My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 19

"You didn't have to get me anything, Poptart," I said, and I opened the gift bag.

I smiled when I pulled out multiple of my favorite black eyeliners and mascara, "You know me well, I run out of these quickly from how much I use."

"Now you have enough to last you at least a year!" Poppy smiled back at me.

"Honestly, this is all I need. You could have stopped here," I laughed.

Poppy also got me a very cute black coffee tumbler, an array of nail polishes as she knows how I paint my own nails, and the absolute cutest fluffy pillow shaped like a cat that she brought out of her room separately.

She also had something else with it.

"I don't want you to think I'm just giving you an old necklace," Poppy said to me, holding out a silver chain that had a very pretty, intricate key charm on it, "The story behind it is actually quite sappy so bear with me."

"Sappy, you?" I said in a joking tone, and Poppy rolled her eyes but smiled.

"I used to wear this necklace all the time," Poppy explained, "My mom got it for me. However, about a year ago I decided that I was going to not wear it as much anymore and give it to the woman that I fall for one day."

My face grew warm, and I couldn't help smiling as Poppy handed me the necklace, "I've fallen for you too, Poppy. I absolutely love it."

"You do?"

"Of course I do. It's the most thoughtful gesture."

"Do you want to wear it?" Poppy asked.

"Yes. Help me put it on?"

I turned around so that my back was facing Poppy, and she looped the necklace around my neck, and clasped it.

"There," she said, "Face me, I want to see it on you."

I did as Poppy said, and she smiled when she saw the necklace on me, "Perfect."

"You're perfect, Poppy," I said to her, "Thank you for making my birthday special. Can I tell you something?"

Poppy nodded.

"You know my ex that I told you about, Danielle. Each birthday that I spent with her, she made me cry for various reasons. Whether it was her accusing me of cheating when I went out for my birthday, or simply just starting a fight with me. It's so nice to be with someone who doesn't do that."

"I'm so sorry, Delilah. You never deserved that, and I would never do that to you," Poppy said earnestly.

"Thank you," I smiled at Poppy, "I appreciate that more than you'll ever know. And I love the necklace."

I knew that I would be wearing the necklace all the time now. I didn't wear a lot of jewelry, just my two nose studs, but this was special.

If anyone asked where I got the necklace from, I would tell them that my grandmother got it for me for my birthday. Easy enough.

A couple of days after my birthday, I was working with Charlie, Poppy, and Sydney.

I was on the register, and Sydney and Poppy were making drinks together.

Sydney noticed my necklace right when I walked in.

"That's a pretty necklace!" she said, "Did you get it for your birthday?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Poppy glance at us.

I nodded, "I did. My grandmother got it for me."

"She has good taste," Sydney smiled.

A little bit later into the shift, Poppy accidentally bumped into Sydney while making a drink.

"Sorry about that," Poppy said to Sydney.

"Watch where you're going, Poppy," Sydney said with an edge to her tone.

I immediately looked over, not liking how she spoke to Poppy.

Poppy didn't say anything while the customer was waiting for their drink, but after they left, she turned to Sydney.

"Sydney, I know you have a problem with me. I'm sorry that we didn't work out, but I'd really like it if we can move forward, and things don't have to be weird."

Sydney looked stunned that Poppy said something, and she said back, "You really hurt me, Poppy. It's difficult."

"I'm sorry. But that was months ago. I think it's time to let it go. We still work together."

Sydney frowned, "It's not that easy to just let it go."

I didn't like how Sydney was talking to Poppy, but I had to bite my tongue. I couldn't stick up for Poppy, or she would know something was up.

Poppy was frustrated as she said, "You know what, whatever Sydney. Be immature. I'll be back, I need to grab more caramel sauce."

Poppy walked away, clearly annoyed. Sydney turned to me, "Do you see where I'm coming from, Delilah?"

"Of course. It sucks to get hurt. But I think you could try and be friendlier to Poppy. It'll make for a better work environment. And I think it'll actually be good for you to try and let it go."

Sydney sighed, "Maybe you're right. I'll try and let it go and be kinder to Poppy."

I smiled at Sydney, "Good. I think that's the right choice."

Poppy came back a couple of minutes later with two bottles of caramel sauce, and Sydney said to her, "I'm sorry, Poppy. I'm going to try to put aside my feelings and get along with you the best I can."

Poppy glanced at me, and I knew she was wondering if I said something to Sydney.

Poppy flashed Sydney a smile, "Thank you, Sydney. I appreciate it."

I confirmed with Poppy after work that I had spoken to Sydney, and she said, "I knew it! Did she seem to suspect anything?"

I shook my head, "No, she didn't."

Thank god.

Emily asked me if I wanted to go to dinner for a belated birthday celebration the next night. She said she would treat me to sushi, and I told her that I would love to.

"I'm sorry this is a few days after your birthday," she said to me as we sat across from each other, "Work has been exhausting me."

"I get it," I said to Emily, "No worries at all. I'm glad we're here now."

Emily smiled at me, and her eyes then settled below my face.

"You haven't always had that necklace, have you?" she asked me.

I brought my hand to the necklace and said, "No, I haven't. My grandmother got it for me for my birthday. It's pretty, isn't it?"

"It is," Emily said to me, but something in her tone was off.

"You can tell me if you don't like it," I chuckled, even though I was apprehensive about her reaction.

"It's not that at all. I just swear that Poppy used to have the same necklace. She would wear a really nice necklace with a key when we were a thing."

Oh fuck.

A chill went down my spine, but I tried to remain casual, "I guess my grandmother has the same taste as Poppy."

Emily laughed, and relief washed over me, "Maybe she does, even though I'd rather not speak about she who shall not be mentioned."

"Fine by me," I said to Emily, happy to gloss over the subject.

Even though the topic of my necklace came and went quickly, I was still very much on edge about it.

Emily doesn't actually suspect anything, does she?

I'm really not sure how much longer I can keep this a secret.