The Last Five Years

Poppy

  The better part of twenty minutes was spent trying to figure out where Peter ran off to. After a couple of people had noticed that I was running in circles, they pointed the way. I thanked them with a shy smile, and stumbled over to the table.

My feet skidded to a halt. He was sitting at the table next to Peter, with his mouth open in a laugh. I felt my heart plummet into my stomach.

The five years did him well, his body filling out more but his face getting more angular. His hair appeared a little lighter, but it was still that perfectly tousled hair I loved so much. His head turned toward me for a minute, then back to Peter, then back to me. His mouth had stopped moving, and his beautiful eyes widened.

Peter turned around in his chair, grinning. He quickly muttered something to Drew before standing up and pulling my chair out for me. Neither Drew or I knew how whether to hug or shake hands, so we settled on shaking hands.

The table was silent as everybody glanced at each other for a minute. Peter sat between Drew and I, but I felt like I could still feel his body heat.

"So," Casey said after a couple more minutes. "Poppy, what have you been up to?"

Immediately, I turned to the Poppy I knew I could be and I flashed my teeth in a wide smile. "I work at a preschool down the street from mine and Peter's house." I glanced out of the corner of my eye over at Drew, who was staring at my left hand. I didn't even try to hide it.

"And you're a police officer?" Drew finally spoke up, turning to Peter. "That surprises me."

Peter threw his head back in a laugh. "Why's that, huh?"

Drew scoffed. "Oh, please. You know why."  He looked between the two of us for a minute.  "Peter and Poppy.  Nice alliteration."

I rolled my eyes.  "Pompous ass."  I muttered.  Drew raised an eyebrow, smirking.  He was the only one that could get a rise out of me.

Peter cleared his throat then took a long gulp of his drink.  He pointed at Drew. "Hey, where are you staying tonight?" I felt dread rising up in my throat like it was bile.

"My mom's."

Peter shook his head, his hair falling in his eyes. "You can stay with me and Poppy!" Both Drew and I started to protest, but Peter shut us up. "I insist. You're my best friend. We have an extra bedroom."

"I guess if it's okay with Poppy." Drew and I locked eyes and I felt my insides melt

For the millionth time that night, I forced a smile. "I don't see why not."