Page 51 of Chasing Elliott
As the woman disappeared around the corner, Mia came walking back over and sat down with her head tilted up at me. Smiling, I bent down and latched the hook back on her collar before I reached for the cart.
Walking over to the register, I started to pull out the countless items I had bought for her. As I placed them on the conveyor belt, Mia jumped up with her paws on the register and the elephant in her mouth.
"Isn't she just the smartest dog I've ever met," the cashier said as she laughed lightly and ripped the tag off the stuffed animal to scan it.
"She's definitely an intelligent one," I agreed as I put the final item on the belt. Waiting for her to finish bagging the smaller items, I quickly paid and put everything back in the cart before we slipped outside into the cool air.
"There," I said, satisfied as I found the perfect spot for Mia's bed in Elliott and Kara’s living room, right in front of the television stand. "You're all moved in."
"So, what do you have planned for tonight?" Kara asked as she sat on the floor, petting Mia while trying to avoid the kisses she wanted to plant on her face.
"I was going to order in from her favorite Chinese place and I bought a movie shementioned last week she really wanted to watch. Didn't want to take her out on her first night with Mia."
Kara laughed and nodded her head in understanding. Pushing herself to her feet, she sauntered over to me and reached around me to grab her purse off the island.
"Well, I'll leave you two to it," she informed me as she reached up to place a kiss on my cheek. "Thank you for being so good to her. All I want is for her to be happy."
"You and me both."
With that, Kara smiled at me one last time and pet Mia on the head before she slipped out the door. A couple minutes later, I received a text from Kara informing me that Elliott had pulled into the lot.
Quickly jumping off the couch, I grabbed the blindfold I had resting on the counter and shoved it in my pocket. Glancing at my watch, I knew I had about fifteen minutes before the food arrived.
Slipping out the door, I closed it behind me and waited there with a smile. Elliott came walking up the sidewalk and beamed brightly when she saw me. She was wearing a simple whitelace top with a pair of skinny jeans and her converse.
As she approached, I reached for her hand and pulled her into my chest as I captured herlips in mine. Giggling softly, she pulled back slightly as her left hand came to rest on my bicep.
"Didn't expect to see you here," she said with a twinkle in her eye. "I'm glad though, except you have that mischievous look in your eyes. What on earth are you up to, Benny?"
"Turn around," I told her softly. She raised a brow at me but obliged anyway, folding herarms over her chest as she did so. Grabbing the blindfold out of my pocket, I folded it in half and went to place it over her eyes.
"This has got to be good," Elliott chuckled as I spun her back toward me and grabbed her outstretched hands. Opening the door, I peeked my head in and saw Mia sitting there with herhead tilted to the side.
Slowly walking in, I was happy that she stayed put rather than running over to us like Ihad expected her to. Closing the door, I stood in front of Elliott and rubbed my thumb along her hand.
"I wanted to do something for you that I knew you couldn't do for yourself. I am so amazed by your caring heart and your free spirit, Elli. I aspire to be like you. I also wanted to thank you for all you've done for me and for putting up with me, so I got you something. Orrather, someone."
Right as I finished speaking, I took the blindfold off her. As soon as her eyes fell on Mia, I saw them start to water before she closed the distance between them. Mia started barking happily as her tail wagged wildly, attacking Elliott's face with an excessive amount of kisses, making her laugh loudly.
My smile grew when Mia calmed down and Elliott wrapped her arms around her neck. I heard her crying softly so I walked over and put a hand on her shoulder which caused her to quickly stand up and throw her arms around my neck.
I held her tightly to me as she sobbed quietly into my shoulder. Rubbing circles on her back, I waited for her to calm down before pulling away.
"Benny, I don't even know what to say," she choked out as she ran the back of her hand along her cheeks, trying to get rid of the tears. "This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever donefor me."
"I saw how much you loved her, there's no way I could let you two stay apart." Elliott chuckled softly as she shook her head at me. Pushing herself up on the balls of her feet, she gently pushed her lips against mine before she pulled away with slightly flushed cheeks.
"I'm sorry that I've had such a hard time, especially considering how crazy I am about you. I've just been waiting for my head and my heart to get on the same page," Elliott said, trailing off.
"I totally understand," I told her with a weak smile as I cupped her cheek in my hand, using my thumb to brush away a few of the stray tears.
"Ask me," she mumbled, a small smile pulling at her lips.
Furrowing my brows, I stared at her in confusion until it dawned on me. A large smile plastered my face as I grabbed both of her hands in mine and pushed my lips to her forehead before l pulled back and looked into her beautiful blue eyes.
"Elliott, would you make me the happiest man in the world and be my girlfriend?"
Elliott nodded her head furiously as she threw her arms back around my neck. I wasted no time in colliding our lips together, kissing her passionately as I felt Mia brushing against our legs while she barked in excitement.
