Riley's got big plans today. He's going to ask her to marry him. He knows that's kind of jumping the gun but it just feels right. He bought the ring before they left Nashville with the plan to propose that night they moved in but Kate was bent out of shape and in a bad mood so it didn't feel right.

But today, today is the day.

Kate's out right now, picking up some things for a cookout with a bunch of Riley's friends as a welcome home party.

His friends are coming over early to help set the party up. They know what he's planning and they're excited for him.

About an hour later, Katie's pulling up to the house with groceries that she carries in in one trip.

She sighs heavily as she reaches over and turns the radio on, needing something to fill her mind as she gets the food ready for the grill.

She's in the middle of seasoning the burgers when her phone starts going off. She quickly cleans her hand then answers it. "T, what's up?"

"I miss you, girly." She responds. "Nashville ain't the same without you."

Kate glances over her shoulder then lowers her voice. "I know, I wish I was still there." She admits. She really didn't want to leave Nashville but she thought it'd be easy to just restart.

Man, was she wrong.

Granted it's only been a day but it sucks. She feels like a stranger- well, she is a stranger but she just feels out of place.

She felt like this in Georgia too but she had Taylor with her so it was easier. She figured it would be the same deal with Riley but it isn't.

She could've tried to get a job at any other record label in Nashville. Hell, she could've thrown a dart at a dartboard and blindly chose one but no, she left for Alabama to be what? A fucking waitress.

"Morgan told me what happened. The whole job thing."

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you tell me? We could've figured somethin' out, Kay."

"This just seemed easier."

Taylor sighs. "You don't belong there, babe."

"I know."

"Then why-"

"T, I gotta go. I got shit to do for a stupid cookout we're havin'. Talk to you later."

"I love you, Kate."

"I love you too, Taylor." She sighs back then hangs up.

Tears form in her throat as she continues to season the meat. She's only been here for less than twenty four hours but she wants to go home.

Home.

Huh.

She thought she could trick herself into thinking home is Riley but home is Nashville.

Wow.

She's pulled from her thoughts by hands on her hips.

Riley kisses that spot behind her ear and she melts against him, her eyes fluttering closed. "What're you doin'?" She says with a small laugh.

"You been in here a long time, Katie." He mumbles against her neck. "What's takin' so long?"

"Taylor called. Kinda got distracted."

"Well, everyone's wantin' to meet you."

"I'm just buildin' suspense."

He laughs, his chin on her shoulder. "I'm glad you're here."

She smiles. "Really?"

"Yeah."

"I kinda feel like I don't belong here." She admits, washing her hands.

"It's not even been a day. You gotta give it time, baby."

"I know, I know." She dries her hands off then looks up at him. "I got Busch Light out in the cooler for you."

He laughs again. "Man, am I a lucky man or what?" He takes her hand. "C'mon, let's go meet everyone."

+++

There's a bonfire going, tiki torches burning, alcohol flowing and fireflies glowing. Everyone is sitting around the fire in lawn chairs, laughing.

Katie still feels like she doesn't fit in.

Riley stands then leans down and kisses her, his hand in the pocket of his shorts. He clears his throat and everyone goes quiet. "Thanks for comin' tonight, everyone. It's nice to be back home and with my girl. Katie, you are the best girl I've ever met."

She swallows hard.

"You're like no one else I've ever met and I'm incredibly thankful for you." He looks at his friends then down at Katie who's kind of struggling to look up at him.

He lowers himself to his knee, his joints cracking loudly as he does so. He takes Kate's hand and she bites her lip.

"Katie Hurst, will you marry me?"

A hush falls over their guests. She glances around, her heart beating so hard she feels it in her temples. She doesn't want to embarrass him in front of them by saying no. She doesn't want to break his heart by saying no.

"Yes."

+++

Michael bursts into Morgan's living room, his phone in his hand. "Dude, look." He shoves his cell at him.

Morgan feels his heart break. "They're engaged." He whispers. "Look at her face. She don't look happy at all."

"That's what I said." He shakes his head. "Why didn't you go get her?"

"I don't know where the fuck she is!" He suddenly snaps. "Jacksonville- Where the fuck at in Jacksonville!?" His hands clench into fists. "She's gotta be home with me."

"Riley's been working on a new album and he spends weekends here. I'll see if she's comin' with him."

Morgan nods, tears evident in his eyes. He can't believe she said yes to him. This girl is slipping through his fingers. He can't let her go again.

