Page 3 of My Merry Mistake
“It’s a nickname,” Poppy says. “He’s super sweet. You guys will love him.” She looks at me, then at Eloise. “Well, one of you will anyway.”
I frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She shakes her head, an innocent look on her face. “Nothing, it’s just—you know.”
“No, I don’t know,” I say as we get out of the car, and I lock the doors.
“You don’t really like people,” Eloise says. Somehow, her bluntness manages to still come across as sweet. Like there’s a hint of an apology, which is so Eloise.
“I like people,” I object. “Some people, anyway.”
We stop in front of the elevators and Poppy presses the button to go up. They look at each other, then Poppy says, “You’re just sort of, you know . . .”
At the same time Eloise says, “Bossy,” Poppy says, “Rude.” Poppy winces.
I cross my arms over my chest and feel instantly self-conscious. My dress isn’t staying where I put it, and it’s way more low-cut than anything else I own.
I also very much regret the push-up bra.
“I’m not rude, I’m honest,” I reason.
They look at each other, and then back at me.
“And quit ganging up on me, will you?” I don’tmeanto be rude. I’m focused. I have a million things on my mind and, more often than not, a million responsibilities. I can’t help it—this is just how I am.
“Okay, rude is the wrong word,” Poppy says. “Maybe . . . ‘direct’ is better? You just never turn your work personality off.”
“Maybe just for tonight you could, I don’t know—let your guard down a little?” Eloise reaches over and quietly unfolds my arms, pushing them down at my sides.
“Hubba, hubba,” she says, raising her eyebrows up and down, looking at my chest.
I gasp and fold them back. “El! Seriously!”
The two of them giggle, and a part of me softens. I don’t laugh, because for some reason I don’t want them to know I thought it was funny too.
Even though it totally was.
Why do I do that?
As the numbers above the doors ascend, I can hear the elevator slowing. “You really want me to let my guard down at a party full of hockey players? No, thank you.” We step into the elevator, and I blow out a breath.
I stand up a bit straighter and pull up the front of my costume, searching for an inch more of modesty. “Besides, one of us has to have common sense tonight.”
“In case you missed it, Ray, we are actually full-grown adults,” Poppy says.
I look at Eloise and raise my eyebrows.
“I am anyway.” Poppy grins at me, and Eloise frowns.
“Hey! I’m an adult.” She shifts her Rainbow Brite costume.
Poppy giggles, and this time, I do too.
After a pause, my middle sister looks at me. “Ray, all I’m saying is that maybe if you loosened up a bit, let your hair down,had a bit of fun, you might meet someone. You haven’t dated anyone in months.”
“I like being single,” I say, but even I don’t believe myself. Still, I double down on the lie. “I don’t have to answer to anyone or be responsible for anyone else’s feelings. I can do whatever I want—whenever I want. I can spend all night dancing around my house in my underwear, eating Chinese takeout, and leave the mess on the counter if I want to.”
“Have youeverdone any of those things?” Eloise asks, even though we all know the answer.
