Page 14 of Operation Prom Date
Although, not really. As soon as Mick and I got together, I probably wouldn’t have as much time for hanging out like this. A twinge of sorrow went through me, and I told myself to stop being overdramatic about something that hadn’t even happened.
The sound of the door opening broke through the music that accompanied the credits rolling up the screen.
“Sounds like my mom is home,” I said.
Cooper shot up, his back stick straight. “Will she be upset that I’m in your bedroom?”
I hadn’t really thought about it, and it wasn’t like I had a lot of experience with boys in my room, but I couldn’t see her caring. “Nah. If anything, she’ll be surprised. We should really shock her. Put your hand on my knee and we’ll act like we were just making out.”
Cooper couldn’t look more horrified by the prospect, which made me worry we’d never be able to pull off tomorrow night’s plan. I tried to smother the offense that automatically drifted up because I was only joking and had my sights set on someone else anyway. But would it kill him to act like the idea wasn’t totally repulsive? My confidence with boys was shaky enough as it was.
“Kate?” Mom called. “I’m home, and I have some crazy stories for you. I have no idea what’s wrong with guys these days. Nadine’s doing the online dating thing, and she’s already had three guys send her pics of their—”
“I have company!” I shouted before Mom could finish. Judging from the heat in my cheeks and the flush in Cooper’s, it was too late to avoid veering into awkward territory. So much for shocking her—she definitely got the jump on that.
Mom stopped in the doorway. She was flushed as well, but more in the way that meant she’d had a few drinks and had done some dancing. “Oh. Hey, Kate’s company.” Her eyebrows scrunched up as she glanced from me to Cooper, and then back to me. Then she beamed at him like he was a puppy, and she hoped I’d keep him. Clearly she’d had too much to drink to be subtle.
“Mom, this is my friend Cooper. Cooper Callihan.”
“Callihan.” She pressed her lips together. “Your father’s a lawyer, right?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Cooper said, his usual light-heartedness gone. Almost like he thought Mom might interrogate him or perhaps ask him for legal advice.
“Please don’t call me ma’am. Makes me feel old. Call me Melanie. Or is that improper? I never know what the damn rules are with that kind of thing. I suppose I could settle for Ms. Hamilton, but I’d still prefer Melanie.” She swung her arm, and I noticed her heels were in her hand instead of on her feet. “Anyway, you guys have fun. But nottoomuch fun.”
“Thanks, Mom. Good night.”
She tapped the door. “I feel like I should say something parental, like this stays open. At least until we can discuss thisfriendshipmore.” She winked at me and giggled. Then her expression turned as serious as she could get it under the circumstances. “I’m not usually like this, or even drunk at all, I swear.”
“Remember to put aspirin and a glass of water by your bed. In fact, you should probably take one now.”
“Good idea.” Mom’s smile widened. “I love having a smart daughter who thinks ahead.” Her gaze moved to Cooper. “Which is why I’m a tad protective of her. Just so you know.” She stage-whispered. “See? I can totally pull off being all mom-like.”
“You’re definitely rocking the mom thing right now,” I said with a laugh, while also wishing she’d hurry and go to bed before she said anything else.
With a final wave, she was gone.
“Okay, I thought my mom wasn’t very embarrassing, but that…” I placed a hand on my cheek, hoping it didn’t look as pink as the heat radiating from it suggested. “Well, that was embarrassing.”
“It’s kind of nice, actually. I can see how much you guys care about each other.” Cooper stood. “I better get going.” He squeezed my shoulder, and while it made my sore muscles scream a little, the zips of energy counteracted it enough to make me want him to do it again. “Thanks for the movie.”
“Thanks for helping me with my operation.”
“Right. The Operation. Of course.” He lowered his hand, his fingertips dragging down my arm. “I’ll pick you up for the party tomorrow at seven. Since we’re going big, you might want to wear something a little bolder and flashier than usual.” Once he reached the doorway, he paused and glanced back at me. “But if you change your mind, we don’t have to go through with the plan. Just putting that out there.”
Dad and I used to go on missions all the time together. Like while we were shopping, he’d tell me to keep an eye out for a guy with a fedora—he wasn’t to be trusted. And we’d look until we found some random guy who had one on and plot our plan of attack. Not real attack, of course. But our hypothetical operations were detailed and epic.
Then there were the real ones, like cleaning the house as fast as we could before my mom came home, or surprising her with dinner, or buying her the perfect present for her birthday.
Real or fake, we used military lingo and acted as if our lives depended on our success. This entire operation brought back some of those good memories and the rush of making a plan of attack, and like back then, failure wasn’t an option. So bold, flashy clothes and attending a party where I pretended to be a little more than friends with Cooper? I could totally handle that.
“I won’t change my mind,” I said.
Chapter Nine
Kate
With the help of my friends Advil and IcyHot, I was able to push past the soreness in my muscles and curl my hair. In a few more weeks, my arms better be super toned from all the rowing.
