Page 44 of Backlash

“Miracle worker,” she says, “and she deserves the title. She’s on her way. We need to get you ready for your first job.”

“I don’t need to do any of that. It’s going to be awkward and terrible. I should probably just sell.”

“No!” Kai and Poppy yell in unison.

“I’ll take this one,” Kai says to her. He puts an arm around my shoulder. “They know you own the place. So what? Own it. Treat people well. Do the work how you think it should be done. People will think what you let them think—until you show them differently. Trust me.”

Kai would be an authority on the matter. I understand what they’re trying to tell me, but it doesn’t make me feel that I’m making the right choice. “The truth is that when Sterling showed back up, I was ready. Ready to claim my life. Ready to be on my own.”

“And that hasn’t changed! So, they know who you are. Go show them you deserve their respect,” he adds.

“Yeah?” He makes it sound so easy. “How?”

“I’ll tell you what Simon Cowell told me: fake it until you make it,” he says with a laugh.

“And that’s where Elsi comes in,” Poppy adds. “And while we’re on the subject, are you planning to… um… decorate?”

“Is there something wrong with this place?” I pretend to be offended.

“Not for a fifty year-old woman,” Kai says.

“You need someplace—”“Sexy,” Kai finishes.

“And chic,” Poppy says.

“And minimalist,” Kai adds.

“Bright and airy.”

“Okay! Okay!” I surrender. “I already told them to send the house decorator.”

“I’ll speak with her,” Poppy says seriously. “Now take that onesie off before Elsi gets here.”

“It’s not a onesie,” I argue as she shoves me into the attached bedroom.

“Whatever you have to tell yourself, darling!”

When the familiar knock comes from the door there are cucumber slices on my eyes and my nails have just been painted a smokey purple-gray. Poppy darts off to answer it. She reappears holding a large box. “More gifts from Sterling.”

“Get rid of it,” I tell her, but she’s already opening the box.

She lets out a little moan when she sees what’s inside. “It’s chocolates from La Bonne Bouché.”

“Get rid of it,” I repeat.

She ignores me, dropping the box on the entry table before plucking a truffle from the pink tissue paper inside. “You can throw away flowers, but a girl never throws away chocolate.”

“I agree with her,” Kai calls through a sheet mask.

I shrug, pretending that I have no interest in them. The truth is, part of me enjoys torturing Sterling. I don’t want the gifts, but I don’t want them to stop coming. My stomach does a flip when I realize why.

“Has he called today?” Poppy asks.

“He will.”

She looks far too pleased at the prospect. Since I finally hooked up with Sterling, she is feeling either vindicated or hopeful. I’m not sure which is worse.

“Who do you think he was?” Poppy asks, popping another truffle into her mouth.