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“Do you and the others want to get a coffee after school?”
“Sorry, not today. I'm meeting Poppy and Sophia for some serious girl time.”
He feigned a shudder. “Don't want to get anywhere near that.” It was only then that he seemed to notice what I was doing. “What's that?”
“Just some rubbings.”
“You like it? Art, I mean.”
“Probably as much as you like football.”
“I knew you were an artist, I guess I just didn't realize you were so serious about it. It's cool what you're doing there but can you make a real living out of it?” He shook his head as a self-deprecating grin tugged at his mouth. “Sorry, I'm channeling my father. Never mind. I'll see you around.”
I barely got good-bye out of my mouth before the door closed at his back. Only a minute or two later, the door opened again and expecting to see Brad, I was surprised to see Mica. I swear it looked like relief on her face when she saw me, but why I had no idea. Her mouth opened as if to say something and just as quickly she shut it again.
“Mica?”
Without acknowledging me, she hurried away. What the hell.
***
The after-school hours found Poppy, Sophia and me sitting outside at the local coffee bar. I reached for my coffee as I studied Poppy from across the table. She looked tired. A glance at Sophia and I knew she shared my concerns. Tension had grown between her and Shawn, becoming obvious whenever we all got together. But even though Poppy was an open book, when she wanted privacy, no form of persuasion could get her to share and I knew this because I'd been picking away at her for days with no luck. I wasn't going to ask again, but my mouth opened before my brain could stop it.
“What's going on with you and Shawn?”
Her head snapped in my direction. “Fine, I'll tell you since clearly you're a dog with a bone.” She exhaled loudly and started fiddling with her cup. “We're growing apart.”
I nearly spit out my coffee. I wasn’t expecting to hear her say that. Sophia voiced my thoughts. “You aren't kidding?”
“No.”
“Damn. Poppy, you and Shawn, you're like eggs and bacon,” I said.
“I know.”
Concern rang clear in Sophia's voice when she asked, “What happened?”
“I love Shawn, but I'm not so sure I'm in love with him anymore.”
“Does he feel the same way?”
“No and yes.” Poppy leaned up and put her elbows on the table. “The truth is, I watch Lark and Bastian and the way they act together and it reminds me of when Shawn and I had that. We've been together for years, so it'll be different from the newness of their relationship, but I just don't feel that connection any longer.”
“Have you talked with him about it?” I asked.
“A little. It's hard because we've been friends for so long. I don't want to lose the friendship, but I don't see how we can keep it when we end the romance.”
“You are such good friends and have been even before you started dating. But it won’t be easy. Telling a guy you want to be friends is like the kiss of death, but in your case it would be stupid to allow the friendship to die just because the romance has. Shawn isn't stupid. You guys do love each other, even if you’re not ‘in’ love.”
Reaching across the table, I took her hand. “I think you'll both find your way to the other side of this. Sophia and I are here whenever you want to talk.”
“She's right.” Sophia added.
“Thank you, guys,” she whispered with tears in her eyes.
Chapter Twelve
The fall leaves slowly gave way to the bitter cold of winter and before I knew it, it was almost Christmas. Bastian had been gone for almost three weeks, three long and lonely weeks.
