As I arrive at the beach I notice that everyone but Dallas is there. With curiosity taking over, I walk over to a lonely looking Ally and sit down beside her on the sand.

"You ok here Als?" I ask her. I feel stupid asking that question but I was hoping she'd get the hint that I'm referring to the current none existence of Dallas.

"Yeah, I just wish that Dallas was here. But apparently he hates beaches so he decided he just wanted to stay at the house. I guess it's not so bad though; I think my dad wants to get to know him better." She pauses for a moment and her facial expression changes slightly. "Kay, maybe it is that bad."

"Why? Would your dad have any reason to hate Dallas?" I ask her. I can't help but feel that Dallas is right for her. He seems cool enough, just not right for Ally.

"No, Dallas is great," she tells me before her gaze shifts to Elliot and Cassidy laughing and hugging and just being all couple-y. I turn back to face Ally who has a sad smile on her face. I can tell she doesn't always get that same treatment from Dallas, but I decide to just leave it for now. Instead I suggest we head back over to the group. Ally walks over to Trish and Roger, most likely to congratulate them on their relationship, while I head over to Dez and Elliot. However before I can, Cassidy jumps up in front of me.

"Hey Austin. Listen Elliot told me that you're best man for the wedding so I wanted to quickly see how you feel about talking to Ally about the wedding since she's my maid of honour," she tells me.

"So you mean like about matching suits and bridesmaid's dresses and all that stuff?" I ask her, just to be sure. One thing about Cassidy is that she can be a real perfection-ate at times, especially for events like this.

"Exactly. Also I was hoping the four of us could spend some time together making some wedding decisions. So what do ya say; is that ok?" she asks hopefully.

"Of course it is. I wouldn't agree to be best man if I had no intention of helping with this wedding," I assure her, before her smile widens and she reaches up for a hug. I hug her back and then we both go over to Dez and Elliot. I'd never admit it but I still find it weird that Cassidy is now dating one of my best friends, considering I had a crush on her and even asked her out. However she had to go to LA, but when she came back I was over her and good thing because Elliot immediately took a liking into her. I can sometimes feel a little jealous of the relationship they have, considering I haven't been with anyone since Brooke. But hopefully I'll find someone soon.

ALLY'S POV

"Hey guys," I say walking over to Trish and Roger.

"Hey Ally. What were you and Austin talking about?" Trish asks me.

"He was just curious about why Dallas wasn't here," I tell her.

"Same old Austin; looking out for everyone," Roger jumps in. I smile up at him knowing he's right. Austin always has been the kind of guy that always puts himself before others, especially in the last few years. "Oh hey, do you want a beer?" he asks me, pointing over to the cooler.

"Yeah I could go for a beer," I answer, about to get myself one, but Roger beats me to it.

"He's so sweet isn't he," Trish sighs, staring at her boyfriend. I can't help but giggle as I haven't so used to her tough side. Roger returns and hands me a beer and we continue chatting for a bit.

After a few beers, Elliot runs into the water and gestures for everyone to follow him.

"C'mon guys the water is great!" he shouts. Everyone strips down to their swimwear and join him, while I stay back, feeling insecure. This is what I was like when we were teens. After Trish, Dez and Austin had helped me learn to love the beach, they tried to convince me that I shouldn't be ashamed of my body, and Trish took me bikini shopping. Eventually I relaxed and felt comfortable around them, but now I'm a fully grown adult and I feel so different, bringing back my insecurities. Trish notices my hesitation and runs towards me.

"Ally come on, you're not being insecure again are you?" she asks me, her hands on her hips.

"Maybe?" I say, making it sound more like a question. She gives me a look as if to say 'don't be silly and just take off that cover up so you can come swim with us'. Responding to her look, I do exactly that and run into the water with her. After causally standing around in the water for some time, I lightly splash Elliot, who immediately retaliates and soon we start a war. At some point I find myself attacking Austin with the water, and he quickly disappears. My laughing calms down, and soon I'm being lifted out of the water by a pair of strong arms. I start giggling again as Austin spins me around.

