Page 35 of When You Left Me Speechless

“Hey girl,” she says, “welcome to the team. It’s so good to see you again.” Her smile is warm and puts me a little more at ease.

“Thanks.” I try not to sound too anxious.

“Everybody, this is my best friend, Poppy. This is Jasmine and Pia.” Lacey points at each woman as she tells me their names. I do my best to commit their names to my memory. ”And you’ve met Gray and Wren before.”

“Margaret didn’t want to join?” I ask.

“Oh no, she never comes. Wants us to be able to socialize without our boss hovering,” Gray says.

I look up to see a waiter walking towards our table holding what appears to be a French 75 and a gin and tonic. “Celebratory beverages?” I giggle, “Lace, you shouldn’t have.”

Lacey looks up from her menu and then at me. “I didn’t.”

The waiter makes it to us and sets them in front of us. “Drinks sent from the gentleman sitting at the center table.”

My eyes immediately shoot toward the center of the restaurant, looking for who the mystery gentleman might be. I instantly find his chestnut eyes that are hidden by his black frame glasses.My heart flutters, and I hit Lacey so she sees him too.

“He remembered our drink orders?” she asks. “Damn. I’m impressed.” She’s right. Not only did he remember my drink of choice, he remembered my best friend’s too.

Who is this man?

He lifts his glass and nods in my direction. I raise mine and mouth, “Thank you.” Lacey waves. Her and Tanner’s eyes must meet because the look on her face is priceless. I can’t help but laugh.

LOGAN

“What the fuck is that about?”Tanner asks. “I thought you couldn’t pursue anything with her because you’d lose your job?”

He’s right. I shouldn’t be thinking about her, and I shouldn’t buy her drinks in this nice restaurant. Yet, here I am, buying her drinks, staring at her, and realizing I can’t escape this girl no matter how hard I try.

“Oh, relax, Tanner, don’t get your panties in a wad,” Donovan scolds. “He’s grand gesturing, and it’s sweet. Let him gesture.”

“Grand gesturing?” Tanner’s face contorts into a confused expression.

“Just because you’re straight doesn’t mean you have to act like you know nothing about romance,” Donovan answers. “When I met Enzo, he sent me flowers every day until I agreed to date him. It was so romantic…”

They continue to go back and forth, but I have stopped listening, my attention is solely on the girl smiling at me.

POPPY

“Who isthe handsome guy in the glasses?” Gray asks.

“And who is his cute friend?” Wren adds.

“A friend,” I answer, but my eyes are still locked on him, and I am trying to figure out why he is sending me drinks.

“Those eyes don’t look like they are looking at a friend,” I hear someone else say, but I don’t know who.

Logan looks good tonight, like really good. Something about those glasses makes me weak. His hair is fixed and not messy like usual, and I can tell he hasn’t shaved in a few days by the shadow covering his chin. He looks relaxed.

The conversation around the table continues. I peruse the menu and when I set it down, my eyes find his again. A panty dropping smile breaks across his face.I’m in deep shit.

“So, Poppy are you excited to start at Dogwood Manor?” Chloe asks.

I break my gaze. “Definitely. I think Lace and I have dreamed of working together for as long as I can remember.”

“Does this mean you’re going to abandon me for Poppy?” Gray pouts, looking towards my best friend.

Lacey shakes her head and giggles. “No, I promise to still co-treat with you.”

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