Page 69 of I Met Him At The Library

“Not home. Maple Creek. I don’t know if I’m staying. I only need somewhere to get my head wrapped around this. I have no idea what I need to do to divorce the asshole.”

“Poppy, I’m so sorry. What do you need me to do?” I asked, leaning my head back against the headrest.

She might be acting fine but my heart was breaking for her. Her and Max had been together for so long, and while I didn’t care for the asshole, they seemed happy. Poppy didn’t deserve this shit.

“Meet me for brunch tomorrow? The Blue Plate is still around right?”

“Yes, tomorrow, text me to let me know what time, and I’ll meet you there. I’ll help you figure all this out. I’m here for you,” I said.

“Thank you Em. I can’t wait to see you.”

“I can’t wait to see you too. Talk soon.”

We hung up and I sighed. Bubbles of excitement over seeing my best friend again after so many years floated around my chest, but at the same time I was devastated by what she must be feeling.

Starting Ryan’s car, I drove over to the library and parked it in his normal spot near the park. After work, he would walk over to the pub for drinks with the guys before either coming to pick me up, or to spend the night with me. Lacey had informed me of her schedule, so Ryan wouldn’t be traumatized when he stayed with me. On the nights she worked, it was best for us to stay at his place. He never mentioned anything about what Lacey did in the evenings, but I did my best to protect him. Lacey found it all hilarious.

Walking into the library, I greeted Ms. Jones before I turned down the hallway to Ryan’s office. We’d started working here most days since our relationship was out in the open, but sometimes I would still choose to use the reference section or a study room.

Walking into his office, I said, “You are never gonna guess what happened?”

Concern filled his eyes as they moved from his computer screen to me, while I set up at a small desk he’d brought in specifically for me.

“What?” He asked.

“Poppy’s husband cheated on her. She’s driving into town right now.”

His eyebrow rose as he asked, “Should I tell Trey?”

I stopped to look at him. After the book festival, I finally shared with Ryan all the details about things that happened during high school to me, to Poppy, and to Meghan. He heard about what actually happened between Trey and Poppy, but neither one of us could figure out if Trey still had any sort of feelings for Poppy.

Shaking my head, I answered, “No, I don’t think so. She’ll be in tomorrow so I’m sure he’ll find out soon enough. Plus, it was almost fifteen years ago.”

“Fifteen years and the guy doesn’t date at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if he still had a thing for her.”

“You think?” I asked.

He stood from his desk and walked over to me. Pulling me into his arms he pressed a kiss to my lips.

“If it were me and you, absolutely. I’d pine for you for the rest of my life. He still wants her, but he’ll be a dumbass about it.”

“Oh I’m positive about that.”

“So we stay out of it?” He asked.

“Well, yeah. We shouldn’t get involved.”

“No setting up anything. No pushing them into proximity with each other. Let them work it out,” he confirmed with an eyebrow raised at me.

“Right, we stay out of it.”

The town was small and there would be enough people interfering once they found out Poppy was back, even if she wasn’t back for good. But, there was a small part of me wanting and trying to find a way to keep my best friend here. Okay, maybe for a second, I considered how Trey could play a role in her staying.

Shaking my head, I smiled up at Ryan. I’d stay out of it and let those two figure out what they were or weren’t going to do. Based on my own experience, other people getting involved rarely helped a situation, and most of the time, added additional stress. All I’d do was hope Poppy would choose to stay in Maple Creek. But if she didn’t, I’d be a good friend and support whatever decision she made.

“I was thinking,” Ryan started before he placed a soft kiss on my lips, “Would you like to move in with me?”

My eyes widened, “Like in your townhome?”

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