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I pulled my shoes on, checking the time on my phone once I did. After breakfast this morning, everybody took it easy and we were all ready by eleven since that was the time we all planned to leave.

The plan was to leave at eleven and meet at Old town Marbella, explore the area and neighborhood there, get some pictures in since the neighborhood is absolutely gorgeous, do a little bit of shopping from the shopping street, have some lunch at a restaurant, and then spend some more time there.

Afterward, when the sunset would be closer, we would all head to Alameda park which was also stunning based on all the pictures I've seen. It looked like a greenhouse or even almost a sanctuary.

We would leave Alameda park after sunset, get back to the hotel, relax for a bit, and then meet at the restaurant downstairs for dinner again, just as we did last night.

I grabbed the tan purse that I brought along and tucked my phone, room keys, wallet, and a pack of gum into it. I stopped in front of the mirror, checking my appearance one last time. I had my hair pulled up into a half-up, half-down. "Oh," I mumbled, grabbing the sunglasses and placing them on my head.

I was wearing a crochet white crop top that was full sleeves but the sleeves were loose and flowy, falling past my hands. The top tied in the middle right at my sternum and with the white top, I paired flowy, almost bell-bottom blue denim jeans and converse. Content with how I looked for the day, I left the room, feeling a little relieved when Adam didn't open his door at the same time as me.

Maybe I can dodge him this time.

I managed to avoid him for breakfast but eventually met him downstairs. We didn't utter a word to each other, we haven't since last night. I really thought last night could stop after I helped him with his spider situation and that would be it. But no, because he just had to corner me at the door and bring up this stupid necklace I keep on.

I contemplated taking it off and putting it into my suitcase until I got back home but I was too scared to lose it here in Marbella forever. I hate him but that doesn't mean I don't still adore the gift he got me back then. Just because our relationship was ruined now doesn't mean it was never a good relationship at all. It was good. It was great. Until it wasn't.

I reached the elevator and was waiting for it when I heard footsteps approaching. "Are you fucking kidding me?" I mumbled to myself.

I didn't have to look to know it was him, I could feel it. I could spot Adam without even searching in the most crowded room.

I would always find him. He would always find me.

It used to feel natural to look for each other right away, it was instinct. There was always a pull. Not a magnetic pull at all. A pull that was inevitable. A pull that guaranteed no matter how far we were, we'd always meet in the middle. We'd always find each other. But everything changed when we became the ones to push each other away.

"Hey," he said.

I glanced at him quickly. "Hey." I took a peek at his clothes.

He wore a thin and flowy, summer, faded blue-grey button-up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. With that, he was wearing matching shorts, just a shade paler. He had on sneakers and a baseball cap on his head.

We stepped into the elevator and I pressed the button to the lobby, both of us standing in silence. I thanked God when we finally got to the lobby and walked out, quickly spotting the ones who were already here sitting on the couches, waiting for the rest. I walked over, sitting on the armrest of the couch beside Dad once I greeted everyone. "Who are we still waiting on?" I asked.

"The twins," Remy answered.

"And Georgia," aunt Bethany added.

I nodded in understanding as everyone got back to their conversations. I turned to my dad, patting his shoulder. He faced me, eyebrows raised. "Aren't we missing someone on the trip?"

He nodded. "I know. Janice."

Aunt Janice is Dad's cousin sister. She was supposed to come here but she wasn't sure if she could make it, last I checked. Aunt Janice is the cool aunt. She's not married, she has a new boyfriend every time I speak to her, she's always traveling because she works with a travel magazine, and every time she visits, she brings us gifts. And alcohol. It's been a while since I last saw her, so I was looking forward to meeting her on this trip.

If she makes it.

"She'll fly in today evening," Dad replied.

"She said so?"

He hummed, nodding. "She wouldn't miss Remy's or your wedding for the world. She took the rest of the week off. She's coming straight from Barcelona."

"Ooh la la," I chuckled with him. "So, how are we all getting to Old town Marbella? Cabs?"

He nodded again. "We all figured it would be more convenient and cheaper. We're blowing a lot on the engagement party and wedding," he mumbled. "To be honest, I don't understand why they want an engagement party. They already got engaged, why the announcement?" He huffed softly.

"Dad, she's only getting married once. Go all out for it. You'll regret it if you don't, you know."

"I know, I know. But you'll get married one day too. What about saving for that, hmm?"

I sighed, resting my arm over his shoulders. "That day is very, very far away. And by then, I'm sure we'll have more than enough," I laughed. "Plus, I save for my wedding too, you know that, don't you? And look, I know I'm your favorite, but you have got to stop making it so obvious."

He rolled his eyes just as I spotted the twins and Georgia jogging over.

