Neither of us moved once we were inches from each other's lips. It was almost like we were both waiting for the other to make a move. But neither of us dared to. The seconds ticking away felt like years until Troy reached his hand up to my face.

A warm jolt of electricity ran through me when Troy tucked a piece of loose hair behind my ear. I could feel myself turning bright red, and I tried to break eye contact with him. But the second I did, he gently guided me back. The seconds our eyes locked again, I noticed the sparks of love and fear.

Would he, I wondered, staring into his sea-blue eyes that were filled with so much emotion.

I didn't have to wonder long before Troy started leaning closer again. My breath hitched as my pounding heart stopped when Troy was inches from my lips again. This time, he didn't stop.

Just when I thought he would kiss me, a familiar voice shouted at us. "Get your disgusting paws off, my little brother."

Instantly, we dropped our gaze and jumped apart. I could feel my face turning red hot as my heart slammed in my chest again. But this time, it was for a completely different reason. Keeping my gaze on the floor, I avoided their eyes.

"Sonny, relax," Troy reasoned quickly, no doubt not wanting to make a scene. "It was nothing."

Madyson pulled Troy away from me so that he was closer to her. "You were about to kiss her."

Troy rolled his eyes. "I was brushing hair from her eyes. No kissing involved."

My heart ached with sadness as my spirit fell. I knew Troy was probably just trying to calm his sister, but it didn't make me feel better.

Madyson glared at me, not believing Troy's words for a second. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, and I honestly couldn't care any less. But if you know what's good for you'll stay away from my brother and the rest of my family. Is that in any way unclear?"

I shook my head. "No, I…uh…I…"

"She came by to let know our friends need me for something," Troy lied. "She was just about to leave, and I was going to see my friend. Relax, I'll come back in one piece. Promise."

Before Maydson could reply, he took my hand and dragged me away. My stomach fluttered, realizing he was trying to protect me and still help me. It maybe wasn't the best way, but just the thought and the attempt meant a lot. It was really of him to go out of his way like he did.

The elevator arrived, and Troy had to prompt me for the floor. I let go of his hand and pressed the for the correct floor. We rode in an uncomfortable silence for a couple of floors.

I broke the silence after a moment. "Uhhh, thanks…..for what you did back there. It means a lot."

Troy picked his gaze off the ground and gave me one of his heart-stopping smiles. "Course. I actually should be the one thanking you and apologizing."

Tilting my head slightly, I raised a brow. "Why?"

Troy his hand through his messy honey brown hair, and I felt my stomach do summersaults. "I know my family can be a lot to handle for anyone. So, I should be thanking you for putting up with them and apologizing for how they treat you."

"How about this, since you're helping me now, how about we call it even," I suggested, reaching my arm out for him to shake on it.

Troy stared at me like he was studying me. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. As each second passed, I felt more nervous and started chewing on my lip. When the elevator stopped with a ding, I still couldn't tell what Troy was thinking and dropped my arm. A feeling of disappointment hit me hard as we got out and moved on like nothing happened.

After Troy donated his blood, and I knew Britton still had a chance, I went outside for some much-needed fresh air. I found Troy leaning on the railings of the bridge. He seemed to be really deep in thought, and I questioned if I should disturb him.

I turned to walk away but stopped and turned around again. We stood, staring at the view in silence for several minutes.

"Everything OK," I finally asked, breaking the weird and uncomfortable silence between us.

He turned to me. "Sorry," He sighed, turning to face the view again. "I know how it seemed earlier, but the truth is it doesn't feel like we're even. Not after how much your family helped us."

My brows scrunched together. "We didn't do anything."

He scrunched his face, shaking his head in disagreement. "No, your family just did everything."

"What do you mean?"

Troy pulled out his phone and showed me the video of Matthew's report several days ago. "I saw the same reporter at your place three months ago. You're the reason reporters haven't bombarded us."

I gave him back his phone. "I only gave some insight info for him to do his job. It was nothing."

"But you didn't have to," Troy reasoned as he pocketed his phone. "Just the same; your friend didn't have to give that report. Or help cover up Aspen's kidnapping. He could've spun the story any way he liked. But he didn't, and you're the reason why."

I leaned on the railing and let out a huge breath. "That may be, but it had nothing to do with me. Matthew is a journalist, not a gossiper. You don't have to feel like you owe him anything or me."

"But we do owe you and your family," He insisted, handing me a check he pulled out from his back pocket. "Your family did more than they ever had to, and Aspen and Skylar are safe because of that. I know it's not all, but we'll repay you somehow. No matter how long it takes."

I glanced down at the check he gave me. "Why are you giving me this? The Evens gave you the money, not me."

"I know Sharpay and Ryan weren't able to reach their parents in time," Troy stated. "You knew my family would never take the money from you, so you asked Ryan to give us the money on your behalf. Just like how you asked your siblings and friends to help us."

I shut my eyes, groaning slightly. "I only figured that the public and reporters were the last thing your family needed or wanted. All I was trying to do was to reach out and help as your friends. After all, that's what friends are for. I never meant to make you feel like you or your family owed us anything."

