As I hopped down, Jake took my hand, intertwining our fingers, gently swinging our arms as he lead us back inside. There were already more people in here than I recognized. I underestimated just how big their family really was. I felt my heart start to beat faster the more I looked around. He could tell. He squeezed my hand tighter, leaning down close.

"You okay?" He whispered into my ear. I bit down on my lip, nodding.

"Yeah, um.. I just.. I'll be right back, okay? I just need to go get something." His face dropped.

"What is it? Do you.. want me to come with you?" He asked. I shook my head, giving him a quick kiss before making my way down to the end of the hall, knocking on the last door. It didn't take long for Sam to answer.

"Hey.." I said. My cheeks burned as I instantly looked down to see him standing there, still just in a towel, tightly wrapped around his waist. He stared back at me, his eyes moving down to my dress.

"Wow.." He whispered, his smile growing. "You look.. beautiful." My heart jumped.

"O-oh.. thank you." I said, biting down on my lip, containing my smile. He nodded, smirking back at me. My mind went blank as he stared back at me, propping his arm up, leaning against the doorway.

"So.. what's going on?" He asked. My cheeks burned red as I quickly snapped out of it.

"Oh, um.. I.. I.. uh- right.. I was wondering if.. you had my ring." I finally managed. He nodded, his face dropping as he turned back into his room. I waited a moment before following him in.

I had never been in his room before.

I made my way over to his bed, sitting down on the edge, looking around. It was dark and cozy; he kept his lamp dim and candles lit over on his desk. There was a woodsy smell lingering in the air with the faintest hint of vanilla, relaxing and sweet. And his shelves were filled with the biggest record collection I had ever seen. It was relatively clean, but clearly lived in. It was so comfortable, I could just curl up and fall asleep right now.

I didn't want to leave.

I watched him make his way over to his book shelf. My heart started beating faster as my eyes stayed glued on his bare back until he turned around. I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks burn bright red.

"Here you go." He sighed, sitting down close across from me, his leg brushing up against mine. I kept my eyes down, hoping he wouldn't notice how badly I was blushing.

"Thank you." I said, taking it and slipping it back on my finger. He nodded.

"I.. I'm sorry I didn't give it back to you right away, I just.. I was just trying to look out for you." He said softly, peeking back up at me. I held my stare on him, doing my best to concentrate but I was too distracted by the wet strands of hair that he left hanging in front of his face.

"And then it just.. never felt like the right time to give it back. I didn't mean anything by it, I promise. I'm sorry if I caused any problems."

"It's okay." I said softly. He got back up, going into his closet where he started getting dressed. Part of me felt like that was my cue to go, but I just couldn't bring myself to leave.

"So.. what are you wearing tonight?" I asked, getting up to look around.

"Well, I had something in mind but after seeing you.. I think I need to find something a little nicer." He laughed.

"Oh, you look great in anything." I said softly, going over to his records, flipping through them one by one.

"You really think so?" He asked, peeking out from his closet, flashing me a smile. My cheeks burned. I nodded, turning back away.

"You have so many records." I said, quickly changing the subject. I heard him giggle behind me.

"Well.. everything sounds better on vinyl." He said simply. I peeked over at him as he finally walked back out, now wearing dark red pants, his chest still bare.

"Shirt or no shirt?" He asked, holding out a red jacket in one hand and a silver button-up in the other.

"Shirt." I quickly said, feeling my cheeks burn as I did my best to keep my eyes from wandering down to his chest. He smirked at me, hanging up his jacket and slid his arms through the sleeves of his shirt, leaving it unbuttoned. He turned around, looking at himself in the mirror, giving himself subtle smile.

"Good choice." He said, peeking over at me through the reflection. I bit down on my lip, nodding.

"And we match." He said, flashing me a smile, turning around to face me again. "That's cute."

"Y-yeah.." I said, feeling my heart start to beat faster. "I.. um.. I should head back. Jake's probably looking for me." He nodded, backing away.

"Oh, yeah, right, sure.. I'll.. I'll see you in there I guess." He giggled to himself. I nodded, giving him a small smile.

"Yeah.." I sighed.

I made my way down the hallway, trying to find Jake in the new crowds of people that had showed up in just the time I had been in Sam's room. Soon enough, I felt a hand slip into mine. I jumped to see Jake now behind me, drink in hand, flashing me a wide smile.

"There you are!" He said cheerfully, leaning in, kissing me on the cheek. A smile escaped my lips. I could tell he was already starting to feel it. I would have to catch up quickly if I was finally going to calm down. He looked down at my hand as I felt his fingers trace over mine. His eyes got wide when he saw my ring.

