I tried calling my friends for the hundredth time in a week, but it went to voicemail as usual. I've barely talked to them since C.J.'s accident at Golden Gate Park. I knew that Chad and Taylor would be focused on C.J., but I just couldn't figure out why everyone else wasn't talking to me. Did I do something else I wasn't aware of?

This summer was so not starting well. Not only was I losing my basketball skills, but now I was losing my friends too. Wasn't there some kind of limit to rock bottom?

"The last time I saw a face that long, you locked yourself in your room for weeks," Gram Gram said, sitting beside me.

I sighed, hanging up the phone, "a life of locked solitary can't be any worse than the life I'm leading now."

Gram Gram frowned at me, "that doesn't sound good. What happened, Sport?"

I shrugged, "I'll let you know when I figure out what I did to offend my remaining friends."

"I'm sure it's not that bad," Gram Gram handed me one of her homemade cookies, "they're probably just busy."

I narrowed my eyes at my Gram Gram. Gram Gram has always been more of an optimistic person. Nothing ever seems to bring her down.

"Gram Gram, I really doubt that all eight of my remaining friends are so busy at the same time that none of them could spare like five minutes," I reasoned.

Gram Gram scrunched her nose, "and what, you doing something to offend your friend is more like?"

I shrugged, frowning, "I've been known to screw up before."

Gram Gram shook her head at me. "Only you will think so little of yourself, Sport."

I didn't get a chance to respond before my phone went off with a text from Jason.

Jason: Cake tasting w/Kelsie Come along

A smile slowly spread across my face. Gram Gram peeked over at the text and gave me a told you so look.

"Looks to me like Jason isn't offended by you," Gram Gram pointed out as she stood, "why not see if Sky and Aspen can go with you? I bet they would get a kick out of it."

I smiled, shaking my head. "How do you always know what is right, Gram Gram?" I asked, genuinely impressed by my Gram Gram's special powers, "even mom and dad aren't that good. It's like you have some sort of freaky powers."

Gram Gram had a smirk smile on her face, "it's called Grandparents vision. It comes with my age and experience."

Gram Gram left me to return Jason's text. I went back in to check on her after calling Braydon and Sharon. Tripping over a box in the hall, I noticed the extent of the mess in the living room.

I moved the box in front of me from the hallway, "Gram Gram, Spring has come and gone. Even dad's on summer break, and so is Aspen. Isn't it time to stop the Spring cleaning?"

Gram Gram turned and gave me her full attention, "now, if that's the attitude you're going with, I can assure you nothing will ever get done. You have to start what you finish, even if it takes longer than you thought."

I looked around the place. The place wasn't all that cleaned out. There were plenty of boxes somewhat filled lying around, but a lot more were empty or flattened in the corner waiting to be shaped. If Gram Gram and Granddad were really planning on cleaning the whole house, they'd be lucky to finish by the end of summer.

"OK, Gram Gram, how about an offer you can't refuse," I ask.

Gram Gram placed a hand on her hip and raised her brow at me, "what offer?"

"Your own special clean-up crew," I exclaimed with a bright smile like I was a show announcer.

She looked more confused than ever, "what special clean-up crew?"

"Gram Gram Bolton, you just won yourself a free trip to the spa resort with your loving husband while The Bolton Family Clean-up crew finishes your spring clean for you," I exclaimed like a show announcer.

Gram Gram looked at me like I had completely lost it. She blinked at me until she found her voice, "Sport, you're volunteering your siblings and your parents to clean this mess. Your mom, brother, and sister don't have summers off, and one of your crew members is a seven your old who would most likely prefer to spend time with her friends. Plus, don't you have to help her best friend with his wedding plans? I think you better check with your cleaning crew first."

"It's one day out of our entire summer Gram Gram. We can make it work; you just need to say when," I confidently replied.

Gram Gram shook her head, "I love the confidence, but I repeat, check with your crew. I'll check with your Granddad, and we'll see."

I sighed, "fine, as long as you know you have an entire crew at your disposal if you need it. I have to meet Jason. I'll see you later."

Gram Gram pulled me into a hug, "I'll keep it in mind, and you keep your chin up."

Cupid barked, reminding us of his presents, "Alright, boy, let's go."

I swung by Braydon's place to pick up Skylar and him before meeting Sharon and Jason at the hospital. We visited C.J. in the Pediatric Ward while we were there. Zeke was there too, but something seemed to be really bothering him. Sharon and I raced after him to make sure he was OK as he was leaving.

Braydon met us outside with Aspen and Skylar just as Zeke was leaving. Aspen was showing the entire hospital her excitement when Sharon stopped her giving her a quarter for the toy machine out front. Skylar and Aspen promised to share before racing off like they were best friends.

