm around my waist and pressing a kiss to Jonas’s head.

After everyone’s settled with plates heaped high, the room fills with a buzz as everyone talks and eats.

“Just putting it out there, I volunteer to taste-test every dessert,” Penn says.

“One bite per pie,” Sadie says then laughs. “Kidding!” she sings.

Bowie clears his throat. It’s subtle, but everyone knows to stop and listen when he decides to speak. “So,” he starts, glancing around the table. “We’ve been thinking about doing something special in February…”

Everyone perks up, curious.

Bowie takes a breath. “We’re considering a trip. A family vacation…a friend-family vacation,” he adds, smiling around the table. “Everyone who can come, really. The season will be over by then, and we’d like to go to the Bahamas.”

“Ooo,” Elle squeals. “I’m in.”

She smiles at Rhodes, who nods. “If she’s in, you know I am too.”

“And,” Bowie says, squeezing my hand, “we’d like to have a tropical wedding there. I know we’re already married…” He glances at me with a grin, letting me know he’s not discounting our spontaneous hospital wedding. “But I want to give Poppy the day she deserves. Something relaxed, fun, and about celebrating all of you…all of us. Nothing stressful at all, just us, exchanging vows in the sunshine and having a good time together.”

“It’s a good month for a honeymoon,” Weston says, grinning. “And for celebrating an anniversary.”

“You’ll have two anniversaries!” Sadie says, turning to me.

I love the way we got married in the hospital, love having Poppy Fox on our baby’s birth certificate, love knowing I’m his wife…but I love this too, the thought of us doing something special to celebrate when I’m not in the throes of labor.

Penn taps a dramatic hand to his chest. “Do I get to perform the ceremony again?” he asks.

There’s a ripple of laughter and Penn looks around indignantly.

“I take my duties seriously!” he says .

“Absolutely,” Bowie says without missing a beat. “You’re our official man of the cloth now.”

Henley snorts, pulling The Single Dad Playbook out of his bag, and he pretends to write in it. “Big news: Penn is now the permanent officiant of all Mustangs weddings.”

Penn waves a hand, as if overwhelmed by the honor. “It’s a good thing the rest of you are married already…my schedule’s booking up fast.”

Elle’s phone buzzes on the coffee table. “Sorry,” she says, standing up. “I meant to turn that off.” Her smile falters when she sees the number and she snatches it up quickly.

The room’s chatter dips for a moment, but resumes when she slips into the hallway, pressing the phone to her ear. When she comes back a few minutes later, she’s practically glowing. “Guys,” she says, voice breathless, “that was my agent. There’s a movie deal in the works for It Was Always You …like it’s happening , happening. No more maybes.”

Tru nearly chokes on her cider. Rhodes is on his feet, hugging Elle so tightly, she squeaks. The rest of us surround her, huddling together to congratulate her.

“You’ve poured your heart into this story. I’m so excited for you, Elle,” I say.

She wipes her eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“I can’t wait to see who they get to play Ryder and Eliza,” Tru says, sighing wistfully.

Elle turns and hugs Rhodes’ parents. “Thank you for whatever strings you pulled,” she says.

“This was all you, my dear,” Troy Archer says in his rich British accent. “I didn’t have to say a word,” he says, winking at her.

“Hmm, I don’t know if I believe you, but either way, I’m thrilled.” Elle laughs.

Later, after we’ve cleared the dishes, too full for dessert just yet, the girls and I are huddled in the living room, looking at Pinterest and talking about dresses. Elle perches on the arm of the couch as she looks over Tru’s shoulder at the laptop screen.

“Linen dresses?” she asks.

“I vote for knockout gowns,” Sadie says.

“Or full tropical glam with flower crowns,” Tru says.

“Let’s not forget we’ll be near the ocean,” Marley says, always the practical one. “Wind plus flowers equals a potential fashion disaster.” She grins, shrugging. “You want all that drama?”

I laugh, leaning back and smiling down at Jonas, who’s just opening his eyes. “You guys, remember—low-key. I got married in a hospital wearing pajamas. I’m not exactly a diva. I promise not to turn into Bridezilla once we get there either.”

Elle exchanges a look with Tru. “We hear ya. We went low-key too. And this one didn’t even invite us,” she says, pointing at Tru.

Tru makes a face. “Guilty. We figured there was always time for a good party together,” she says, laughing.

“Your wedding was still gorgeous, Elle. And I’m sure yours was too, Tru,” Sadie says, teasing Tru with a pointed look. “I can’t believe I’m the only one who went the whole nine yards.”

“It was classy and elegant,” Tru says.

“The most beautiful wedding,” Elle agrees.

“Whatever you want, Poppy. Whether it’s elaborate mermaid tails or color-coordinated outfits or barefoot in sundresses, that’s what we’ll do,” Sadie says.

I motion for Tru to hand me the laptop and I pull up a picture. “It’s funny you say mermaid because that’s in the description of this dress…although I don’t know why.” They ooh and ahh over the plunging boho lace dress I show them. “I can just slide that strap down when Jonas wants to nurse?—”

“And still look like a freaking goddess,” Elle finishes. “That is stunning, Poppy.”

Everyone else agrees.

“And Bowie will be sliding that strap down the first chance he gets,” Calista says under her breath.

We all laugh.

“I was thrilled to be in the clear for sex again,” Tru whispers. “We didn’t make it to the six-week mark.” She makes a face.

“Do most people?” Sadie asks. “It’s hard to imagine going that long without.”

“It’s hard for me to imagine wanting to have sex after a baby’s come out of there,” Calista says, shuddering. She’s late from being at her family’s event and takes her shoes off, getting comfortable.

“I’m with you,” Marley says.

My face heats as I think about last night with Bowie. He told me not to when I surprised him in the shower and took his hot, hard length into my mouth. He didn’t want me to feel like I had to do anything while I’m still recovering. I ignored him, and later, when he was chanting my name in reverent gasps, I was glad I had.

The worship in his eyes, watching him fall apart because of me…it’s such a powerful feeling.

“You filthy little minx,” Marley says, nudging me. “You’ve already had sex, haven’t you?”

“What? No, it’s not been four weeks yet,” I say adamantly, like she’s crazy. “But there’s no way I can wait until six,” I add, blushing a deeper red.

We all laugh.

Martha comes over and sidles up next to me and Jonas, plopping down with a thunk. The girls lose it, laughing harder, and it’s only then that I look down to see that the little hair Martha has is splayed out in every direction with a severe case of static cling.

“Oh my goodness, Martha,” I crack up. “Wow. You make every day feel like a good hair day for me…not for you unfortunately, but I love you anyway.”