Page 9 of Friends Don't

Peachy.

“Oh, good, Mack, you’re here.” Heather stands from behind her desk to greet him, but Mack waves her off.

“Sit down.”

She huffs and begrudgingly does as she’s told. “I’m pregnant, not incapacitated.”

“Still, no need to be a hero.” Mack strides into the room and takes a seat in the chair next to mine. I catch a whiff of his minty scent, same as it was this morning. So much for my hope that I wouldn’t have to see this guy too often.

“Poppy, this is Mack. Mack, Poppy.”

I shoot Mack a look. He’s staring back at me, and this is the first time I can see his eyes. When Holland introduced us earlier this morning, Mack was still wearing his baseball cap. He shook my hand and then gave Holland and me some space. I appreciated that.

Now, he’s without his hat, and his eyes laser into mine.

I don’t know what I expected, but I guess I figured he’d resemble Holland, who’s got these golden-brown eyes that remind me of maple syrup. But that’s not what I see when my gaze latches onto Mack’s.

His eyes are charcoal gray. Like they were once lit, but the fire has been snuffed out.

“We’ve met.” I extend my hand to him and try to arrange my face into an expression to match the moment. How do you say,Hey, you’ve seen me in my bath towel, and that was weird for both of us, but let’s please forget it ever happened and move on,with a look and a smile?

Mack shakes my hand and nods once before turning his attention back to Heather.

“Of course.” She looks up to the ceiling like she’s kicking herself for not putting it together.“The Holland connection.”

Mack grunts, and I beam.

“That should make things easier, then. Mack knows everyone in town, Poppy. You can go to him with any issues or concerns. He’s in charge of getting the park in order for the day of the event. You two are going to be working together closely to make sure the Party in the Park goes off without a hitch in my absence. I would suggest meeting regularly to ensure you’re on the same page. Mack, I’m counting on you to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Poppy’s good. Her resume precedes her, but she’s not local. You know how things go around here.”

I might be imagining it, but Mack’s cheeks look like they’ve turned a pale shade of pink. He dips his chin in response to Heather.

I’m pretending to make notes on my tablet so that I look like I know what I’m doing. Idoknow what I’m doing. It’s just that Mack’s presence makes me a little nervous. If I’m being honest, I’d like for Holland’s family to like me.

I glance up and smile at Heather before cutting another look in Mack’s direction, doing my best to look polished and unflustered by our brief and embarrassing history. “Perfect. I appreciate any help you can provide, Mack.”

He grunts again. That seems to be his baseline. I swear the man has not spoken more than five combined words to me.

Heather’s door swings open, and a man I don’t recognize pops his head in. “Arnold, let’s have our meeting in my office.”

Heather nods. “Be right there, boss. First, let me introduce you to our newest employee. Poppy, this is Mayor Witmore.” She motions to me, and I stand, extending a hand. Mayor Witmore has a round belly, and he’s wearing a blue polo shirt that’s tucked into creased khaki pants. His cheeks are slightly rosy, and he’s got a receding hairline.

“Nice to meet you, sir.”

“You as well.” He offers me a genuine smile. “Holler if you need anything. Happy to have you on board.”

I warm at the welcome.

Heather makes to stand, looking between Mack and me. “You two will be great. Obviously, I’m around until I’m not”—she points at her watermelon-shaped belly—“so don’t be afraid to ask questions while I’m here, Poppy. I’m happy to be a resource. Then, Mack can take it from there.”

She makes her way out the door, and it snaps shut behind her.

I’m left sitting next to Mack, and the silence in the room is deafening. I need to do something to quell the awkwardness that’s threatening to suffocate me.

“Okay. Can I have a do-over?” I turn in my seat and hold out my hand for Mack. “I’m Poppy Kasper. It’s nice to meet you.”

Mack takes my proffered hand. “Kasper? Like the ghost?”

I crack a grin. “One and the same. Except with a K.”

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