"I know, and I'm grateful," Troy replied. "I guess I just feel like you're a much better friend to me than I ever could be to you."

I shook my head. "That's not true. I needed help with Britton, and you were there. Your family needed help, and I did what I could. That's what being friends is about. Being able to count on each other when we need it."

After a moment of silence between us, he spoke. "You didn't have a lot of friends to count on growing up, did you?"

I wasn't sure if he was stating it or actually asking me. I know it didn't affect my answer thought.

"I had enough," I replied, honestly.

It wasn't a definite yes or no, but it still gave Troy the answer he wanted to know.

The look in Troy's eyes became distant. "What was it like growing up for you? You know, without as many friends and being Alejandro Montez's daughter."

Now, I was the one studying him. I narrowed my eyes, trying to figure him out. But I couldn't.

"There are it's good and bad," I told him. "I've met people who only want to be friends because of my Dad. At the same time, I've also had the opposite, and those are the friends I've been able to keep and count on over the years."

"I can't imagine not having Zeke, Jason, and Chad around growing up," Troy commented. "We did everything together. It was like I had three extra brothers growing up."

"Sounds like you never had to wonder if you were friends with them," I commented.

He shook his head in confusion. "Why would I?"

"Because not everyone is as lucky," I admitted. "At least I wasn't."

Troy's brows furrowed together, and I saw the confusion in him. "What do you mean?"

I shrugged. "Growing up, I wasn't always sure who my friends were."

"Why not," He wondered, still confused.

"When you are famous, it's not always so easy to tell if people like your stuff or you."

He bit his lip, and there was more silence between us. "I never about it like that."

"As Mimi always said, everything always comes with a price," I started explaining. "It may not always be actual money we have to give, but nothing is ever free. It's up to you to decide if what you have to give is worth what you'd get, and no one can tell you the right answer to that except yourself."

Troy chewed on his lip as he slowly took in my words. "That's why you knew the last thing my family needs now is the reporters breathing down our necks. That's the price your family gave for your Dad being famous: your family's privacy."

I nodded with a smile. It seemed like he was finally starting to understand. "More like our trade-off for my Dad living his dream is living in the public's eyes, but you got the idea. You guys weren't wrong. All those things you guys were excited about, it does have its worthy points, but it does have its trade-offs. It's just not always so easy to see. Especially when what you're giving up is something that's seem so natural."

I could see the gears turning in Troy's head as he thought. "It's certainly something none of us thought much of until reporters started showing at our door."

"My family knew what we were giving up, but adjusting was still hard," I commented. "I think more than anything, privacy is just one of those things that we take for granted. We have it, expect it even, but we don't realize that it's a privilege or how much we'll miss it until we actually lose it."

"What about you," Troy asked. "Do you miss it?"

I sighed. "I'm not sure that you can miss something you never really had. By the time I came along, the world already knew who my Dad was. So, living in the public's eyes is the norm for me. I think, for me, it's more of getting a break from it. It's sort of like being in a theater show, and you're waiting for an intermission, only it never seems to come. If that makes sense."

Troy nodded with a sympathetic smile. "I get it, and I'm sorry about my reaction. It probably hurt your feelings."

"More like scared me for life," I joked, causing both of us to laugh. When I gathered myself again, I looked at him thoughtfully. "I'm glad we're friends, Troy."

His smile immediately dropped, and something about him changed. "You're very important to me. You're not just my friend Gabby."

My mouth dropped open a little, trying to process what he said. But before I could respond, Sharon approached us.

"Sorry to interrupt, whatever this is," Sharon apologized, looking from one of us to the other. "But Tony just told us that Dynamo is out of surgery. The surgery was a success. She's not out of the woods but stable for now. They're wheeling her back to the PICU now."

A feeling of relief instantly washed over me. It wasn't all good, but Britton was good for now. Whatever else she needed was tomorrow's problem. The surgery had worked, and at this moment, she was OK. That was enough for me.

"OK, I'll come with you guys," I turned to Troy, giving him a hug. "Thank you for saving my daughter."

Turning to leave, I didn't get more than two steps before Troy stopped me with a quick grab of my arm. Sharon stopped where she was, too. My head whipped back around, and we locked eyes. I could see a bunch of emotions sparking in his eyes, but the one that stuck out the most was love. The same kind of love I noticed every time he looked at me since we were in high school.

Could he remember? Or did he still have feelings for me even if he didn't remember me?

He asked. "Would you maybe like to grab some dinner sometime?"

My mouth dropped slightly, not sure what to say. Glancing at Sharon from the corner of my eye, I noticed she was just as stunned. I closed my mouth.

"Yeah, that sounds great. Melody would love to see you again," I agreed. "I'll even cook your favorite spaghetti the next time you come by for dinner."

Troy's expression fell at my answer. I knew the answer I gave him wasn't the one he wanted. I knew what he was asking. But I couldn't bring myself to say yes.

Troy gave me a small smile. "Great, I'll uuhhhh, I'll call you."

I nodded. "Looking forward to it."

We turned to leave again.