Brida Pact
Page 31
“When did you find out?” Poppy asked, so stunned that she could only sit there with her mouth hanging open.
“I noticed mistakes that even an idiot shouldn’t be making with the bookkeeping. One night, I decided to take home the extra work that she’d been making for me and found Brenda in bed with Brian apparently doing her extra work. Well, technically they were on the couch.”
“No! Fuck! I loved that couch.” Poppy made a disgusted face at the camera. “Now I feel the need to go and dip myself in antibacterial soap.”
“Yeah, needless to say that is one piece of furniture I didn’t take with me when I left.”
“Fuck. Me.” Unable to believe what she was hearing, Poppy reached for one of the donuts that was ever present at her side. As she stuffed her face, she waved her hand to get Pixie to keep spilling the beans.
“Nope, it was Brenda fucking Brian. Plain as day.”
“What did you do?” Face stuffed with a donut, Poppy’s words came out mumbled but Pixie got the drift.
“Well, I told her she was fired and I told him to fuck off.”
“Wait…you asked me not to be mad earlier. What would I be mad about that for?” Wondering where this was going was making Poppy crave another donut.
“After I cleaned house at work and at home, I realized I was going to follow in my sister’s footsteps.” Pixie smiled at Poppy and seemed pleased with herself.
“I don’t get it.”
“I walked my happy ass down to the Intake Center and filled out a bridal application.” Recoiling back from the screen as if she were waiting for Poppy to reach through and strangle her, Pixie waited a minute before opening her eyes and seeing what her sister’s reaction was.
“You what!” Where were more fucking donuts when you needed one…or five? Poppy thought.
“Okay, I thought this through. I’m single. I knew that with the Brenda-the-bitch fiasco at work, my boss was not going to be okay with me staying on since I let her get away with fucking up for so long. The biggest thing though is…I missed my sister.”
Pausing for a moment, Pixie seemed as if she were going to cry. “Poppy, I want what you have. I’ve never seen you happier than you are right now. You have a gorgeous man who adores you, a baby on the way, and you’re living a life I’m truly jealous of.”
“I don’t know what to say, Pixie.” Poppy truly didn’t. Pixie had always seemed to have her shit under control and thought everything through to the point of obsession. Her path had seemed to be laid out from the time she started college: finish school, find a management job and marry the man she had been dating for years. Her two planned kids were scheduled to follow three years apart after the honeymoon was over. This seemed so out of character that Poppy hoped Pixie didn’t end up regretting her decision.
“But, Pixie, I thought Earth received the press release from Phaeton that there would be a halt on bride matching. With the system down, they’re working hard to get it going as soon as possible but it could be a while before you’re selected.” Feeling a tiny bit better that Pixie would have time to rethink her decision, she calmed slightly.
“Actually the whole Brian/Brenda clusterfuck happened a while ago and my application was matched before that asshole kidnapped you.” Seeing Poppy wasn’t understanding what she was saying, Pixie smirked and explained, “I was one of the matches that was pulled before the system went down.”
“Oh.” Not sure what else to say, Poppy sat there quietly for a moment. “Do you know who your future husband is?” Trying to stay positive, she thought to make the best of a situation that was worrying her.
“Yes I do, and the good thing is you know him too.” Pixie had that look on her face she got when she had a secret.
“Oh really?” Consumed with wonder as to who it might be, she wished Pixie would just spit it out.
“Yep. We would have already started our trial period, but he’s been too busy to come to Earth to fill out paperwork.” Grinning widely, she clapped her hands together. “This means that I will be on Squadron One once you get close enough to Earth.”
“Who. Is. It?” Poppy was sure Pixie was doing this on purpose. Even when they were little, Pixie would always drag things out just to drive her crazy. She loved her sister dearly but dear god she was ready to reach through the screen and strangle her.
“Okay, okay, okay, keep your ass calm before you go into labor.” Pointing her finger at the screen, Pixie gave the order. “You’d better not have that baby until I get there, bish. I mean it!”
“Pixie! Who the fuck is it?” If she kept this up, Poppy was going to have her baby right before Pixie got there just to fuck with her.
“My future loving, gorgeous husband is…drum roll please…” Pixie drummed her hands on the counter in front of her.
Poppy folded her arms across her chest, not at all amused. “Piiiiiiixiiiiiie.” Raising her eyebrows, she leveled her with a glare.
“Jesus, Pissy Poppy, you take all the fun out of things. I was matched with Dathrow.”
“Oh fuck.” Realizing she’d whispered it out loud when Pixie stared at her in confusion, Poppy stuttered, “I… I… I mean…ummm… Dathrow? Really?”
Not knowing what was winging through Poppy’s head, Pixie smiled and nodded. “Yeah, you remember him, right? He was here with Wheaton when you first met.”
“Of course I remember him.” Figuring now was a good time to end the conversation before she said something that would freak Pixie out, she changed the subject and then told Pixie she couldn’t wait to see her soon.
After logging off, Poppy sat in the chair for a little longer while she went over their conversation again in her head.
Pixie had been matched to Dathrow.
Pixie. Had. Been. Matched. To. Dathrow.
Dathrow, who had become one of Poppy’s closest friends. Dathrow, who at one point had been a second match for Poppy. The same warrior who had gone to the Council and been transferred to another ship because of his attraction to her. That same Dathrow had been matched to her sister.
Getting up and walking to the kitchen for another donut, there was one thing Poppy knew without a doubt.
Things were about to get interesting.
About Leora Gonzales
I am an original Kansas girl who misses the Sunflower State every day. I spend my time reading and writing making sure my two kids don’t kill themselves or each other. My addictions include tattoos, cursing, good food and good company (not necessarily in that order). I believe that tough moments in life can be combated with good humor, and I find a reason to laugh or smile daily.
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Bridal Pact
ISBN 9781419992896
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Bridal Pact Copyright © 2015 Leora Gonzales
Edited by Rebecca Fairfax
Cover design by Allyse Leodra
Cover photography by Shutterstock
Electronic book publication August 2015
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