But that only lasted until they had the new toy at hand. Sharon reminded Aspen of their promise prompting her to let Skylar play with the bouncy ball too. Aspen started her own game of hopscotch on the sidewalk while Skylar had the bouncy ball.

After a couple of minutes, Aspen hopped to a stop in front of me, "can we go have cake for lunch now?"

I chuckled a little, "we have to wait for Jason and Kelsie, remember? It's their cake; we are helping them choose. Plus, we are eating lunch first."

Aspen blew out a raspberry to show her annoyance. "Fine, but how much longer do we have to wait?"

"Not too long," I promised, "we'll be heading out soon. In fact, we could start heading to the car."

"Yes!" Aspen pumped her fist in the air before racing off, "let's go, Cupid. We are going to have some cake."

We were right on her heels, but Sharon stopped us. She handed Skylar over to Braydon when her phone went off. "Sorry, I have to take care of something."

Aspen yanked her arm and scrunched her face disapprovingly, "you said you'd have cake with us."

Sharon lowered herself so that she and Aspen were at the same level. "Aspen, I know I said I'll come to the cake tasting, but I have something very important I need to take care of. I promise I'll still come with you guys; I just need like five minutes."

Aspen scrunched her brows together when she puckered her lips even more. It didn't seem like she was going to give in. She finally stopped glaring at Sharon, and her expression softened.

"Promise," She asked.

Sharon held out her hand, "I'll even seal it with the promise shake."

That caught Aspen's attention, "what's the promise shake?"

"You've never heard of the promise shake," Sharon continued when Aspen shook her head, "it's a special handshake you use to seal a promise you make to someone. I was just about your age when my dad taught it to me. Would you like to learn it?"

Sharon showed Aspen what to do when she nodded. Once they sealed their promise, Sharon disappeared back into the hospital. I stared in her direction long after she left, wondering what she had to do.

What could Sharon need to do?

She always seems to be busy with something.

Braydon's touch on my shoulder reminded me we were at the hospital. "Let's go, or we'll lose sight of Aspen."

I followed after him, "Braydon, what do you think is going on with Sharon?"

Braydon shrugged, "I'm as clueless as you are. But, whatever it is, if it's any of our business, we'll find out."

"When?" I wondered, feeling a bit annoyed, "When she decides not to harbor any more secrets."

I didn't know why it bothered me, but it did. Sharon wasn't my only friend with secrets. I'm sure that all my other friends had secrets too. But it didn't bother me in the slightest.

"Relax, everyone has secrets," Braydon pointed out, "even we have secrets. No one is a totally open book."

I knew Braydon was right. Everyone had secrets, whether it was from their family or friends. Maybe even both. So it wouldn't be fare if I was mad at Sharon.

I shook all thoughts of secrets and Sharon from my mind and headed toward the car. Sharon was back in five minutes as she promised, and we left after Jason texted me to meet at the bakery later with the wedding planner.

We were the last to arrive at the bakery. Jason and Kelsie were already at the bakery talking with someone we had never met when we arrived after lunch. Aspen and Skylar raced ahead once they were out of the car. Sharon was right behind them with Cupid.

I figured they were safe in our line of sight and pulled Braydon aside so I could talk to him as we walked. "I almost forgot to ask can you spare 24 hours to help me with something?"

Braydon stared at me briefly like he was trying to figure me out. "What do you need help with?"

I looked at him sheepishly, "I might have volunteered The Bolton Family Clean-up crew to finish spring cleaning Gram Gram and Granddad's place."

Braydon stopped where he was and looked at me like I'd lost my marbles, "I hope your crew includes our in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins, at least. Have you seen our grandparent's place?"

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. I could feel my face turning red. "Uuuhhhh, no. It's just our siblings, parents, and us."

He folded his arms across his chest with a serious look. "Then I guess your plan of approach is to burn and torch everything in sight, and we'll clear the ashes."

I laughed at the idea and playfully pushed him, "funny, but no, Mom and dad can clear the attic; the rest of us will each take a room. We'll be done in plenty of time. "

"In theory," Braydon reasoned, "in reality, 24 hours to clear and clean our grandparent's place is a real stretch."

I shook my head, "Gram Gram and Granddad had been clean since before I came back, and it still looked like they'd barely started. They need help."

Braydon sighed, and I could tell I'd broken him, "OK, when is mission impossible taking place?"

I smiled in victory. That's one person down and three to go, not including Aspen since she won't need any convincing.

"I have to talk to mom and Sonny first, but most likely sometime next week when all three of you can take the day off."

Braydon shrugged, and we started walking again. "OK, just tell me what mom and Sonny said then."

Aspen raced back in our direction, stopping in front of us. "Come on," She yanked our arms impatiently, "let's eat cake."

