Page 64 of Half Baked

“One more question. What do I wear?”

Chapter 28

Poppy

“Where is that one great dress you bought last year but haven’t worn?”

“I’m going to need more details than that,” I laugh shakily. Everything about me has been shaky this morning.

“You know, the classy but drop dead gorgeous one,” Wren adds, digging through my closet.

“Still no idea. But if I own it, then it’s in there.” Pulling at my bottom lip, I ask, “Is it normal to wear dresses to this? I don’t want to stand out.”

My friends all exchange a glance then look down at their own outfits. Every single one of them is in a dress. How did I not notice that? It’s safe to say I’m feeling nervous.

“How many people go to this thing?” I ask, crossing my legs on my bed and watching Ivy go over to help Wren look for the supposed perfect dress.

“It used to be huge. People would come in from their dad’s company and stay at Cliff House, partying for a week,” Wren explains from my closet.

“Now, it’s really just our group. Plus Hayden’s air sea team will be there, at least one or two firefighters probably, and Millie and sometimes another deputy or so. Mrs. Silberman comes,and Beckett invited his two closest friends from Boston this year. Their names are Charlie and Stephen, also a pair of brothers. I’ve met Charlie, he’s nice. Ivy’s parents, my dad, and Millie will bring Nessa. Pretty much everyone we always celebrate with, that’s why it’s so exciting you are finally coming,” Stevie says eagerly.

“That is way more than just our group.”

“Found it,” Ivy shouts, holding up the dress in question.

I have to say, it is a good choice. It was more expensive than I should have allowed myself to spend, but it was the most flattering thing I had ever tried on. I couldn’t get myself to walk away from it at the boutique in Fenbury.

Wren passes over the dress that was made for me triumphantly. Today is starting to look up if the clambake is an excuse to finally wear this. To finally say I didn’t waste the little money I have on it.

In off-white linen and wide straps cross my back—a tasteful take on an open back dress. From the front, it comes together to a narrow, deep V-neck with a structured, snatched waist. It falls straight, tight enough to accentuate my hips but not to the point of being a painted-on look. I do love this dress.

“And you need a swimsuit, we always swim at some point,” Wren adds, watching me admire my dress in the mirror.

Honestly, this clambake sounds fun. Why did I let myself miss out for so long? I shake the thought from my head. No overthinking. Today is about what feels right.

“Okay, well pick me out one of those too then.”

Ivy nods, turning to my dresser next. “What about that one bikini you have with the—here it is.” She pulls out my baby blue triangle bikini with the tiny floral pattern. “This looks great with your hair.”

“Oh, and grab the white denim shorts to go over it,” Stevie adds from her spot on my bed.

With my outfits all picked out, they get me dressed and my hair done in loose beach waves. Whether I feel it or not, they have me ready to go and I start down the stairs.

A part of me wants to turn and run back to my room, hiding away from the pressure of today. But then I remember the look in Hayden’s eyes when I told him I would come, and I’m so lost in the memory, I completely miss one of the stairs beneath my feet. Wren catches my arm and grins at my blushing cheeks.

“Excited?” she asks.

“Did you ever think there would come a day when Poppy was excited to go see Hayden?” Ivy muses from the doorway, waiting for us to catch up.

I hold my hand up in protest. “Ugh, stop. Distract me, please.”

We make our way down the front steps and out to Stevie’s waiting Jeep. Climbing into the seat behind me, Ivy says, “Okay, well how is the show going?”

“Oh my gosh,” I groan. “I’ve been meaning to tell you all, Tara called this impromptu meeting with us to say that she found out who Hayden is. As in, his family legacy.”

“Shit.”

“No, that’s awful.”

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