Chapter Seven

"That cologne smells familiar..." Katie said suspiciously as she began walking around the apartment. She then walked into Annie's room and saw the duffle bag sitting on the floor. "So someone is here. Why didn't you tell me, A?"

"I uh, I just. Um, well I. It's private?" Annie replied, looking down. Just then they heard a crash and a yelp coming from the linen closet.

Katie immediately rushed over and opened the door, a loud gasp escaping her lips. "WHAT THE HELL?!"

Patrick and Annie both shared looks of terror.

Annie was the first to speak up, "Please don't tell."

"Why would I tell? Annie, sweetie, you're my best friend. All I want right now is an explanation." Katie replied, her voice surprisingly calm.

Patrick slowly walked over to Annie and took her hand in his, "I love her." He spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Katie asked, hurt in her voice and on her features.

"Well technically, I did. Remember the guy on the elevator?" Annie replied, picking at her nails, a nervous habit of hers.

"No way! You," Katie said, pointing at Patrick, "are Mr. Elevator. Gosh, that's hot, but also illegal. Very illegal."

"We know, we know it looks wrong. But it's the most right I've ever felt about anything. And we tried to fight it, we did. But we love each other." Annie replied, giving Patrick a shy smile.

Katie looked at Patrick, "I can see that you make her happy, but you hurt her, you're dead. Got it, buddy?"

Patrick quickly nodded, "I would never hurt her. I couldn't if I tried." He had to admit the blonde girl standing in front of him was terrifying.

Annie just watched the two of them awkwardly, "So... I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. You have no idea how much I wanted to."

"I understand. But now I know, so I can admire you two cuties in class." Katie said with a giggle.

"So you're okay with this?" Annie asked, motioning between her and Ezra.

"If you're happy, I'm happy. You know that. Listen, I'm really sorry for trying to set you up with so many guys. I kind of failed in the bestie department." Katie said regretfully.

Patrick's face became jealous for a moment before shaking it off, "Yeah, you could stop that now." He mumbled with a chuckle.

"We were watching a movie, do you want to join us? That's okay, right Patrick?" Annie asked, looking at her best friend and her boyfriend.

"Of course, we'd be happy to have you. We don't really ever get to do things with other people, for obvious reasons." Patrick said, nodding his head in confirmation. He then wrapped his arm around Annie, allowing her to snuggle closer into his side.

"I'd love to see you two as a couple, but I don't want to intrude—"

"—You could never intrude, you're basically my sister." Annie interrupted, hugging her friend.

"Then I would love to stay." Katie confirmed, smiling brightly.

They all sat in the living room and continued the movie. It was an extremely sappy chick flick, Safe Haven. But Patrick didn't minds what made Annie happy made him happy. And he was so happy to see her able to relax with not just him, but her best friend as well. This meant a lot to both he and Annie, able to feel like a real couple.

He was in a trance, staring at the two girls, Annie curled into his side when the movie came to an end.

Annie waved her hand in his face, "Hmm?" Was his only response.

"Where have you been?" Annie asked, a smile playing on her gorgeous face.

"Just thinking about how happy you've made me." He replied before taking her face in his hands and placing a sweet kiss on her lips.

Katie made cleared her throat as the two lovers became more heated, "That is my cue to leave. Goodnight guys."

Annie hopped up, "I'll walk you to the door." When they got to the doorway they both walked out and Annie closed the front door behind them, "Thank you for being so cool with this."

"Of course. I will always support you. Just be careful, okay? I don't want you to get hurt. But I can see how much he really loves you, and how much you love him. One condition?" Katie replied with warmth and sincerity.

"Anything?"

"I will be your Maid of Honor." Katie said with a laugh, but you could tell she was completely serious.

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Be safe on your way home, I love you" Annie replied before embracing her friend.

"I love you too, A," she began walking down the hall, then turned her head back, "By the way, I expect all the sexy details."

Annie laughed and with that her best friend was gone. She turned and went back to find Patrick asleep on the couch. She giggle before cuddling herself next to him and placing a kiss on his cheek, "Thank you." She said quietly.

Before long they were both asleep, safe in each other's arms.

...

Sunday came quickly and Patrick was leaving the apartment.

"Thank you for staying with me." Annie said shyly.

"The pleasure was all mine. I love you, so much." He replied, placing a kiss on her forehead. They stayed there for a few minutes before he had to leave.

"See you tomorrow." She said with a wink as he made his way to the elevator. Just as the elevator opened her family piled out and a very frightened Patrick stepped in. Ezra gave him a warm smile before continuing down the hall to their door.

Annie was doing her best not to panic, they couldn't have noticed. Could they? "Dad! Mom! Daisy! I miss you all so much, so happy to have you home!" She said quickly and a little to excitedly.

"Hey honey, what are you doing at the door?" Ezra asked, a confused expression on his face.

"I just heard you the elevator and thought I would see if it was you. Did I mention how much I missed you?" Annie replied nervously, her parents didn't seem to notice to her relief.

"Sissy, auntie Spencer is going to have a baby!" Daisy said, her 's' sounding like 'th' through the gap in her teeth.

"Is she? That's great!" Anne said, ruffling her kid sister's hair.

"Does that make me an auntie?" The seven year old girl asked curiously.

"No, auntie Spencer's baby would be like your cousin." Annie said, plopping herself down on the couch.

"I've never had a cousin! That will be so much fun!" The small girl exclaimed, giddily running down the hall to tell her mother her new discovery.

Annie's phone buzzed and she looked to see that it was Patrick.

Patrick: Close call, too close.

Annie: I know. But they didn't notice.

Patrick: Can you imagine if they got there two minutes earlier?

Annie: I'd rather not imagine that... Ever.

Patrick: Me either, your dad terrifies me.

Annie: Are you kidding? My dad wouldn't hurt a fly.

Patrick: If that fly had spent the weekend making out with his daughter he might.

Annie: Mmm... I miss you.

Patrick: I know the feeling...

...

Aria sat next to Annie on the couch that evening, "So, what exactly did you do while we were away?"

"Nothing. The usual, Katie came over to watch movies." Annie replied. Okay, that wasn't a total lie.

"Fun. So, no boys? I know dad said they weren't allowed. But we both know you didn't stick to that rule." Aria questioned with a grin on he face.

"Nope. No boys." Annie replied. Not a total lie either, she was with a man, not a boy.

"You're no fun. I can only imagine what I would've have done if I was your age with a house to myself. But you are much more responsible, that's why we can trust you." Aria said warmly.

The guilt inside Annie was killing her so her only response was a light chuckle. Keeping this a secret was going to be much harder than she thought.

...

So Katie's reaction! Who do you think Katie is most like? Hanna, Emily or Spencer? I've tried to make her a balance of all three but I would love to see what you all think. I am beyond amazed by the feedback I've gotten for this story. So thank you, I love each and everyone of you so much.

xoxo
-RissyWrites