"I asked if she wanted to get a drink this weekend and she said yes so you're welcome."

Morgan rolls his teary eyes. "Thanks man." Michael gives him a hug, he has no idea what Morgan feels right now so all be can do is be there for him. "Fuck."

"I know." Michael sighs. "We gotta get goin'. You have that song to record."

"No, I pushed it back to Friday." He lets out a heavy breath. "Worked better for Del." Michael nods. "I can't believe she left again. I can't believe she didn't say goodbye to me. I- I can't believe she's fuckin engaged."

"Hey, she'll be home in a couple days, okay? When she's here, get all that shit out in the open." Morgan takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly as he nods. "So, I say just gather your thoughts then talk to her."

"Okay." He drops himself on the couch and drops his head in his hands.

"Things'll work 'emselves out. They always do."

+++

Kate bites her lip as she sits at a table in the back corner of a pub. She glances around anxiously, twisting her engagement ring around her finger. She sighs, looking over the drink menu.

Riley booked a hotel room just down the street so she can drink as much as she wants.

And she probably will.

She's pretty unhappy living in Jacksonville.

She orders a shot of whiskey to start, her stomach already twisting from nerves. "Kate!" She looks up from her fingers and smiles in relief at the guy talking to her.

"Michael." She hugs him. She had no idea what presence he had until she left. Leaving somehow made them closer. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." He sits next to her. "Look at you flashin' that bling around."

She laughs weakly, looking down at the diamond ring as she rubs her thumb against the backside of the band. She doesn't say anything and that alone is enough to tell Michael that she needs to be back home with them.

"What've you been up to? How's Alabama?"

"It's... fine."

He chews the inside of his cheek. "How's Riley?"

"How's music goin? Y'all still chugglin' 'long?"

Michael sighs internally. "It's goin' real good. Morgan's been pretty busy with recordin' songs and I've been busy helpin' write them. He's recordin' one later today if you wanna swing by?"

Her heart jumps at the mention of him. She can't help the smile that forms on her lips. "I'd like that."

"Cool. We're actually gonna get drinks after too."

"Drinks now and then? Hell yeah."

He chuckles as he looks over the menu. "Maybe save the drinkin' for tonight? It'll be fun."

"Fine." She smiles. "Whatcha gettin'?"

+++

Kate grips the strap of her purse tightly. Michael keeps an arm around her shoulders, hoping that helps keep her nerves at bay. Her heart is beating so hard that she's pretty sure he can hear it.

"You okay?" He whispers, his hand on the door handle. She nods and he opens the door, shushing her when he hears Morgan singing behind the glass.

"Yeah, if anybody out there somewhere

Got a secret they wanna sharе

On why it does to her what it does to dust

Really just ain't fair

And why it always takes her with it

And only brings her back now and then

I guess I've always been

Wonderin' 'bout the wind..."

The way he's singing tugs at her heart strings. She can hear the sadness and pain in his voice and it makes tears form in her eyes. She pulls her sweatshirt sleeves over her hands as she watches him. She missed him.

"How's that?"

"Real good, man." Del, the producer, says from her chair. "Feel better?"

"Kinda." He hangs up the headphones then steps out of the booth, his face dropping when he sees Kate standing behind Michael. "Hey."

"Hi." Her voice is soft, barely above a whisper. She's afraid that if she raises her voice that it'll crack and she'll start crying.

Morgan's speechless, everything he wants to say to her flies out of his head.

"Y'all can take a break." Del says, the tension making her extremely uncomfortable. Michael nudges Kate out to the hallway. None of them know what to say.

"Can you give us a second?" Morgan says to Michael. He nods and steps back into the studio, definitely not pressing his ear against the door to try to eavesdrop on them.

He looks Kate over and his stomach twists. There's so much he wants to say to her but he doesn't want to let it out in a public place. The conversation he wants to have is a private matter.

"What's up?" She asks, fidgeting with her necklace.

"We need to talk before you leave again." He states, taking her hand from her chain. He brushes his thumb across the back of her hand and her breath hitches. "Please."

"Absolutely." She whispers back, watching his hand around hers.

He pulls back but she doesn't let his hand go.

It's taking everything in her to not jump him.

Morgan starts to walk away but she grabs his arm, pulling him back. She pushes him slightly and he stumbles against the wall.

Kate kisses him and he kisses her back.