My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 19

I was going into my 23rd year around the sun with a girlfriend.

I couldn't believe it.

Too bad I had to keep that girlfriend a secret, but it still made me really happy nonetheless.

I knew that Emily would want to do something for my birthday, we did every year. But I now had Poppy to do something with as well.

Like Poppy, I worked on my birthday. Layla brought in cupcakes for me as well.

"They're strawberry shortcake, your favorite," Layla said to me.

"I can't believe you remembered that. I think I told you once that I love strawberry shortcake."

"I've got a good memory," Layla tapped a finger against her head.

Poppy didn't work with me on my birthday, but Sydney, Diego, and Charlie did.

I was on bar, making drinks, when Poppy walked in.

I smiled to myself as she sauntered in the building.

"Poppy, hey!" Charlie waved to her, "What are you doing here on your day off?"

Sydney gave Poppy a small wave, and I said casually as possible, "Hey, Poppy."

"What, can I not get a latte from the best coffee shop in town that I just so happen to work at?" Poppy asked, and she stepped up to the register.

"Poppy, you don't have to pay, we'll just make you a drink," Charlie laughed.

"I'll be a paying customer just like anyone else," Poppy said to Charlie, "I'll take an iced almond milk latte with a couple pumps of French vanilla. Think you can manage that?"

Poppy smiled at the last sentence to show she was joking.

"I think I can manage that," I said to Poppy, "I'll make it for you now."

"Thanks, Delilah. Oh, and happy birthday. Diego told me it was your birthday today."

"Thanks, Poppy," I said.

Meanwhile, I was at Poppy's apartment at midnight when it became my birthday. She wanted to be the first person to wish me a happy birthday, and she was.

My hand brushed against Poppy's and I handed her the iced latte, and she gave me a quick smile.

"See you all later," she said, "Have a good day."

After Poppy left, Sydney asked me, "Are you doing anything fun for your birthday?"

"Probably just hanging out with my best friend, Emily."

"That's the one that dated Poppy, right?"

"Correct."

"Maybe she and I can become friends, and we can commiserate about Poppy."

I wanted to tell Sydney to get over it, but instead I gave a fake chuckle and said, "Maybe you can."

When I went to Poppy's later that night, she surprised me with sushi.

"You surprised me with my favorite cuisine on my birthday, I wanted to surprise you with yours," she said to me.

"Thank you," I kissed Poppy, "That means a lot to me."

"I have a few more gifts for you! Sit down on the couch and I'll give them to you."

I did as Poppy said, and she then went to her bedroom and brought out a purple gift bag.

She set it down on the coffee table in front of me, and she then sat next to me.

"It's not as impressive as concert tickets to The Weeknd, but I hope you like some of the gifts."