"Come on guys; we'd better start heading back," Elliot announces and with that Austin releases me from his grip and everyone goes to collect their things before walking back to the house.

"Hey Ally," Austin says as he walks up beside me. Before I even realise it, a smile forms on my face. "Listen, how do you feel about hanging out tomorrow to discuss wedding details for Elliot and Cassidy?"

"Sounds great. But don't forget I'm hanging out with Elliot tomorrow evening so I'll have to be home by the afternoon," I remind him. He nods in understanding and then runs back to Elliot. By this point we're finally back at the house and Dallas tackles me in a hug as soon as I walk through the door.

"Hey Ally, how was the beach?" he asks me.

"It was great. Would have been better if you came though," I tell him, but he just shrugs it off like it doesn't really matter. Looking behind him I suddenly notice my mum walking into the room, holding her book in her hand.

"Hi everyone, listen now that you're back I just want to remind you of my book release party on Friday. I know there's the wedding to focus on but I would appreciate the help just for the next couple of days organising this party," my mum announces.

"Well mum we'd love to help, considering some of us thought we were just coming over forthe bookrelease party this summer," I say, my voice getting louder towards the end, putting emphasis on my words as I slowly turn towards Elliot who leans his head on Cassidy's shoulder and looks down at the ground still feeling slightly guilty.

"I said I was sorry," Elliot mumbles before lifting his head back up. I just smile at him, indicating that he is forgiven now, and he soon smiles back. "And same as Ally I'm happy to help out also mum." Everyone follows that by letting my mum know that they'll help out also and mum just smiles

"Great. Thank you everyone. Well I'll let you get your rest and I'll see you in the morning," she says before leaving the room. Everyone does the same, and Dallas and I make our way up to our room. After finding a nightgown to wear I chuck them on the bed and remove my shirt, gaining a smirk from Dallas.

"How is it that you look more and more beautiful every day?" he says as he walks in front of me and wraps his arms around my waist pulling me closer to him. This suddenly brings me back to the beach when Austin held me in the water. He felt so muscular and warm and... Realising who I'm with right now, I decide to push all thoughts of Austin aside since he's just a friend and place my lips gently against Dallas'. He responds instantly and pulls me even closer towards his body. After a while the kiss becomes more heated and as we eventually break away for air, I grab hold of his shirt and lift it over his head. Dallas is rather fit, but not quite as fit as Austin... what am I saying?!

Dallas starts kissing my neck however we're soon interrupted by a gentle knock on the door.

"Hey honey, just wanted to say goodnight," I hear my dad say through the door.

"Night dad," I respond. Slowly I release myself from Dallas' grip and sling my nightgown over my head. Dallas changes into some sweats before turning off the light and climbing into bed. I follow, snuggling up into his chest. He quickly pecks my forehead and drifts off to sleep. Somehow I struggle to sleep as I go through in my mind exactly were Dallas and I are in our relationship. He's a great guy but sometimes I feel as if there is no real future for us; like we aren't really progressing as a couple. I soon realise that what I really want is to be in love.

AUSTIN'S POV

Elliot said I could take the couch tonight at his parents' house but my apartment is just round the corner, and besides I told Dez he could stay round mine for the summer anyways, since I have a guest room for him to stay in. Once we both get back to the apartment, we head straight to our rooms and I simply fall onto my bed, too tired to change into sweats. As I look up at the ceiling I think about my plans for tomorrow.

Yes I get to spend the day tomorrow with Ally. I've missed her so much since she left for New York, and seeing her again brings back old childhood memories. I realise that we may end up talking about Penny's book release party more than the wedding now but as long as I get to catch up with Ally at some point during the day I don't mind. When Ally agreed to hang out tomorrow, I ran back to Elliot to let him know that I was hoping to find out more about her relationship with Dallas, since I'm concerned about the fact he didn't go down to the beach with the rest us. I know most people may think Elliot and I are being overprotective, but I just see it as looking out for my best friend.