My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 1

I saw on my schedule that Poppy had a training shift at 9 AM, so I had an hour before she was going to get there.

You have to be civil, Delilah. You heard Emily.

I got to work and walked into the small building that I spent more time than I did at home. Behind the counter was my manager, Layla, and my other co-worker, Sydney. There were a few people in the shop at tables working on their laptops, but no one in line. The Grind House is a small but cozy shop, with dark wooden floors, light gray walls, and various paintings on the walls that fit into the darker color scheme. There is an array of tables, as well as a long table in the back that multiple people can sit at.

"Good morning," I greeted Layla and Sydney, "I'll be right back, just putting my bag in the break room."

After putting my bag in one of the lockers in the break room, I went back out to the shop and behind the counter.

"Good morning, Delilah," Layla smiled at me, "We have someone new starting today. Sydney is going to be training her, but please be there for her if she needs anything."

"I will be," I said, "No problem."

How do I play this, do I mention I know her?

No, I'm not going to mention that. I'll just let it play out when Poppy comes in.

"Her name is Poppy," Layla said, "Isn't that a pretty name?"

I nodded, "Very pretty, yes."

The first hour of my day went by quickly, and before I knew it, as I was cleaning behind the bar, Poppy Meyers walked into the shop for her first day.

"Oh my," Sydney whispered to me, "I did not realize she was going to be so attractive."

I heard Sydney, but I didn't reply, because Poppy had stopped in her tracks when I made eye contact with her from behind the counter. For what felt like I few seconds, we stared each other down. She quickly regained composure, and her signature smirk appeared on her face.

Poppy sauntered over to the counter where Layla, Sydney, and I were, and Layla greeted her with a wide smile.

"Poppy, hello!" Layla said, "Welcome in for your first day. Next to me is Sydney, who is going to be training you today, and Delilah."

"Hi Poppy," Sydney said, "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Poppy smiled back at Sydney, and her attention then focused on me.

"Delilah," Poppy said, "Nice to see you."

Is it though?

"Nice to see you too, Poppy," I said, not meaning a word of it.

Layla looked between Poppy and I, "You two know each other?"

"Mutual friend," Poppy said quickly, with a smile.

"Oh, great!" Layla clasped her hands, "Always nice to have a familiar face at a new place. Poppy, why don't you come back to my office with me? For the first hour of the day I am going to have you on the computer doing some trainings and then you can be out on the floor with Sydney and Delilah."

"Sounds great, thank you," Poppy said, and with one last glance my way, she followed Layla to the back.

After Layla and Poppy were out of earshot, Sydney turned to me, her dark eyes wide.

"Well, she sure is hot," Sydney said, fanning herself jokingly.

How can I answer Sydney without actually answering her?

"You think so?" I chuckled.

"Duh, I have eyes!" Sydney laughed, "You and her have a mutual friend?"

"Yes, my best friend Emily."

"I wonder if she's into women," Sydney said softly, "I hope she is."

I simply shrugged. Even though Poppy was open with her sexuality, I wasn't going to out her to someone she didn't know, maybe she didn't want that information spread at work.

Though it wouldn't surprise me if she hooked up with at least one person from my job.

About 40 minutes later, with Layla and Sydney up at the front with me, I realized we had run out hazelnut syrup, and a customer wanted a Ferrero Rocher latte.

"I'll be right back," I said to Layla and Sydney, "We ran out of hazelnut syrup."

I walked to the back, where the storage closet was. The closet was across from Layla's small office, and the door was open. I glanced over to see Poppy looking at the computer. Her long, shiny, black hair was pulled into a low ponytail, and she wore a gray v-neck t-shirt and black yoga pants, showing her slim figure.

At the same time, I glanced at Poppy, she glanced over at me. We locked eyes for a moment, and I broke it by going into the storage closet and grabbing the bottle of hazelnut syrup that I needed.

I turned around to walk back out to the shop, when I heard Poppy say, "I wasn't expecting to see you here, Delilah."

I walked up to the door of Layla's office, and paused in front of Poppy, who looked up at me from the desk.

"Well, I do work here," I said to Poppy in an even tone.

Try and be civil. You need to try and be civil.

My tone must have not been as even as I hoped for, because Poppy narrowed her hazel, almond shaped eyes at me.

"Believe me, Delilah. I'm about as unhappy to see you as I am sure you are to see me."

I stared at Poppy for a moment, "You're unhappy to see me? Last time I checked, I didn't break your best friend's heart."

Poppy gave me a challenging look, "That may be true, but that doesn't mean I like you, Delilah."

Whoa. Hostile.

I narrowed my eyes at Poppy and crossed my arms, "Well, if it wasn't clear, the feeling is mutual."

Poppy then gave me a very sarcastic smile and said, "Great. Glad we established that! Now leave me be."

"You don't have to ask me twice, Poppy," I said, and then started to walk away.

As I started walking, Poppy said from behind me, "Oh. Tell Emily I said 'hi', by the way."

All I could do in response was flip off Poppy, and I made sure she saw it.

I then turned back around and walked to the front; my face hot with frustration.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," I said to the customer, "I'll have your drink ready in a moment."

As I made the Ferrero Rocher latte, all I could think was one thing.

Fuck Poppy Meyers and fuck the fact that she is now my co-worker.

This is going to be awful.