My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 6

"What can I say? It's pretty hot," Emily smiled.

"I'll take that as a compliment," I chuckled.

Anytime I see Emily, my mood is lifted for the rest of the day. She's my comfort person.

I had work the next afternoon, with both Sydney and Poppy, as well as another co-worker of mine, Charlie. I don't have many shifts with Charlie, as he tends to work in the mornings and he's part time, but we get along well. He's a 25 year old trans man, and he lives with his wife while being in graduate school.

I was on register during the shift, and Poppy and Sydney were making drinks. I couldn't help but notice how touchy they were with each other. I would see Poppy walk past Sydney and snake her hand lightly on her waist, and Sydney would brush her hand against Poppy's.

Charlie, who was helping wherever needed, as well as cleaning everything in the back, asked me about Poppy and Sydney when I walked to the storage closet to get more almond milk.

"Is something going on with them? They're being pretty obvious about it," Charlie said softly.

"Definitely," I nodded. I decided against telling Charlie about Poppy and Sydney making out at Layla's party.

"Poppy seems like a flirt," Charlie responded, "Sydney is a sweet girl. Hopefully she doesn't get hurt."

"I feel the same way."

Charlie flashed me a quick smile, and I left with the almond milk.

When I walked back out, there was thankfully no one at the register, and Sydney and Poppy were laughing about something at the bar.

A moment later, Poppy said, "I think this is a good time for me to take a 15 minute break. I'll be back."

Poppy sauntered out of the building, and Sydney smiled shyly as she watched her.

Sydney then turned to me, "I'm sorry about Saturday, Delilah. You having to see Poppy and I hooking up by your car."

"No worries, Sydney," I said back to her, "I hope things go well for you."

"Really? I know you don't like Poppy all that much."

"Yeah, but I like you."

Sydney smiled at me, "Thanks, Delilah. I like you, too."

About a half hour later, when Poppy was back making drinks, a girl walked into the building. She was wearing an outfit I would wear, all black and a pair of black boots as well. She had light blonde hair to her shoulders and wore black glasses as well.

Oh, she's cute.

I don't really have a type when it comes to women. I've hooked up with masculine women and feminine, though I notice that tend to gravitate more to feminine women.

The girl walked up to the counter, and gave me a sweet smile, which made my heart flutter.

"Hi, what can I get started for you today?" I asked her.

I couldn't help but notice her short, black nails.

"I'll have a medium caramel latte with oat milk," she said, "Thank you."

Another smile.

"Sure thing," I nodded, "That'll be $4.79."

She paid with her card, and I then said, "That'll be at the end of the bar shortly. Have a great day."

"Thanks," she said, and she then hesitated before saying to me, "I love your flower tattoo on your arm. It's really pretty."

"Oh, thank you," I said back, feeling my face grow warm, "I like your makeup a lot."

"Thank you," she smiled back, and she then glanced at me one more time before walking away.

Moments later, she got her coffee, and started walking toward the door, but she then paused, turned back, and walked right toward me.

"I have an Instagram account for makeup," she said, "If you wanted to follow it, since you said you liked my makeup today."

"Sure!" I said, taking my phone out of my pocket, "What's the account?"

She told me the name, and I followed the account. She then said, "My name is Corrine. What's yours?"

"Delilah."

"Pretty name. I'll see you around, Delilah."

She gave me one more smile before turning around and walking off.

My heart felt like it could beat out of my chest.

Sydney then said to me, "Look at you, Delilah, getting the women! Did you think she was cute?"

I nodded, "Yeah. I definitely did."

Poppy was looking down at her phone, seemingly uninterested.

"That's awesome," Sydney smiled, "Maybe something will come of it."

I smiled back at Sydney, "Yeah, maybe."

"I'm going to take a 15 minute break," Sydney said, "I'll be back."

Poppy gave her a small wave as she walked away and put her phone back in her pocket.

There was no one in the shop at the moment besides Charlie who was in the back. It was just Poppy and I up front.

I took out my phone and started looking at Corrine's makeup page. She did all kinds of makeup looks, and I could see that she was talented.

"Well, that girl seemed to be quite into you."

I looked up, surprised that Poppy had spoken to me.

I met her gaze, which was on me.

"I guess so," I said back to Poppy.

"Will you use her for sex and then drop her like a hot potato?" Poppy asked me, leaning against the bar.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You get on me for being bad, but Emily used to tell me how you would fuck someone and then drop them right after."

Okay...

"Maybe that's true. But unlike you, I'm honest with them from the start. I don't use people for months on end and then hurt them."

"You think that just because I hurt your best friend, you know my whole dating history," Poppy crossed her arms.

"I just know that mine can't be nearly as bad as yours, Poppy."

Poppy rolled her eyes, and pulled her phone out of her pocket, signaling that she was over the conversation. As was I.

On my ride home from work, I called Emily. I needed to ask her about what Poppy said to me.

"Hey!" she said, "I'm on my way to hang out with Evan, what's up?"

"I wanted to ask you about something Poppy said to me. I'm sure that she just twisted your words, but she said that you told her that I would 'fuck people and then drop them like a hot potato'."

There was a pause, and Emily said back, "Wow, I can't believe Poppy would say that. She did twist my words; I told her that you were more interested in sex and not relationships at that time. I never said that, Delilah."

"I believe you. I just wanted to ask, that's all."

"Okay, as long as you believe me."

There was concern in Emily's voice.

"I do, Em. Have fun with Evan and don't worry about it."

After hanging up with Emily, my anger toward Poppy rose.

She knew what she was doing, lying about what Emily said.

I can't stand her.