Braydon and I laughed, picking up our pace. Everyone else was talking in their own little group when we stopped in front of the bakery. Kelsie was talking with someone who I could only assume was the wedding planner. Sharon was talking to Jason about what else-basketball. How she would know so much about basketball is a mystery to Braydon and me. Just something else new about Sharon that's a mystery to me.

"Troy, did you know that Sharon used to play for her school basketball team," Jason asked, noticing our arrival. "She was even captain. You two should play sometime."

I shook my head, "that's news to me. But playing together sounds fun."

Teagan looked up from her notebook. "Are you the best man?"

Jason draped his arm over my shoulders, "yup, this guy here is my absolute best friend in the entire world. Troy Bolton."

I shook Teagan's outstretched hand, "nice to meet you, Troy. I'm Teagan, the wedding planner's assistant. Since you're the best man, we'll see plenty of each other."

I smiled, letting go of her hand, before turning to Jason and Kelsie. "Wedding planner's assistant? What happened to the wedding planner?"

"Nothing," Kelsie answered, "but Zeke told us that his friend has a full schedule already. The assistant will be meeting with us, and Zeke's friend will work with the notes Teagan gives her. Plus, Sharon has agreed to help us if we need it. It still beats us shooting around in the dark, hoping to score."

Braydon and I laughed, "I'm sure it beats any of us trying to help you alone since we have no idea what we're doing."

We all laughed, sounding like a chorus. I noticed Teagan whispering in Sharon's ear when she stopped laughing. Sharon giggled and whispered something back. I was almost positive that Teagan and Sharon weren't new friends. If I had to guess, I'd say they'd know each other forever.

"Sharon, have you met Teagan before?" I tried asking.

Teagan and Sharon were both quiet. They had one of those famous silent conversations I've seen my parents have daily growing up. They definitely knew each other.

Sharon said, "I grew up in Cali for a couple of years, and Teagan was my neighbor back then."

Teagan reached for the door and added, "let's take this conversation inside."

Skylar cheered, "cake."

Aspen didn't bother to cheer. Instead, she decided her actions spoke louder than her words and proceeded to pull us inside. Her excitement spoke volumes as she raced to the cake display. I caught up with her just as the owner came out.

"Come on, A," I took her hand, "we have to sit before the owner can bring us the cake samples."

Aspen perked up and ran for the table. I was right on her heels, wondering where she got all her energy from.

"Welcome, I'm Emily," a young woman greeted us, "I'm the owner and head baker here at Sweet Treats. Two of you must be the lucky couple, Jason and Kelsie."

Jason and Kelsie introduced themselves, and Emily proceeded to congratulate them. After they introduced us, Emily asked them a couple of questions, mostly about their wedding and preferences. It didn't take Emily to realize that Jason and Kelsie hadn't made much headway in their plans. They hadn't even decided on the simplest stuff yet. Ultimately, Emily offered us the sampler plate, which we couldn't refuse.

"You two seem really friendly for being ordinary neighbors," Jason noted when Teagan and Sharon started whispering back and forth. "Are you two really just neighbors?"

They shared a look and shrugged, "my parents used to work a lot, and Sharon's family would watch me a lot before they moved. So you could say we're more than your ordinary neighbor."

My gaze darted between Sharon and Teagan for a minute before I mentally concluded that could explain the look that Teagan and Sharon kept giving each other.

Aspen scrunched her nose like a cute little bunny. "Is Teagan your sick friend that you mentioned the other day?"

Teagan raised her brow at Sharon. Sharon shook her head, "no, she's my friend who caught cooties when she was fifteen."

Teagan gave Sharon a look of confusion, "what cooties and what sick friend?"

Sharon whispered something to Teagan as Emily came back out with plates of cupcakes. Skylar makes a head dive for the cupcakes when Emily sets them with the utensils in front of us. Emily jumped back in surprise, but Kelsie quickly held her back.

"Easy, you little sugar monster," Kelsie said, holding Skylar back, "we have to wait until Emily tells us what we're eating."

Skylar reached out, "cake!"

Laughter echoed around the table. Skylar sure had a sense of humor when she wanted to be funny.

Braydon picked her up, "let's hear what kind of cupcakes we're trying first, my little sugar monster."

Skylar stopped reaching and calmed down. Emily started talking about the cakes before us once she was sure she had our attention. "OK, so our top-selling flavors from left to right are Lemon, Strawberry Vanilla, Cookie Dough Mint, Mocha Chocolate, and Raspberry Cream. In the three bowls, you have our most popular whipped cream flavors Cream Cheese, Dark Choco Moose, and Strawberry Vanilla."

It all looked so good; my mouth was starting to water. Aspen picked up her fork and would have started digging in if I didn't stop her. She pinched her face into a frown and huffed before folding her arms across her chest.

