My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 21

"So, how was the concert?" Laura asked Poppy and me. She was on the register, and Poppy and I were making drinks.

"Incredible!" Poppy smiled, "It was so, so good."

I nodded in agreement, and Laura smiled brightly at us.

"I'm so glad you had a great time," she said, and she then paused before asking, "Can I ask you both something?"

Poppy and I glanced at each other, and we both nodded.

"I know you said you two have been spending time together since January, which absolutely blows my mind. How did it even come about?"

Well, Laura, I'm not about to tell you that Poppy and I finger fucked each other in the storage closet here at work.

I shrugged, "It just kind of...happened? We realized that even though we didn't like each other, at the same time we were attracted to each other."

"It was very hard to deny the attraction," Poppy added playfully "I'm glad we caved in, Delilah, but maybe that's just me."

I looked at Poppy, "It's definitely not just you, that's for sure."

Laura cracked a smile, "You two are much cuter together than I could have ever anticipated. I'm happy for you, and don't worry, your secret will always be safe with me."

I smiled back at Laura, "Thank you. That really means a lot."

After Laura left, Poppy and I started to close together.

"I think I trust that Laura is going to keep our secret," Poppy said to me, "I am pretty convinced at this point."

"I'd be utterly shocked if she told anyone, but at least we would know what the source is, if it ever got out."

Poppy nodded, "That's true. Then we can both beat her up together."

I laughed, "I don't think it would be my first choice to resort to violence, but I would go along with it. Just for you."

Poppy winked at me, "Glad to know you support me."

As I cleaned off one of the counters, Poppy said to me, "Fifteen minutes until close. God, I hope no one else comes in. I really want to get out of here on time."

"Same," I nodded, "The sooner we get out of here, the sooner I can hangout with you."

Poppy smiled at me, and she then chuckled, "When Laura asked how it came about that we started dating each other, I had to try and not laugh, thinking about how everything...came about."

I knew that Poppy wasn't going to say anything about the storage closet aloud just in the very off chance Layla was peeking at the camera at all, but I caught her drift right away.

I laughed and said, "What, you didn't think that would be appropriate to tell Laura?"

Poppy laughed as well, "Who knows? Maybe she'd get off from it."

That really made me laugh out loud...until I saw a very familiar figure walking toward the front door of the shop.

Emily.

What is she doing here?

Emily walked in, and she was smiling...but the smile didn't quite meet her eyes.

"Hi!" Emily waved to me, "I know you're closing shortly, but I was in the area and figured I'd stop in for a drink."

I plastered on a smile, "Sure, Em. Good to see you. What can I make for you?"

Poppy walked to the register, "I'll ring you up, Emily."

Poppy's smile had disappeared, and she looked more apprehensive than anything.

Emily stepped up to the counter, "Hi, Poppy. I'll take a small hot vanilla latte. Thank you."

"Sure," Poppy nodded, "That'll be $3.79."

Emily nodded as well, a bit awkwardly, and she stuck her card in the card reader.

I made her drink as quickly as possible, so there wouldn't be any weird silence for long, and handed the drink to Emily right away.

"Thanks, Delilah," she smiled at me, "I know this will be great."

"It'll be the best coffee you ever have," I joked, even though my heart was thumping.

"I'm not doubting that," Emily said. She then paused before saying, "I'm glad I stopped in. I'll text you later, Delilah. Bye, Poppy."

Poppy waved, and so did I.

When Emily left, and I saw her get in her car, I turned to Poppy, "I had absolutely no idea she was coming in."

"I was just surprised she even greeted me," Poppy looked at me, "Oh well. Let's finish closing so we can get the hell out of here."

When I got in my car, still feeling a bit uneasy about Emily coming in, I noticed that I had a missed text from her.

It said: Hey! Call me when you get a chance.

My heart dropped, and I just had this feeling that Emily was going to question me about Poppy.

I started driving and called Emily.

"Hi!" she answered, "I hope you didn't mind me coming in. I didn't realize you were working with Poppy."

"No worries," I said to her, "It was nice to see you."

Maybe she isn't going to question me? She could've just wanted to let me know she didn't realize Poppy was working with me?

There was a pause before Emily said, "Can I ask you something?"

Oh no.

"Of course," I said.

"Are you and Poppy actually friends? I noticed the two of you laughing together from the window as I was walking up to the shop."

Fuck.

Here we go.

Before I could even answer, Emily continued, "I won't lie. I'm going to be pretty upset if you and Poppy are actually friends with each other. Not saying you can't get along with a co-worker, but it would just be weird to me. You and her looked awfully chummy laughing together."

My heart was in my throat as I realized that there was no way I was getting around this.

Emily continued on, "It would just feel like a betrayal to me, considering how badly Poppy hurt me."

It was on the very tip of my tongue now, and I knew that I was likely going to have to finally come clean.

"Delilah? You're not saying anything. I need you to tell me what's going on."

"I'm in love with Poppy!" I blurted out, my heart racing at the speed of light, "I...I'm in love with her, okay?"

Silence.

Finally, Emily replied, "What the fuck do you mean you're in love with Poppy?"

"I'm sorry, Em. But I'm in love with Poppy...and she's my girlfriend."

"She's your girlfriend?"

Emily sounded incredulous as she asked me that question.

"Yes," I said, "Poppy and I are dating."

"Is this some kind of sick joke? If so, it's not funny, Delilah."

I sighed, "No. It's not a joke."

Another pause before Emily said to me, "I have to go. I can't have this conversation right now."

Before I could respond, Emily hung up.

And I had no idea what was going to happen next.