Kellan
I had a restless night because I couldn’t understand why Elsie was so mad at me. I’m worried she has changed her mind about us. I have no idea what I have done to make her angry.
It’s nine o’clock in the morning, and I’m in the kitchen with a smoothie after my hour run. Running helps clear my head. Everyone else is still in bed. A part of me wants to wake Elsie and find out what is happening. But I know she will be hungover and cranky, so it would be a bad idea.

I sigh and take a drink of my smoothie. I hear movement, someone coming towards the kitchen. I hope it is Elsie, but when the person appears, I realise it is Cassie. She looks a little worse for wear; she is probably hungover too.
“Morning,” she says and heads straight for the coffee pot.
“Morning,” I reply.
Cassie offers me one, but I shake my head. She pours herself a mug and comes to join me at the table. She takes a sip and sighs in relief. I wonder if Cassie knows why Elsie is pissed at me.
“Is Elsie still sound asleep?”
“Yes. I thought it was best to leave her to sleep until she is ready to wake up.” I answer.

“Good choice, or you would be a dead man.” She laughs.
I chuckle and nod in agreement. I take another drink and then a deep breath.
“Cass, do you know why Elsie is so mad at me? I can’t work out what I have done wrong.”
The sadness in my voice is evident.

“Yes.”
Her answer is simple. I need more than one word. I sigh and run my fingers through my hair.
“Can you please tell me?” I plead.
It takes a minute, but Cassie nods.
“She thinks you have changed your mind about her moving in. She says you have been acting weird and distant for the last couple of weeks. She feels like your mind is somewhere else even when you are with her. Kellan, what is going on? I swear if you break my best friend’s heart, you better run.” She warns.
Elsie is right, I haven’t been acting like myself recently, but it isn’t what she thinks.
“Of course, I haven’t changed my mind. I want Elsie to move in with me. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.” I reply firmly.
Cassie raises her brow at me, “Then why have you been distant and pulling away?”
“I didn’t mean it to come across like that. Can I tell you a secret?” I ask.
“Yes.”
I take a deep breath before I tell her what is really going on.
“I bought an engagement ring for Elsie before we went to Paris. I was going to propose there, but I thought it would be too soon. But since we have gotten back, I have thought about it constantly. I want to ask her to marry me so badly, but I don’t know if the timing is right. And if I do, I want it to be perfect for her. It is why I have been acting strangely because I have had that on my mind.” I whisper, wanting to make sure no one else can hear what I am saying.
“Oh my God, really?” she gushes.
“Yes, but I don’t know if Elsie is ready for it. If I am moving too fast. I have never felt like this about someone, and I don’t know if I am getting ahead of myself. What are your thoughts? I need complete honesty from you, Cass.”
I don’t want her to tell me to go for it because she is excited for her best friend.
“I honestly believe Elsie would marry you tomorrow if she could. She loves you, Kellan, in a way she has never loved before. I have never seen my best friend as happy as she seems to be with you. Though I think maybe you should wait, just until after she has moved in with you.” She replies softly.
I appreciate her being honest with me.
“But you believe when I do; she will say yes?”
“I don’t doubt it, Kellan. Though, what reason will you tell her why you have been off?” she questions curiously.
“I have no idea! I don’t want to lie to her.”
“Hmm, perhaps you need to tell her the truth then, or as close to the truth as you can get, so it doesn’t ruin the surprise of a proposal.”
“I will come up with something.” I smile.
I don’t know what, but I will do whatever it takes to stop Elsie from being mad at me. Cassie and I chat until she goes for her shower. I finish off my smoothie and head to the bedroom.
I slip into the bed behind Elsie, who is still asleep and wrap my arm around her, pulling her body back to mine. I kiss over her shoulders.
“I love you, Elsie. Please don’t ever doubt that.” I whisper.
She groans and turns around so she is facing me. She slowly opens her eyes.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, rolling her eyes.
“Because I love you, and I need you to stop being mad at me,” I reply, stroking the hair away from her face.
“You don’t even know why I am mad at you!” she snaps.
It would seem her anger hasn’t subsided since last night.
“Yes, I do. You think I have changed my mind and been distant.”
She eyes me suspiciously, wondering how I suddenly know.
“I don’t think, I know.” She argues.
“Elsie, I swear it isn’t what you think. I haven’t changed my mind. I am eager for you to move in with me. I am ready for it. I have been acting strange because I have been planning something for you, and I am not ready to share with you what it is. I need you to trust me on this, sweetheart, please.” I beg.
It would seem I did have an excuse to tell her after all. I am not lying to her. I have a surprise for her; she just doesn’t need to know I plan to propose.
Elsie falls silent, and her eyes search mine. She is trying to work out, if I am being honest.
“Promise?” she asks.
“I promise, angel. You just need to trust me. Nothing has changed. I still love you, and I am excited for our next chapter.” I smile and kiss her softly.
Well, I try to, but she quickly pulls away.
“No, morning breath mixed with stale alcohol is disgusting. No kissing until I brush my teeth.” She exclaims and covers her mouth.
“Fine, I can wait,” I chuckle, “But are we okay?”
“Yes. I trust you, Kellan. I have been worried you don’t want me anymore or the plans we made because of how you have been.” She whimpers.
“Elsie, I will never stop wanting you, angel. I want a life with you. I promise you will find out soon enough what has been going on in my head. Can you hold on for me just a little longer?”
“Yes.” She smiles and kisses my cheek.
Thank God for that because the last thing I want is for her to think things have changed between us. I only need to wait another couple of weeks, and I can finally put the ring on her finger I have had for some time.