Even though I was in a tranquil state of bliss, my heart was heavy.

With a sigh, I climbed my apartment steps, wishing that the day with Elijah and I had ended differently. Despite him trying to hide that his dad being there had bothered him. Even if the conversation had only lasted all of five seconds.

The expression on Elijah's face had been heartbreaking, a mix of emotions that I knew were there but were hidden by impassivity. But I had felt it in the grip he had on my hand and the loss of his smile.

Surprisingly, his dad had left after the tense exchange of greetings. But even though everyone had tried to remain as if nothing was off, I knew that it was.

I would never know what it would be like to need my dad and for him to not be there, but I could practically feel the pain that lingered in Elijah's eyes.

I had a feeling that I hadn't been the only one to see it. Because for a brief moment right before Mr. Scott had left his eyes had changed from cautious to a different expression.

Had it been regret?

"So how did it go?"

I shut the apartment door behind me, leaning on it, as Skylar watched me with a growing grin. She tilted her head, her eyebrows raising as she sent me a knowing look. I recognized the question in her eyes without her even saying anything, and I sent her an answering smile.

"It's about damn time," Skylar groaned happily. She jumped up, shimming in the middle of the living room, as she did a funky dance. She almost tripped on the edge of the stripped teal and white carpet we had placed under the coffee table, and I giggled.

I continued to lean against the door, like a total buffoon, as she all but jumped up and down. While my mood was slightly dampened by what had transpired at the diner, I was still in an odd state of disbelief and happiness.

"Rowan, I wish you could see yourself right now. You are practically glowing. I knew that you guys would stop being stubborn and get together soon."

I laughed. " I guess you were right."

She shot me a knowing look. "Babe, I am always right. It just always takes you a while to realize it." She tilted her head to the side, hands on her hips as she looked at me.

"Yea. Maybe I should listen to you more often," I said.

"You think?" Skylar deadpanned, and I laughed.

"So tell me how was the kiss? And trust me, I know it was great because your eyes have that glossed overlook as if you have been struck by cupid." She sat on the couch, and I walked over and sitting beside her. " I love Hayden, but I know that Elijah has to be skilled when it comes to the art of using those lips of his."

"Yeah," I chuckled. "He is. I-"

I whipped my head over to her, realizing what had just slipped from her mouth. The shock was evident on my face, but a smile formed, replacing my astonished expression.

"You love Hayden?"

Skylar's eyes widened and surprise grew within me again, as red pinched her cheeks, as I watched her blush for the first time in like ever. "Oops," she said with a small shrug, but a slight smile formed on her lips. "Yeah," she breathed.

"Have you told him?" I gushed, my cheeks hurting from how hard I was smiling. I couldn't and could believe it at the same time.

"No." she shook her head, a faraway look in her eyes. "I only really let myself realize it recently. He has helped me through a lot and I have never felt for anyone the way I do about him."

I didn't think it was possible, but my grin grew wider. "Skylar, that is great." If it weren't for the fact that I would probably face plant if I did, I would have gotten up and did my take on a happy dance.

"I know," she said, her face lighting up. "I just hope he feels the same way. I have been waiting to say it, unsure that he will reciprocate the feeling."

"Skylar Mac, if I know my best friends, and I do, I know that he feels the same way. He looks at you as if you are the reason the sky and the moon were put in the sky."

"You think?" She asked, her voice small as she looked at me, her eyes shining with an expression I understood all too well.

"I know so Sky. If you want to wait to tell him, then I get that. But you shouldn't doubt that he feels the same way. You guys are meant for each other."

She titled her head from side to side, a girly squeal came from her tiny frame as she flung her body back on the couch, landing amongst the pillows that lined the back of it in an ecstatic heap. Her blonde hair framed her fair, thick strands haloing her face.

The sunlight from the window spotlighted her face perfectly at the angle she was in. If I were to look up the word love-struck in the dictionary, I would pretty sure I would find her face underneath it.

"This is crazy, isn't it?"

"What is?"

"You and me." She sighed. "Who knew that we would both be in relationships this time of year."

I smiled. "I wouldn't have guessed either. But I know that for once, I feel the happiest I have in a long time." I had never spoken truer words and saying them made me feel as if I was floating.

Skylar's lips tilted upward.

"You have looked super happy lately Rowan. I know things haven't always been easy for you, but you do deserve this. I have seen the way he looks at you. That guy cherished you in a way that most people wouldn't understand due to the small time you have known each other." She smiled at me. "But still, I can see the way he does nonetheless."

"I care about him too," I said. "Like a lot."

"Oh, honey, I know. I am kind of surprised that you finally let yourself admit it." I shot her a look, sticking my tongue out before I laughed slightly.

Skylar shot up abruptly, jerking me from my thoughts. "So, I have been thinking."

"That's dangerous."

She glared at me, and I laughed.

"Anyway, I was thinking that we should have a girl's day. It feels like we haven't hung out, just the two of us, in forever."

I knew what she meant. I had been spending a lot more time with Elijah, the same way that she had been spending more time with Hayden. Although we lived together, our differing school schedules also got in the way of any downtime, before the break. Since she was a law major, her schedule was just as tedious as mine.

"I am down," I was looking forward to just kicking back and relaxing with her. I loved it when Hayden hung out with us too, but now that they were dating it was different when we all hung out. Not that I really minded, I was glad that they were happy and had each other.

"Great," she squealed standing up. I watched as she grabbed her purse and slipped her feet into some strappy brown sandals. She looked at me. "What are you waiting for, Rowan? Let's go."

I stood up, eying her amusedly. "What is it exactly that we are about to do."

She dangled her purse in front of me, an exasperated expression on her face. "What does it look like babe. we are going shopping."

"Ah," I said, tugging on my Nike tennis shoes. "I should have known."

If we were going shopping, I knew that I would need to wear comfortable shoes. When Skylar went shopping, it could last for hours. I guess just staying home and relaxing was a dying wish. I knew better than to argue with her. When Skylar wanted to go shopping, it was hard to convince her not to. I honestly didn't understand her love for trying on clothes that probably wouldn't be bought but to each their own.

She grinned. "Yes, you should have," she said with a light laugh. "Now come on, I don't want to miss any sales."

"I am sure the sales will not run away Sky." She waved me off with a huff.

"You know what I meant. Now let's get going!"

With that she opened the door, walking through it, I smiled following her. Usually, I wasn't that excited to go shopping, but today I didn't mind. Nothing could dampen my mood, and I was pretty sure it was because of a certain hazel-eyed guy.