Page 97 of When You Left Me Speechless

POPPY

Today was a good day. I woke up to Logan bringing me coffee and my favorite flowers before taking full advantage of me in my bed and then again in the shower. I admittedly don’t regret a moment of the past couple of months because I know I’m right where I should be, next to Logan.

The stress and worry of school are officially behind me. The week following Pecan Grove almost killed me, but I got through it. I was so relieved to find out I passed my tests. I officially have a master’s degree and the most important people in my life were all there to see me achieve the goal I have been striving for, for six very long years.

“Where are you taking me?” Logan pulls me down a small alleyway in the city a couple blocks from where he parked his truck. “Are we even supposed to be back here?” The small path is lined with unmarked doors meant for deliveries.

“Just trust me, chatterbox,” he reassures me, squeezing my hand. We both dodge a pothole filled with water.

He looks down at his watch and then pauses, pulling me in for a heated kiss for a few minutes. I pull away, “We are not having sex back here,” I tease.

He lets out a laugh. “I totally would, but no, we aren’t. Come on, we are going to be late.” We start moving again and then stop in front of a door. He knocks three times. I can tell he’s fidgeting and that he’s a little nervous. The door swings open, revealing a dark room.

“Wait, what’s going on?” I question him before he pulls me over the threshold.

The lights flip on in the same instant. I hear a group of people shout, “Surprise!” I look around the room and take it all in. A huge banner reads, “Congratulations, Poppy!” The room is decorated with graduation caps and green and white streamers. A bar and a DJ are set up in front of a small dance floor. Tall tables are scattered throughout, giving people places to sit or lean. I spin around and find him standing there with a wide, proud smile.

“Did you do this?”

He nods, and then I hear Lacey yell, “Hey, don’t take all the credit. We helped, too.” He laughs, and I turn back around to see my best friend standing next to my sister.

I feel his arms wrap around me and he whispers in my ear, “I’m so proud of you. We wanted you to know we all are. Now, let’s have some fun.” His breath on my neck sends a chill down my spine. I melt back into him.

“I love you,” I whisper. My body immediately tenses at the words I haven’t officially said until now.

He spins me around, so I am facing him. “What did you say?”

“I love you,” I repeat the words so only he can hear me.

He leans in and kisses me in front of the crowd of our friends and family. I hear a few people cheer, and I laugh against his mouth. “I love you too.”

My heart skips a beat, and the music starts to play. “Okay, that’s enough, you two. Please remember Dad is here,” Olive says.

My sister walks over and wraps me in a big hug. “Were you surprised?” she asks.

“Oh my god, yes, I don’t know how I didn’t know.”

“We're pretty good secret keepers,” she throws a wink at Logan. “That was quite the show you gave at the ceremony,” she laughs. “Mom has not stopped talking about you, yelling ‘that’s my girl’ when she walked across the stage. I think you might have surpassed David for the favorite spot.”

“I don’t know how I didn’t turn ten different shades of red,” I laugh. “Did you see Dr. Williams’ face? I think she was mortified.”

He takes me into his arms and plants a kiss on the sensitive spot on my neck. “Well, I was proud of you, and I needed everyone to know you’re mine.”

I relax into him. ”Do you want a drink? Olive?” he asks.

“I’ll take a cab,” she says.

“I’ll have my usual, please.”

He kisses my cheek and walks away.

“I’m so happy for you, Poppy. Y’all seem really happy.”

“We are…” My voice trails off and my gaze finds Logan at the bar. My phone pings and I look down to read the message.

Logan: Hey Ms. Collins. I love you!

I look back over towards him. A gigantic grin is plastered across his face. “We said ‘I love you’ tonight.”

---