Alex! Thank you so much for the flowers! They're beautiful. You didn't have to do that.

An instant smile makes its way onto my face and relief washes over me knowing that she got the 21 white roses I sent her for her birthday.

You're welcome. Happy 21st, Joss!

I pocket my phone and quickly board the plane, ready for my flight to Nashville. What Joslyn doesn't know is that her brother and Zack are throwing her a huge surprise birthday party. Joe messaged me over social media about a month ago inviting me to come if I could. I couldn't pass it up.

I can only stay for an hour or so until I have to get back on the plane, back to New York. Even though I'm supposed to be on a break, Chris booked me some studio time and I can't miss it. Right after today's session, I immediately went to catch a plane and I'm now on my way to try to spend as much time as I can at Joslyn's party. I'm already running late, knowing I won't be there when she walks in and they all yell surprise.

Unfortunately, while I've managed to keep my trip to Nashville a secret from Chris, Milo found out. He watches me like a hawk so it doesn't surprise me much, and he insisted that he come with me for protection or else he'll tell Chris who I know will forbid me from going, scared I won't make it back in time for the studio. But I have it all planed out to make it back in time.

Stepping off the plane, a car service is waiting for us. I give the driver the address of the bar Joe sent me and we take off. When we arrive it's a small bar just outside the city. There's quite a few cars in the parking lot and I can tell the party is in full swing.

Stepping inside, the building is a decent size, holding quite a few people. It's rustic with modern touches here and there. Everything is wood aside from the dark steel counter tops of the bar and tables scattered about. The soft, warm glow from the modern hanging light fixtures gives it an overall relaxed vibe.

Looking to the bar, there's a huge banner hanging from the ceiling that reads 'Happy 21st Birthday Joslyn' and balloons are scattered about.

Over the low rumble of the crowd and music coming from the speakers, I can hear an all too familiar laugh. Looking to my left, I spot Joslyn with her head thrown back laughing at something Joe or Zack must have said.

She looks beautiful. Her smile is wide, eyes crinkling in the corners as her, Joe, and Zack animatedly talk about something. She's wearing high waisted black leather shorts with a flowy white top that's tucked in at one side. The high heeled wedges she's wearing make her lean tan legs look like they go on for miles.

She turns to grab her drink from a nearby table and her eyes find mine. Confusion flashes over her face before her smile stretches even wider in realization. Setting her drink back down, she walks towards me, a disbelieving smile on her face.

"What are you doing here?" she asks excitedly, opening her arms for a hug.

"I couldn't miss your twenty first birthday," I admit, hugging her tightly, admiring her vanilla scented perfume.

She pulls back, eyes questioning. "How did you know about this?"

"Joe told me."

She laughs, shaking her head. "I guess this really is a surprise party. I'm amazed everyone's been able to keep this so tight lipped. I really thought I was going to be alone for my twenty first birthday," she admits with a sheepish smile, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

Joe mentioned that the first part of the surprise, aside from the party, was that him, the boys, and her dad were coming home for her birthday. Initially, they had Joslyn believe that they couldn't make it back home from tour for her birthday.

"Definitely not." I chuckle, gesturing around the room full of people.

She giggles and gives a little shrug in agreement. She looks to my right, a humorous smile making its way on her lips. "Hey, Milo. I'm definitely surprised to see you here," she jokes.

Milo just nods in greeting.

In the dim light I can see that her hazel eyes are glossy, slightly hooded, and her cheeks a bit flushed. Her permanent lazy smile tells me that the alcohol she's already consumed is starting to take effect.

"Hey, man!" Joe comes up behind her, giving me a bro hug. "Glad you could make it."

"Good to see you again." Zack is right behind him, greeting me with a hug as well.

We stand around and chat for a bit until a chorus of happy birthday breaks out through the bar. Joslyn's dad emerges from the back with a big sheet cake in hand. He's carrying it on his forearm while the other hand cups around the candles to be sure they don't blow out.

"Happy birthday dear Joslyn, happy birthday to you!" The whole bar sings and she hides her face behind her hands in embarrassment due to all of the attention on her.