"You're wearing your ring again." He said, his smile growing. I bit down on my lip, nodding.

"Of course.. now what are you drinking?" I laughed, pulling him closer. He smirked at me, handing me his glass.

"Here, you can have this. I'll make myself a new one." I squeezed his hand tighter as he pulled me up against him, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, guiding me into the kitchen.

"Who are all these people?" I asked, whispering into his ear. He brought us over to the counter, pouring himself another drink.

"Family, friends, friends of family, friends of friends.." He said, trailing off. "Pretty much anyone who wants to come. The more the merrier." He laughed, turning around to face me. He took a big sip, keeping his eyes locked on me. My cheeks burned the longer he stared.

"Come on.." He sighed, reaching out, wrapping his arm around me again. I moved my hand up, intertwining our fingers as he guided me through the kitchen into the back room where I saw Ronnie and Josh surrounded by even more of their family.

"Oh my gosh!" Ronnie called out. "You guys look amazing!"

"You look amazing." I said. She flashed me a smile as she turned around, showing off her bright red dress.

"Oh, this old thing." She laughed, her cheeks burning. "Ugh and you guys match. You're so gross." Jake rolled his eyes, giggling to himself, taking another sip of his drink. I then saw Ronnie's eyes get wide as they shot up to our hands.

"Oh my god!" She yelled, a little too loud. I guess everyone had already gotten a head start on drinking. "Are you.. are you two engaged??" My heart dropped as I saw everyone in the room quickly turn around to look. Josh turned, his eyes getting wide as he stared us down. Ronnie grabbed my hand, pulling it closer to get a better look.

"Oh my god and you didn't even TELL ME!" She yelled, looking up at Jake. "I can't believe this! Ah!" She reached over, grabbing me tightly, pulling me into a tight hug. I heard Jake giggle from behind me, taking another sip of his drink.

"No, no, we're not engaged." He said, shaking his head. He peeked over at me, giving me a subtle smile. "Not yet." I stared back up at him, feeling my heart beat faster. Not yet? Was he planning something? He held his stare on me, raising his eyebrows as his eyes got wide.

Was he planning something.. for tonight?

"Oh, yeah, right, sure.. I'll.. I'll see you in there I guess." I giggled to myself, feeling my heart racing. She nodded, giving me a small smile.

"Yeah.." She sighed, hesitating, holding her stare on me before finally making her way back out into the hallway.

I waited until I couldn't hear her anymore before I plopped back down on my bed, running my hands through my hair. Deep down, I had hoped that maybe.. after everything we had gone through together, maybe she wouldn't want to wear that ring again. But now I was just expected to enjoy my night while being forced to see them hanging all over each other? The thought of it made me sick. I didn't even want to go out there anymore.

I sighed, rolling over, pushing myself out of bed and went back over to the mirror. She did say I looked good. I felt my cheeks start to burn, but quickly shook the thought. I was being stupid and I needed a drink.

I styled my hair back into place and forced myself out into the hallway, quickly making my way into the kitchen. Thankfully I ran into Danny as I heavy-handedly poured myself a drink, taking a big sip.

"There you are." He called out, making his way over. He leaned up against the counter, crossing his arms. "Why didn't you tell me we were dressing up?" He laughed. I smirked up at him, shaking my head. He nodded, looking back out.

"Ah.. because it's for her." He said softly. I bit down on my lip, feeling my cheeks burn.

"It is not for her.." I groaned. He smirked, rolling his eyes.

"You wouldn't care what you were wearing if she wasn't here, and you know it." I shrugged, taking another sip.

"Where is everyone?" I asked. He motioned towards the back room, leading me over. As we maneuvered our way through the crowds of people, I could hear Ronnie yelling from here.

"Oh my god! Are you.. are you two engaged??"

My heart dropped. Danny quickly stopped, staring back at me, wide-eyed. It felt like I was frozen into place. There was no way. She was just with me. She asked for her other ring. He wouldn't have asked her without telling any of us, would he? My heart was pounding, my head spinning.

"What do you want to do?" Danny asked quietly, staring back at me, concerned. I shrugged, doing my best not to react, but it was almost impossible. I shook my head, motioning towards the back room. He hesitated, but eventually nodded, making his way back. I felt my chest get tight when I saw Jake with his arm tightly wrapped out Jess, Ronnie closely examining her finger.

"No, no, we're not engaged." Jake said. "Not yet."

