You, you're back at it again

 Steve guessed Alfie and Poppy were OK. At least she came back. Of course, Steve had other things to worry about. Like finding a better job. But it wouldn't be in the city. It would be off in a farm town in Iowa.

It was intriguing how it came to be. Initially, it was Rylie who got the job at the town library. An old Victorian house had been left to her by a great Aunt who passed. Sure, it needed a lot of work and possibly she could have sold it, but instead, she stayed, and she got on as the Children's librarian because they were impressed with her STEM activities with preschoolers. It was all so sudden and possibly accidental, but with Riley's help, Melissa got on as creator and director of a Maker's Space which was something the community didn't know they needed until now.

Thus, it was pretty much a happy ending. Melissa and Victoria's mom was in a better mood now and at least Victoria had told them about the pregnancy. Really, it had been a stressful summer.

 Finally, they had his parents' house. Of course, he couldn't imagine anything being any more exciting. And then he got on at the same library where Rylie and Melissa worked, as head of adult services. He was happy to be in a library again.

Still, it was about an hour commute every day, but Steve didn't seem to mind. Victoria could go on with her studies and of course, work at the drugstore. Yet, he was in another book in his life and it felt he had less and less to talk about to Alfie and he hated it.

"Are you really sure, you two are-" Steve really didn't know how to finish that sentence. It felt Alfie was in a rut. As usual, he hadn't changed. Maybe Poppy hadn't either, but Steve felt she was much more distant.

"It's fine, we're fine," Alfie smirked as if he wanted Steve to keep quiet while he and Victoria were over for a little celebration party. After all, Steve and Victoria moved to his parents' house and weren't Alfie and Poppy's neighbors anymore.

"She just doesn't want to make a big deal about it," Alfie whispered. "You can't talk about it. We can't talk about it."

"Well, that's not right," Steve winced. "You two need to talk about the future."

"Oh, I bet you and V talk about the future all the time," Alfie teased while he was grilling steaks Steve just knew he was overcooking them.

"We do. We are getting married." Steve was bright-eyed about it. Of course, they were getting married down at the park by the river. It wasn't a big celebration, but at least their parents would be there as well as a few friends. It was going to happen in just a few weeks.

Alfie sighed as if he wished Steve hadn't brought it up. "I guess V is chatting Poppy up, right now about the big bash, isn't she?"

"Well, of course, she wants Poppy to be in the wedding," Steve told him.  Alfie drew in a frown. He hadn't even gotten Poppy an engagement ring like he said he would.

"I guess she'll have to buy that too," Steve couldn't help but say. Of course, Alfie wouldn't even look at him.

"Go ahead, be mad." Steve crossed his arms, thinking this was the worst celebration ever. "We've been friends long enough, I can say anything. Can you anything and everything to Poppy?"

Still, Alfie wouldn't look at him.

"You're like you've always been. You like to say something that will make people happy."

"Not always," Alfie flipped the steaks over and the smoke rose. "I've said a few things to Poppy. She knows how I am."

"Right." But Steve didn't believe him. "Look, life is short. You've got to get moving or you will lose Poppy."