Her dad sets the cake down on a nearby table and she steps up, pulling her hair back before closing her eyes in thought, blowing out her candles to make a wish. The crowd erupts into cheers and claps.

"Happy birthday, princess!" Zack sneaks up behind her placing a tiara on her head that has a bedazzled 21 on it.

She laughs while shaking her head in amusement, adjusting the plastic on top of her head.

"Shots!" Joe calls, carrying a large tray of shots from the bar. He passes them out to Joslyn, her dad, and his bandmates. They all cheers and throw the liquid back.

Joslyn scrunches up her face, shaking her head. "Ugh, no more!" she whines, coughing a bit after.

"Oh come on, don't be a baby on your twenty-first birthday," Joe teases.

"I am not a baby. I just want to be able to remember my twenty first birthday."

"What's the fun in that?" Zack jokes.

"How about this, you two can live it up and not remember it for me," she muses.

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Zack grins, grabbing another shot from the tray, tipping it back.

She just laughs, rolling her eyes.

Once things die back down, I know I don't have much time left. Finding Joslyn, I gently grab her elbow to get her attention. "Hey, mind if I steal you for a second?"

"Not at all." She shakes her head, excusing herself from the group of people she's talking with. "Do you mind if we go outside for a second? I'm burning up." She fans her flushed face with her hands.

"No." I laugh and gesture for her to lead the way.

She goes to a set of double doors that lead out to a back patio. There are a handful of tables out there and twinkling lights strung above the enclosed space, giving it a warm glow. I hold the door open for her and she steps out. Right as I'm about to follow her I feel someone behind me.

"No," groan as Milo tries to make his way outside with us. "Please," I beg. "Please just let me have ten minutes with her. You can stand right here, but please, just stay inside."

He looks hesitant.

"Please."

He sighs but takes a step back, standing to the left of the door, inside. As much as I wish he wasn't here at all, it'll have to do. I guess it's better to have him watching from inside instead of standing right beside me.

"Thank you." I walk out the door and meet Joslyn at one of the tables. "Hey," I say softly.

"Hey." She smiles, tearing her gaze away from the distant city lights. "Sorry, it was just really stuffy in there." She takes off the plastic tiara on top of her head, setting it on the table to run her fingers through her hair.

"It's no problem." I shrug casually. I'm actually glad I got her alone for a second. "I have a present for you," I say, handing her a shoebox wrapped in sliver paper that I've actually been carrying all night.

"Alex," she whines with an adorable pout on her face. "You already bought me flowers!"

"I know," I chuckle. "But I had to get you this too," I say, suddenly starting to feel nervous, biting the inside of my cheek.

She raises her eyebrows, but carefully unwraps the box. Opening it, she finds the white tulip inside. Furrowing her brows, she looks up at me confused. "You already got me flowers." She giggles.

"I know," I repeat. "But read the tag."

Her brow furrows deeper and she finds the tag attached to the flower. She pulls it out of the box, bringing it closer to her face to read.

Happy 21st birthday, Joslyn!

I hope you have a great day full of fun and memories! Speaking of memories, remember when you told me how you never got your flower from Amsterdam? Well, I sort of switched my flight you booked me the last day of tour to make a quick stop in Amsterdam to get you your flower. I hope you don't mind.

-Alex

Attached to the back of the note is a picture I took of me holding up the tulip in front of the Amstel River.

While reading the note her face falls and her eyes become glossy. Not from the alcohol this time. She looks like she's about to cry and I feel utter guilt rush through me.

"I'm sorry," I profusely apologize when she looks up from the letter at me in disbelief. "God, I'm so stupid," I scold myself, tugging at my hair. "I knew I shouldn't have done that. I knew you probably wanted to pick out your own flower, or maybe you don't want one at all if it's not from your first time there. I'm sorry. I just tho—"

I'm cut off from my nervous rambling when her arms wrap around me, mine instinctively hugging her back.

"You really did that?" she whispers.

"Uh-huh," I answer, still nervous about her reaction.

"Alex," she pulls back to look up at me, "I can't believe you did that. I love it." She adorably pouts again, trying not to cry.

