AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lifting my weary head, I see it just out of arm’s reach. Leaning in that direction, I grab a corner of the box and manage to pull it to me, only to find it empty. Flopping face-first back into my soggy pillow, I wince at the sensation as I have an epiphany.
Pushing myself up on my elbow, I flip my pillow over and collapse back in. There. That’s better.
I’d managed two days before I could have a day off to wallow in this. And wallow I have. But I’m entitled. And I’m getting this out of my system before I head back to work, darn it. There’s no way I’m letting him see me like this. He’s stolen enough from me. Or should I say, bought? He’s not entitled to my tears.
So, for now, I listen to Billie Eilish singing “What Was I Made For?” on an endless loop.
Trying to find a silver lining to this experience, I focus on what I’ve learned:
Never trust a man.
Keep this to yourself, or Kat or Agnes might have you on a Tinder date before the day is over.
Don’t listen to Billie Eilish when you’re depressed.
If you’re ever, in any way, tempted by a sexy smile, refer back to number one.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
POPPY
“Poppy. You have another delivery!” Abbie yells from the front of the pharmacy.
“You take it.”
“You don’t even want to see this one?” She pauses. “Wow, this one is stunning, Poppy.”
“Don’t care.” Of course, it is. If you can’t get what you want honestly, you maneuver and buy your way in. I’m not letting this man get to me.
Even if I can’t stop thinking about him.
Sensing a presence behind me as I compound a medication in the sterile hood, I look over my shoulder to find Abbie leaning against the door frame. She’s grasping a monochrome bouquet of some of the prettiest white flowers imaginable. Roses, anemones, and ranunculus, peonies, and hydrangeas tied tightly within a satin bow.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Nope.”
“C’mon, Poppy. My life is so dull. I work here, go to class, and then take care of my baby brother while I spend my evenings buried in chemistry books. Let me live through you a little.”
“Trust me, Abbie. My life isn’t how it seems.” My task complete, I package it for the patient and walk to the sink to wash my hands. There was a time, even I thought I had it all. Yet my life was all smoke and mirrors. “It always looks greener in someone else’s yard.”
“Heck, Poppy. I don’t even have a yard. Literally.” She chuckles. “But I think I’d settle for a bad boyfriend after this draught.”
“I’d rather be alone,” I snap.
She comes closer, sans flowers. “But someone cares enough to keep sending you those.” Abbie points behind her. It’s been almost a month of these nonstop deliveries. I haven’t disclosed who they’re from, instead calling the volunteers to come pick them up and deliver them to some of the patients without visitors.
“I’ve discovered there’s a fine line between the words care and control.”
Abbie climbs onto a stool, appearing to mull over my words. “Did he cheat?”
“No.” I reach into my pocket, finding a small tube of hand lotion. “But I’m a strong, independent woman. I don’t need any man manipulating me.”
Abbie logs into the computer where she’s seated. “I guess.” She grows quiet. “I just don’t want to end up all alone like my mother. She works all the time to take care of my brother and me. And then goes to sleep alone, only to do it all over again the next day; for years, that’s been her life.”
Turning to her, I reach over and rub her arm. “Did your mother and father go through a bad divorce?”
“No. My dad died when I was sixteen. He had lung cancer. Never smoked a day in his life but died of lung cancer.”
