Sealed With a Kiss

Fifteen

A/N: Unedited! I'm uploading this from my phone in the middle of nowhere driving (someone else is driving) to a college interview. Wish me luck guys!

***excuse the mistakes but I HAD to post this already so I rushed through it. Just a reminder of why we love Cole so freaking much ;)

XV: Shut Up and Drive

THE DINING ROOM WAS ABNORMALLY QUIET when Scott and I finally made it down there. All noise came to a standstill when we walked in. Blushing, I ducked my head and sat down on the closest chair. Nestled between Alice (exactly across from Cole so she can ogle at him some more) and Hannah. 

The conversations sparked again,  although now noticibly quieter. I sat fidgeting with my cloth napkin and trying to ignore the fact that Cole's piercing eyes were scanning my face. Hannah nudged me from the side and leaned towards me with her hand over her mouth to murmur to me. 

"What were you and Scottie over there up to?"

"Hush, Hannah," I said under my breath. She smiled wide, like a Cheshire cat. 

"Oh c'mon, tell me. I'll find out anyway," the way she said it, it made me believe her. She truly would, somehow. 

"He was showing me his family jewels." I said conspiratorially.

Hannah slammed her water glass down and spat out her drink in shock. She turned to me with wide eyes, ignoring the ones now on her, and stared at me with her jaw slack.

"You ok, Hannah?" I heard someone ask but we ignored it.

Instead I smiled, enjoying my little payback now that everyone was starring at her, and nodded. "I also saw some paintings and antiques in the family collection."

Once realization struck she looked around the table regarding the curious looks. "Oh cool."

When Hannah's incident was forgotten, she nudged me again and offered a little evil smirk. "Well played, White. Well played.

THE NEXT MORNING AT THE BREAK OF DAWN I got out of bed and dressed in the most casual clothes Hannah had packed for me. In boyfriend-fit jeans and a too-tight-to-be-considered-casual plaid shirt, I made my way down the stairs braiding my hair.

The manor was quiet except for the kitchen. It smelled of bacon and eggs and coffee, and I wondered in to see if I would find Scott.

The cook, a lovely Mexican-American woman, stood cooking. Besides her sitting on the bar was Isobel looking about as perfect at five in the morning as she had yesterday at a normal hour.

Her eyes lit up when she spotted me. "Poppy! Good morning."

I cautiously walked forward with a little wave. "Hello, Mrs. Hastings."

"Please, call me Isobel." I nodded and sat next to her. "Can we offer you some breakfast? It's a bit early but I'm sure Laura and I could fix something up for you."

I shook my head, "No I was actually hoping to find your son."

Her smile grew, "Oh? He's usually up for a ride at this time."

"That's my problem. I don't know where the stables are."

With a raised eyebrow, Isobel said, "He invited you?"

I nodded shyly,  uncomfortable with her sudden interest.

"Oh! Well let me just get someone to drive you out there. It can be a little confusing at first--"

"No need, I'm here." We both looked up to see Scott walk inside from the back door that led to the garden. "You ready?"

I nodded and hopped off the barstool. After a quick goodbye to both women in the kitchen, I followed behind Scott to a golf cart outside.