After Poppy left the bar, I didn't go to Olivia's. I told her I would see her Sunday for our weekly brunch date. Instead, I went back to my apartment. I stood in the doorway of the guest bedroom, my arms crossed. In the room was a futon, a desk with a chair and lamp, a small nightstand, and a chest of drawers. If Poppy was going to stay here, I would need to make it as homey as possible.
I grabbed my keys, heading for a furniture store. I was going to buy a new bed and all the other accents a bedroom would need to match. A new desk and chair, a lounge chair, a night stand, a dresser, and of course there would need to be a television. If nothing had changed, then Poppy still couldn't go to sleep without the background noise of a television and a fan. I mentally added a box fan of things I needed to purchase.
After about an hour and a half of shopping, I had found everything I needed. Luckily, it was still early enough for everything to be delivered to my apartment, and I could spend the rest of the evening putting it together. Which is exactly what I did. Until about 2 am. The room looked entirely different, and I stood there admiring it with a gleam of pride. Then I took myself to bed, knowing I had to wake up at 5 am for my run.
The next morning, I woke up and went for my usual run. While I ran, I thought back to everything I knew about Poppy. Today, I would go get groceries and make sure to pick up some of her favorite snacks. I'd get her particular kind of shampoo and conditioner and anything else I thought she might need.
I finished my run, and went straight to the store. Not many people were out at 6 in the morning, so I was in and out with all that I needed relatively quickly. I drove the familiar route home, and unloaded all the groceries. I made sure to put everything away exactly where they went, then decided it was time for a shower. The hot water was something I hadn't realized I'd needed, and I relaxed one it hit my back.
I had just gotten out of the shower, a towel still wrapped around my waist. There was a knock at the door. People didn't usually knock on my door, so I figured it was only Olivia. I didn't bother putting any clothes on, and I went for the door. I was surprised when I opened it.
"Poppy. Hi, come in." My cheeks burned red, and I pulled the towel a little tighter around my waist.
YOU ARE READING
The Last Five Years
RomanceA lot has changed in the town of Raymond, Washington ever since Andrew Sager left for Duke University five years ago. It was still the small, boring town Andrew grew up in but not everything was as how he left it. His high school sweetheart, Poppy...
