Page 58 of Chasing Elliott
"Well thank you," I told him as I walked into the kitchen to grab a vase. "They'rebeautiful."
"Glad you like them," Cooper mumbled as he walked over to join me at the sink,wrapping his arms around my waist from behind and resting his chin on my shoulder. "What areyou going to wear tonight?"
"No idea," I groaned as I grabbed the vase that was now full of water and put the bouquet inside. "Want to help me?"
"I'd love nothing more."
I quickly finished brushing my hair as I heard a knock on the door. Slipping on my light denim jean jacket, I brushed down my white dress and jogged to get the door.
"Come in, hurry," Cooper said as I saw him letting in the people who had arrived. "They'll be here soon."
Just as the words left his mouth, my phone went off. Checking it, I saw it was Benjamin saying they'd be here in three minutes.
"Okay everyone, find a place to hide, they'll be here in a couple minutes," I announced as I nodded at Cooper to turn off the kitchen lights as I turned off the ones in the hall.
Quickly walking over to the chair nearest to the door, Cooper joined me and we crouched behind it. His hand started to trace small patterns on my thigh, his fingers creeping upward. Putting my hand on top of his to stop him, I leaned in to whisper in his ear.
"Don't worry," I told him quietly as I used my other hand to start playing with his hair like I knew he loved. "We'll finish what we started later."
Cooper flashed me a smile and surprised me as he leaned forward and captured my lips in his. Kissing him back, I suddenly heard a key in the lock and pulled away. I watched as the doorswung open and once the lights flicked on, everyone jumped out from behind their respectivehiding places and yelled, "surprise!"
"Oh my god," Kara said with a hand over her chest. "You scared me. I can't believe you did this."
Kara walked over and gave me a hug before Cooper approached and wrapped both of us in his arms, making us laugh.
She started making her rounds with Benjamin in tow, so I decided to head into the kitchen and take some of the food out of the fridge when I heard a knock on the door. Glancing around the room, my face contorted in confusion as I went to answer it. Pulling the door open, my heart dropped into my stomach, and I quickly stepped outside.
"What the hell are you doing here and how the fuck do you know where I live?" I hissed out as I stared down my mother.
"I asked Kara's mom," she replied with a shrug which caused my mouth to drop open. "Oh, don't give me that look. We're still friends."
"You are far from her friend," I seethed as I took a step back. "A friend wouldn't do what you did."
"They wouldn't do what you did, either."
My head snapped in her direction as my eyes narrowed in on her. I suddenly heard thedoor open, and my eyes widened slightly as Benjamin stepped outside.
"Kay is looking for you," he said slowly as he glanced between the two of us. "Shedoesn't want to eat or open gifts without you."
"I'll be right there," I told him as I forced a smile on my face. Benjamin nodded and turned to walk back into the townhome when my mother spoke up.
"You're not going to introduce me?" She asked, offended.
"Nope," I responded without hesitation. "Now go home and please for the love of god don't come back here again."
Not waiting for a reply, I pushed Benjamin forward so I could get inside and closed thedoor behind me. Taking a deep breath as I leaned against the door, Benjamin put a hand on my arm.
"Does Kay or Coop know?" He questioned sympathetically and I shook my head no in response. "Want to talk later?"
"I can't put you in that position, Benji," I said sadly as I saw Kara laughing with somefriends.
"I don't care, El," Benjamin told me sternly. "I don't like seeing you like this. We'll talk later."
I caught sight of Cooper smiling at me so I mustered up what little happiness I could and returned the smile just as Kara came walking over.
"Thanks again," she said with a smile. "Now let's eat, I'm starving."
Once everyone went home, it was just Cooper, Benjamin and I cleaning up the townhome. The party was rather enjoyable, but I kept noticing Benjamin giving me sidelongglances throughout the night. Grabbing the three trash bags by the door, I couldn't get my hand around the handle.