My heart jumped. So there was still time.

I then saw Ronnie's face drop as her eyes moved over to me, but she quickly saved it with a smile, waving us over. It felt like there was a pit in my stomach. The last thing I wanted to do was be around the both of them together. It was already going to be impossible to get the thought of them together in the shower out of my head. My eyes lingered on them as Danny and I made our way over. I took a big sip before Jess turned to face us, flashing me a big smile. I couldn't help but smile back, feeling my cheeks burn red.

How did this happen?

It didn't matter how I was feeling. The second she laid eyes on me, I became a puddle; a stupid smiling mess, willing to do and be whatever she wanted. Taking another big sip, I stepped over to make room for Danny, but was really just looking for an excuse to be that much closer to her. My eyes moved down to her dress, which made it that much more impossible to ignore her. She was literally glowing. It wasn't long before I heard Ronnie calling out for me.

"Sam.. come outside with me." She said, taking my hand and guiding me out into the back yard. I followed close as she brought us over to the fire pit, sitting down on one of the chairs, pulling another one close to her. I sat down, rubbing my hands together.

"What is it?" I asked, keeping my eyes locked on the fire. I heard her sigh.

"You need to get it together." She said softly. I felt my cheeks burn as I peeked over at her.

"What are you talking about? I'm fine." She shot me a look, shaking her head.

"If only you could've seen the look you were just giving her in there.. you are lucky Jake is oblivious." I felt my heart beating faster. Was I really that obvious? And if I was.. how come Jess was the only one who couldn't tell? A small smile escaped my lips.

"Was it really that obvious?" I asked. She nodded, giggling to herself.

"I don't even think I've seen Jake look at her like that." She laughed. "Not in front of us at least." I sighed, covering my face, running my hands through my hair again.

"Ronnie, if I tell you something.. can you please.. promise not to tell anyone." I finally said, peeking over at her. She stared back at me, wide-eyed.

"Of course." She said. I looked away, staring back down at the fire.

"Jess kissed me." I said softly, avoiding her eyes.

"What!" She whispered, scooting her chair closer. I bit down on my lip, containing my smile.

"She kissed me. It was.. after we got into the accident. I had finally woken up and.. she kissed me. And.. it wasn't just any kiss. It felt.. it felt so real." I sighed, peeking back over at her. She bit down on her lip, staring back at me, wide-eyed. I felt my heart pounding in my chest.

"And then.. I just.. I couldn't believe it. Like that was it, she had kissed me. But.. I didn't know what was going to happen. To me, to her. I.. I honestly didn't know if I was going to make it out of there. And.. I didn't want that to be it. I just.. I needed to do it.. one more time, so.. I kissed her again. And it just felt so right. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It's all I can think about, every time I see her, all I want to do is just kiss her like that. Over and over again."

She held her stare on me, staying quiet. I looked back down, avoiding her eyes.

"Please say something." I whispered.

"Does Jake know?" She asked quietly. I shook my head.

"No. The next day, she told me that.. she was sorry that she did it. That.. she didn't know what came over her and how she was.. overwhelmed and terrified but then so relieved. But she doesn't want to ruin our friendship. But.. that's just.. that's not how you kiss your.. friend. And then she asked if it could just stay between us, because.. she didn't want to hurt Jake's feelings."

I took a big sip, tilting back my glass to finish my drink, keeping my eyes down on the fire. I could feel Ronnie staring me down. Her silence was killing me.

"And then she said that.. we probably both did things that we didn't mean-"

"And.. what did you say to that?" She asked eagerly, moving closer. I bit down on my lip.

"Well, I.. I said yeah because she-" Ronnie sighed, leaning back in her chair.

"What?" I asked, feeling my cheeks burn.

"Sam, that's what girls do when they're trying to see how you feel.. she.. she was giving you a chance.. to tell her." My stomach dropped.

"W-what do you mean?" I asked, now leaning forward to face her, my heart beating faster.

"I mean.. she obviously didn't want to say anything.. and risk ruining anything between you two.. if she didn't know how you felt about it."

I stared back at her wide-eyed. So.. she did mean it?

"Think about it like this.. why haven't you told her how you feel?" She asked. I shrugged, looking back down. Because I would feel like an idiot if she turned me away, and I'd have to deal with seeing er every day, and there's no way we could ever go back to how we were after that.

"Now, I don't know how she feels.. but don't you think.. she'd be just as hesitant as you?" I nodded, getting up from my chair.

"Sam.." She said, looking back up at me, wide-eyed. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing, I.. I just need another drink."