Page 76 of More Than Falling in Love

She taps me when we get to our station, and as I near the exit, she hollers, “Duck.”

Being tall has its disadvantages.

I follow her up a staircase and through a turnstile.

She points toward another set of stairs.“You ready for New York?”

“I’m ready to see Poppy.”

“Come on, cowboy.Her place is only a few blocks away.”

Blinking, I let my eyes adjust to the bright sun.It’s a good thing Parker packed a jacket for me because it’s cold.“Which way?”

“Over there.”Tandy must speed walk in her free time because I don’t have to slow down for her to keep up.“I’ll wait around outside until I know she let you in; then I’ll get lost.”

“I really appreciate this.”

“Yep.You owe me.”She cackles, then swats my arm.“I’m joking.Relax.”

Outside the apartment building, I suck in a deep breath.“Wish me luck.”I catch the door as someone steps out of the building, then take the stairs two at a time.Standing at Poppy’s door, I knock, wishing I’d stopped to get flowers.But maybe that’s not the right thing for telling her I want to be just her friend.

I’d be more in a heartbeat, but Poppy is right.Living far apart makes a relationship impossible.No less desirable, but I’m hoping that fades with time.

After a couple of minutes, I knock again.“Flutter, It’s me.Can we talk?”

A door down the hall creaks as it opens.“They were moving boxes and furniture out of there earlier today.I don’t think anyone is home.”

“Thanks.”I’m hoping Tandy has another idea because I didn’t come all this way to give up now.I walk outside.“Neighbor says she moved out.Where to next?”

“Hmm.To her office.”Tandy holds out her arm like she’s leading a charge.“Back to the subway.”

The train is pulling up as we reach the platform, and we make it inside before the doors close.Seats are full, so I hold onto a bar.Tandy can’t reach the bar, so she hangs onto me.

It’s not awkward at all.

“Be careful where you grab.I’m recovering from surgery.”

“I heard about that.But how did you break your hand?”She nods toward my cast.

It’s bright green.I let Mason choose the color when they switched me from a brace to a cast, and his name is written in bold letters.I didn’t let anyone else sign the thing.

“Chasing Poppy.”

“Oh, now that’s sweet.Remind me to write that down.”She focuses on her phone, tapping away with one had until we get to our stop.“Found out where it is.Her office, I mean.”

“How did you know which subway to take?”

“I knew what area.We went to lunch one day and she talked about work.But I didn’t know which building.”

I’m disappointed that the surprise has been ruined.“You asked her?”

“No!Silly boy.Of course I didn’t.I asked her dad.”

I’m not sure that’s better.

The building is right up the street from the subway station.Tandy waits in the lobby while I take the elevator up to the seventh floor.The office doors are locked, so I rap on the glass, hoping someone is there even if Poppy isn’t.

A woman walks around the corner, and after a second, a wide smile spreads across her face.She runs to the door and opens it.“You’re here for Poppy.”

---