"Sorry we're late," Ava exhaled.

"It's okay, Emma." Aspen smiled at them.

"I'm Ava," she replied hesitantly.

He sighed in defeat, shaking his head and facing Remy. "I'll never be able to tell."

She laughed, taking his hand and both of them heading out first. All of us followed and by the time we made it out, it was decided that whoever you stood with, you'd share a cab with them. Old town Marbella wasn't too far from here, twenty minutes tops.

"Weren't you supposed to tell me about your book?" Emma asked, jogging over to me.

"Weren't you supposed to come to my room?" I retorted as she linked her arm with mine.

"I was reading and then I fell asleep."

"What were you reading?"

"Stalking Jack The Ripper."

I watched her in amusement. "And are you in love with Thomas Cresswell yet?"

"Obviously. But I'm kind of in love with Audrey Rose Wadsworth too," she mumbled, seeming confused. "I'm so glad you're my cousin. You read all the good books," she added, nodding at me.

I laughed, both of us stopping at the sidewalk, letting a few more people get cabs first. "Who else should we take with us? Two more people," I mumbled, glancing at the others.

"One," she corrected. "Just one more person. Someone that isn't Ava." She took my sunglasses off my head, putting them on herself as I rested my elbow on her shoulder.

"Who should we choose to be our victim?" I asked.

"Him," she said, pointing to my left.

I looked over, regretting it immediately. "No, anyone but him."

"No. I like him. You were friends with him, what happened?"

"He became an asshole," I mumbled.

She glanced at him, then back at me, then nodded. "Him."

I scoffed. "Emma, I know you read and I know how your head works. Don't make this a mission, this isn't a friendship you can save—"

"Yeah, him."

"Emma—"

"Adam!"

I huffed, snatching my sunglasses off her and putting them back on my head.

"You want to share a cab with us?" she asked him bluntly.

He pushed off the bench he was leaning against and walked over, stopping beside me. "You sure your cousin's okay with that?" he asked Emma, not even looking at me.

"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Emma replied smartly before skipping ahead, waving over a taxi.

I bit back a curse and started walking to the cab.

"Are you okay with that?" he asked, walking a step behind me.

"I don't care, Adam," I mumbled, pulling the door open and getting inside. When Emma slipped into the passenger seat instead of sitting in the back with me, I regretted saying I didn't care.

Adam walked around, opening the passenger door. "Out," he nodded at Emma.

"Why? You don't want to sit with Em?"

Adam stared at her, amused. "You're very witty for a fifteen-year-old. I thought Ava was the smartass. At least she was the last time we met. I guess you've changed."

"I'm surprised you can tell the difference. Your brother can't."

"Yeah well, I'm not Aspen, sweetheart. Sit in the back."

Emma huffed and got out, sitting beside me as Adam slipped in the front. "

¿A dónde?" the cab driver asked.

"Casco Antiguo de Marbella, por favor," Adam replied.

Now, I can't speak Spanish the way Adam can, but I remember quite a lot from learning it in high school and taking those extra courses online to learn the language.

"¿Qué tan lejos está?" Adam asked. How far is it?

"Veinte minutos," the driver answered. Twenty minutes. Then he started driving.

"Are you really in the NFL?" Emma asked, leaning forward and grabbing onto the passenger seat.

Adam glanced at her over his shoulder. "Uh, yeah. I am."

"What's your jersey number? Did you get to choose it?"

"Yeah, I did." He turned in his seat, glancing at me. "It's twelve."

I turned my eyes to the window, looking out.

"Why twelve?"

Adam faced forward again. "It's a date. It's the birth date of someone important."

I stared at him, feeling my breath hitch in my throat.

"Can you show me a picture? Actually, can you take a picture with me?" Emma asked without hesitation.

"Do you watch the NFL?" Adam chuckled.

"No. But there's this boy in my class who does."

"Oh?" Adam sang in amusement.

"No. No 'oh' actually, he's an asshole. But he plays football, so he like... probably knows you, right?"

"Maybe," Adam nodded.

"So, wouldn't it like totally piss him off that I got to meet you and he didn't? Since he hates me?" I stared at Emma and she looked at me in confusion. "What?"

"You like him," I stated.

"Who?"

"This boy," I teased.

"What? No," she scoffed.

"You like him. You're blushing. You want to make him jealous because it's an excuse to talk to him. Ha! I can see right through you. You like him."

"No, I don't. And if you can see right through me, I can see right through you too, Em. You like somebody and it's very obvious," she smirked, glancing at Adam pointedly.

I rolled my eyes. "You're too far in your own head, Emma," I chuckled, staring back out the window.

Adam and me? Like that- romantically? Never.

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