"Really? You don't hate it?" I cautiously ask.

"Hate it? How on earth could I hate it? This is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me."

Relief washes over me.

"Really? I just thought maybe you'd be upset because you didn't get to pick it out yourself. I got you a tulip because it's sort of a staple flower there, and then obviously white is your favorite color," I explain. "You can always take my tag off. I already attached a second ribbon so you can add your own picture from Amsterdam," I quickly add.

"I'm not removing your tag," she deems, looking over it once more, smiling. "Alex, I can't believe you did this. Thank you."

"It was no big deal." I shrug, playing it cool.

She gives me a pointed look. "Alex, you went all the way to Amsterdam. It's kind of a big deal."

"There's one more present."

"Alex," she groans. "No. No more presents."

"Just one more." I smile, handing her back the box.

She sets her flower with the note down gently on the table and takes the box, shaking it. The small object inside rattles around and she looks at me questionably. Removing the tissue paper from inside the box, she finds the small keychain inside. Her face drops and she looks like she's going to cry again.

"Please don't cry," I beg with a chuckle.

"I'm not crying," she fibs, voice strained, trying to hold back her tears. "Alex, this is so sweet."

"Now you officially have one of those license plate keychains with your name on it."

She smiles, inspecting the small keychain I had specially made for her. Her name fits perfectly on the small Tennessee license plate. I remember when she first told me about the start of her flower collection because no classic souvenir has her name on it, and she specifically mentioned one of these keychains.

"Thank you," she whispers, pulling me in for another hug after she wipes a tear that escapes. "Sorry I'm crying. This is just super sweet, and it may be because of the alcohol too." She giggles, followed by a sniffle.

"It's ok." I chuckle, holding her tighter and running my hand down her long dark brown hair.

"So, this is what you meant by visiting me in Nashville, huh?"

"Not exactly," I admit. "I'm still hoping to come back in a week or so if you'll have me," I ask hopefully.

I feel her nod her against my shoulder. "Defiantly." I hear the smile in her voice that makes me feel elated.

Looking up, I can just see Milo through the glass doors pointing at his watch, signaling that we should get going. I close my eyes, hoping that if I wish hard enough, maybe he'll disappear. To my dismay, he doesn't when I open my eyes. He just looks more annoyed.

Sighing, I let my eyes flutter shunt again and hug Joslyn even more tighter, finding myself wanting to stay in this moment a little longer.

"You know," I muse. "You really lucked out on having your birthday over break. If it was during tour I totally would have made you come on stage and have everyone sing to you."

She gasps, lightly swatting my back. "You would not have."

"Totally would have," I challenge, wanting to get a rise out of her.

"I would literally kill you."

"No you wouldn't," I call her out on her empty threat.

"Wanna bet?" She pulls her face away from my shoulder, quirking up a brow.

"Say scouts honor," I challenge.

Before she can open her mouth the back door squeaks open.

"Alex," Milo's deep voice calls out and I let out a long sigh. "We need to get going."

Reluctantly pulling away, Joslyn has a small frown on her face.

"You're leaving so soon?" she asks.

"Yeah," I sadly admit. "Chris booked me studio time and he'd kill me if I skipped it."

She nods in understanding. "Thank you for coming. Thank you for everything. You didn't have to do all of this." She gestures to the gifts and to the bar in general.

"Had to. You only turn twenty-one once." I grin and she gives me a shy smile back.

Turning to the table, she delicately places the flower and key chain back in the box, closing it. Placing the tiara back on her head, she gently grabs the box and carries it as if fragile glass is inside.

She walks me to the front of the bar to tell me goodbye.

"I'll see you soon?" I whisper hopefully into her ear as we hug goodbye, hoping Milo doesn't hear.

"Yeah," she agrees. "Just text me and we can set something up."

As much as I don't want to leave, I know Chis will have my head if I don't make it back to the studio in time. I love seeing Joslyn so happy and care free. It's nice getting a sneak peek into her real life, seeing and meeting so many people that love and care about her. Joslyn's a great girl and I couldn't be luckier to have her come into my life.