out a breath. “College.”
Zoey laughed and swayed her way, resting her head on Casey’s shoulder. “Poppy says we can live with her if our families kick us out.”
“Absolutely you can,” Poppy said. “But I really don’t think it will come to that.”
“Doesn’t she live with your sister… in your brother’s building?”
“Yes,” Zoey said, turning her face against Casey.
“Hey, don’t either of you worry. Turner might scare you, but he doesn’t scare me. The first time I asked to live in the Venture, he said no. Do you think I accepted that? I did not. First thing Charley told me about him was that he likes determined women. Both of you have each other, you have shared strength, you show him you’re just as sure and determined and he won’t turn his back on either of you.” Not that she thought he had it in him to turn his back on anyone in need. “If I have to kick Charley out and tell Turner you guys are moving in, he’ll accept it. Trust me on that.”
Casey became more discerning and shed her uncertainty. “Do you like him?”
Not reacting to that question was probably one of the most difficult things she’d ever had to do. “Who? Turner?” Poppy asked, amazing herself with how indifferent the question came across. “Of course I do, he’s a Maddox.”
With a snort of laughter, Zoey nudged Casey with her whole body. “She likes his ass.”
“Oh, hey, you,” Poppy said, enjoying the teasing. “I told you that in confidence.”
The teens would relish the chance to forget about their own woes for a while, so Poppy didn’t mind them laughing at her expense. It was all good-natured, she didn’t sense any malice from either of them. It was nice to see them relax together too.
Being the first one they told about their relationship was an honor. Her reaction would be the only benchmark for any they might get in the future. Sure, it was less important because she wasn’t as intrinsic to their lives. Still, Poppy understood there was a responsibility on her shoulders. These women needed to know that they would be accepted, that they would be loved.
Casey shrugged and picked up her cup for the first time. “He’s cute… I guess, if you like that kind of thing.”
“That kind of thing like an attractive, solvent, responsible man? Yes,” Poppy said. “I suppose I do like that kind of thing.”
“Okay, ew,” Zoey said, shaking her hands. “Please let’s not even joke about something so gross.”
Casey was smiling when she put her cup back down and swayed toward her girlfriend. “Your brother specifically or just men in general?
“Both,” Zoey exclaimed, throwing both arms around Casey. “I am so happy I don’t have to worry about that kind of thing ever again.”
When she pulled her close for a kiss, they both enjoyed it for a second before Casey pulled back and looked across the table like she expected judgement.
Poppy was still smiling and just cut another piece off the edge of her cake with the side of her fork. “Don’t mind me. I love love,” she said. “And when I find it, I’ll expect you guys to hang out while I drool all over my love too.”
“Providing it’s not all over my brother, I’m cool with that,” Zoey said, offering a piece of her cake to Casey. “You should try this, babe.”
They talked about the cake while Poppy reflected on her own heartache. It came over and over again, often in the most unexpected of ways. If she could drool over Turner in public, she wouldn’t care who was watching. Soon, once Zoey and Casey got over their coming out, they’d be able to embrace each other in whatever way they chose.
Poppy had love like that inside her. Her pain was less about declaring it to the world and more about it being unreciprocated. She’d thought that giving Turner what he needed would work out for both of them. She wouldn’t stop, couldn’t even if it was for the best. Her love was private, even from the object of it… and it would forever stay that way.
THIRTY-ONE
In her apartment the next evening, Poppy was ready for work, but waiting for Charley, who was still in her room.
“What happened to coffee before our shift started?” Poppy called out.
“Two minutes!” Charley yelled back.
They were due to start at five PM and it was already after four. They’d be lucky to get in on time let alone think about coffee.
Leaning on the wall