SPARKS FLY - c. evans

xxii. "happy birthday to you"

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO.
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"and they're all standing around me singing
'happy birthday to you'
but there was one thing missing"

- the moment i knew, taylor swift
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June 13, 2015

"Happy birthday, Chris," Addie exclaimed excitedly as she practically threw herself into his arms. It was Chris' 34th birthday party, and Adelaide had just arrived.

"Thanks, Addie," he laughed as he caught her, and he was too aware of how perfectly his arms fit wrapped around her waist. A part of him hoped she'd noticed as well.

"You're so old, it's frightening," she told him as she pulled away, although her hand stayed placed on his shoulder.

"Nine years isn't that big of a difference when you think about it," he winked, and Addie's head threw back with laughter.

"You've been drinking, I see," she smirked at him. "Well, in case you haven't had enough, here's your gift," she said, and lifted the bag she'd been carrying. Chris peaked inside and chuckled.

"A bottle of Moscato," he smiled at her, and wrapped her up in another hug. "Thanks, Addie," he laughed.

"Is Lizzie here? I have something I need to talk to her about," Addie said, her heart beating quicker than usual as she pulled away.

"Uhm, yeah, somewhere off with Scarlett and her family probably. You know how Liz is with babies," he gave a light chuckle, and Addie smiled in return.

"Okay," she pulled away completely, and Chris couldn't help but feel a little cold. "I'm gonna go find her." She flashed him a smile. "Don't miss me too much."

He smiled back, "No promises," he said, and winked once more, watching Addie as she walked off to find Elizabeth.

"Man, you're whipped," A deep voice spoke, startling Chris as the man, Anthony, laughed.

"What do you mean?" He asked defensively.

"You were all over her, Chris, you've got to do something about it."

"I do not like her, and I am not 'whipped'," Chris said, lowering his voice as the Pauls walked by. Truth be told, Chris knew he was starting to develop feelings for Adelaide. But he figured it would pass, and didn't want to bring any unnecessary attention to it. Hence, why he was so eager to deny it to anyone who mentioned it.

"Yeah, whatever you say. All I know is if I were you, I know what'd I'd be wishing for when I blew out my candles," Anthony said, patting Chris on the shoulder as Robert walked up. "Hey, man."

"Hey, did you guys see Addie? She brushed right past me looking for Lizzie, she looked worried."

"She was fine with me," Chris furrowed his brow, "She just said she had to talk to Lizzie, nothing more on what it was about, though."

"Weird," Robert said, subconsciously biting on his bottom lip.

"I hope everything's okay," Anthony said, his eyes lingering on Chris, trying to read his emotions.