1. A New Life

Twenty Years Later

"Sage,"Poppy Bloom-McGill said, coming into her office. "Sorry to bother you, but the condo association just reached out to me. There are some condos having work done in the building and the men will be in your place tomorrow morning. They need someone there. I guess they have to check to make sure it won't affect you or something. Not sure of the details, but hopefully someone will explain it then."

"Oh," she said.

Sage had been living in Mystic for six months since she'd been hired as the Marketing Director for Blossoms.

She knew she most likely got the job because her new sister-in-law, Violet, was the manager of the flower shop below her office.

Just another thing that felt like she couldn't do for herself, but she tried not to complain since she loved her job so much.

Not only that, she had a beautiful condo she rented that all but fell into her lap when two other employees, Heather and Daisy, both moved out to live with their fiancés. It was Poppy's condo that she'd kept and rented out when she moved in with her now husband.

A new job, a new place to live, and a new life that she so desperately needed.

Did she run away from her past life? Yes, she sure the hell did and wasn't even going to argue it.

"You can work from home tomorrow," Poppy said. "Not a big deal."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Positive," Poppy said. "You know that. Whether you sit in the office here or sit in the one at your place doesn't make a difference."

"True," she said. "I just don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of anything."

Poppy laughed at her. "Really? You're here before the rest of us most times. You've got freaking awesome ideas and have helped increase our reach and sales. You were helping out long before we hired you when I'd talked to you before."

It made her feel good to hear that.

Over the past two years, Poppy or Lily had reached out and run ideas by her or asked for tips and pointers. They didn't have a marketing person and were doing most of it themselves.

Violet would ask her questions too and she'd always been willing to help out.

The Bloom sisters even paid her for her time though she'd never wanted it.

They'd argued it was her job and career and they weren't going to take advantage of her.

"That's just me helping out Violet. Or Violet's family."

Poppy grinned. "We do that here. Help each other out. So sleep in tomorrow and work from home. They aren't sure when the electricians will show up. Got to love the whole ‘between the hours of ten and two.'"

"In that case, guess I'll be home tomorrow," she said, laughing. "I can exercise in the morning and get it out of the way."

"When I lived in the condo I tried to get to the gym early when I wanted to avoid the guys."

Sage laughed. "There are a lot of guys in the gym at night. I thought for sure you'd want to be down there at that time."

She knew Poppy was the fun playful flirt of the sisters. Poppy might have had a slight reputation when it came to dating.

Not that she listened much.

It didn't seem to matter though. She could close her ears to other people's gossip and drama and yet she still ended up smack dab in the middle of it without trying.

She often wondered if she ran in the other direction when people were talking about others if it'd be better. She wouldn't care if she looked like a fool. It was better than being included in something that she wanted no part of.

"No way," Poppy said. "I hate working out, but when I do it, I make sure I put everything I've got into that time. It's hard to pick a guy up when you're covered in your own sweat and walking funny. I mean, sure, I like to be sweaty and walking funny after some activities, but that is different."

Poppy started to do a little booty shake that had her giggling. It always did.

Sage wasn't used to working at such a laid back place and knew she was lucky.

"Ahhh," she said. "I remember those days. Been a while."

Nothing at all in the six months she'd lived here. Not even the four months prior to the move. Almost a year with no sex and it was the last thing on her mind.

She was keeping her distance from men since the last one cost her everything she'd always wanted.

She'd left with her tail between her legs and full of doubts, insecurities and embarrassment.

A trifecta of emotions. The perfect storm for her to put on her running sneakers and make a sprint out of town.

"We need to get you a man," Poppy said.

"I'm good," she said.

"Been there and done that too," Poppy said. "I get it. Lily would be up here right now telling me to mind my own business."

"Looks like you're learning," she heard in the hallway.

Sage looked around Poppy, who was standing in the doorway, to see Lily there with baby Remi in her arms.

"What are you doing here?" she asked. "You're on maternity leave."

She was jumping up and running to get her hands on the baby though. Lily had given birth to her daughter three weeks ago.

"That doesn't mean I have to stay locked up in the house the whole time," Lily said. "No, Poppy, I'm not working."

"You're always working," Poppy said. "But I get it. We all are. I want to snatch my niece out of your hands, but I've been getting my fill of her lately. I'll let someone else hold her."

Sage gently transferred the sleeping baby into her arms. "She's so tiny."

"You don't feel that way pushing her out," Lily said, grinning. "But she was just a few ounces smaller than Ryder."

"How is Ryder with his baby sister?"

"He's good. Glad we got him potty trained before the birth. But it's still making sure to remind him to go," Lily said. "Zane has been great about it. Having Willow helps too. She's like a little mother."

Willow was Zane's daughter who was in third grade.

"I bet she's already picking out Remi's clothing," Poppy said.

"She is," Lily said. "But now that she's back in school this week and I'm on my own, she's more excited about her own clothing. You know, like Aunt Poppy taking her school shopping and all but giving her a new wardrobe."

Poppy shrugged. "Sorry. Mommy was a little busy to do it this year and we had a blast."

Sage lifted her eyes from the sleeping baby and watched the sisters grinning at each other.

She'd never had a bond like that with another woman other than Kate. Though she felt she was getting it with Violet since she'd moved here.

She was thrilled her brother had found the perfect mate in his life.

Just one more thing he'd done great and accomplished.

The war hero.

The successful author.

The one who was close to signing off on his book series becoming a TV mini-series.

Only family knew that and she was keeping it close to her chest.

Maybe one day she'd be able to boast about her successes.

Yeah, never.

It was fine. She could be happy for her brother.

"I can always count on my sisters," Lily said. "Even more so to give man advice. Am I missing something here? I'm not normally out of the loop."

"Nothing to miss," Sage said. "Other than I've got an electrician coming to the condo tomorrow. You know, some old dude with his pants hanging down. Maybe I'll get a butt crack sighting that can disgust me for a year to keep me thinking I'm better off without a man."

The sisters both laughed. "That could do it," Lily said.

When Remi started to stir in her arms, she handed the baby back. "I'm sure you want to show this little gem off so I won't hog her too much."

Lily took her daughter back. "Everything going well?"

"No work talk," Poppy said. "Or I'm stealing this one from you too and going shopping. Rose and I have it covered along with everyone else in this building."

Sage looked at the woman who ended up hiring her. The one she worked with more than anyone else when it came down to it.

"We do," she told Lily. "Nothing to worry about here."

"Nope," Poppy said. "I'm the fun boss. Your biggest worry is that Sage is going to come to me and not you in the future."

The two sisters laughed as they left the office and she got back to work trying to figure out what she'd need so that she could get everything done tomorrow at home.

She did have to admit working from home in leggings and a T-shirt was the way to go and was told to do it during bad weather this winter.

She felt bad for those who didn't have that option. Like Violet whose job didn't allow it, but it was nice to have a little perk that others upstairs did get and not feel as if she was getting special treatment for something.