Emily chuckled, seeing how impatient the children were getting. "I can see the children are getting really impatient. Why don't I leave you to try the cake flavors and talk it over? I'll be back in a bit, and we can continue to talk then."

We thanked her before Braydon started dishing out the plates. Aspen and Skylar didn't waste a second when Braydon placed a plate in front of them. It didn't take either of them long to make a huge mess and cover themselves in cake and whipped cream.

Skylar showed Braydon her messing hands with a broad smile, "how did you manage to turn yourself into a cake," Braydon wondered aloud, seeing Skylar covered in sweets.

Skylar giggled, "nummy cake!"

"I can get her cleaned," Sharon offered, taking Skylar's messy hands. Aspen wiped some cream from her face with her finger, "Aspen, why don't you come with? You can use a little cleaning too."

I removed Aspen from my lap, "that's a good idea, A."

Aspen shrugged and continued to pick at the cream on her face as they headed for the bathroom.

I turned to Teagan once they were out of earshot, "Teagan, you know Sharon, is there a reason Sharon relates so well to others, especially Aspen?"

Teagan was quiet, staring at the bathrooms. It was impossible to read Teagan's mind with her emotionless face. It was almost like a blank slate waiting to be written on.

"She's been through a lot, more than most people." Teagan absentmindedly stated, "it's probably what helped her relate to others."

"Really, like what," Jason asked before taking a sip of water.

Teagan shrugged off Jason's question and took another bite of her cake, "it's not my place to say. If you want to know, you'll have to ask her yourselves and wait for her to tell you when she's ready to talk about it."

Braydon was disappointed that Teagan wouldn't tell them more. The light of interest still burned brightly in his eyes. I hadn't seen him that interested in someone since Quinn.

"Has Sharon ever talked to you about what she sees for herself in the future?" Braydon asked.

Teagan nodded, setting her water aside, "sure. It might not seem like Sharon cares about the future, but she does. She knows what she wants for herself even if she doesn't have a thought-out way to achieve it."

That got my attention. "So what does she want," I asked as I gave Cupid some whipped cream with Strawberry Vanilla cake.

"To put it simply, family. Family and love."

"What are we talking about," Aspen stopped beside me. The rest of my cake caught her attention, and she busted out her infamous puppy dog pout. "Can I have more cake?"

I lifted her onto my lap, "you have to promise you're not going to turn yourself into a cake and that you're going to share with Sky."

Aspen nodded fiercely and dug into my plate. Skylar and Aspen passed the fork back and forth as we talked. Sharon helped them clean themselves when they finished.

"You really are a natural," Jason praised, seeing how quickly Sharon cleaned the girls up.

Sharon responded without missing a beat, "Well, I do have some experience with children."

She immediately realized she had said too much and started trying to correct herself. The more she talked, the more intrigued Braydon was. But as interested as Braydon was, that was how worried Teagan looked.

The longer Sharon rambled on, the more nervous she got. She was really trying to hide something. Deciding to give her a break, I stopped her, "Sharon, it's OK. You don't have to elaborate if she wishes not to."

She smiled sheepishly, causing my stomach to flip. "Thanks."

We had just finished trying the last flavor when Emily returned. "So, do we have a verdict on the favorite?"

"Cake!" Skylar squealed with a giggle.

"They were all amazing. It's not hard to see why these are your top flavors," Sharon praised and turned her attention to me. "Troy. Braydon, why don't we take the girls outside to burn some of their energy while everyone else stays here to talk with Emily?"

I stood and sat Aspen on my hip, "That's a good idea," I agreed, patting my leg to get Cupid to stand and follow. Braydon was right behind us.

Aspen and Skylar had plenty of energy to burn from all the sugar they had when we got outside. We barely got to remind them to stay close before they raced off after each other, giggling.

Sharon, Braydon, and I watched them from a nearby bench. "So, Teagan mentioned that you've been through a lot," Braydon stated as we sat, "that's probably why you relate so well to others."

Sharon was silent for a moment before saying, "what else did she tell you about me?"

"That was it," I shrugged, "she said it wasn't her place to say, and we have to ask you if we want to know more."

"And if it's OK with you, we would love to know more," Braydon stated.

Sharon's gaze went from Braydon to me and back again. Her brow was raised as she studied us, trying to figure us out. "You really want to know?"

Braydon nodded, "absolutely, but only if you're comfortable talking to us about it."

Sharon smiled, "OK, but if I tell you something about myself of your choice, then you both have to tell something of my choice about you. Thinking of it like we're trading secrets or playing twenty questions."

Braydon and I considered for a moment before saying, "deal. But if we aren't comfortable with answering, we can pass."

"Deal," Sharon nodded, "we'll go around robin style, and Braydon, you start."

Braydon thought for a moment, "OK, Sharon, Where exactly did you live growing up?"

She raised an eyebrow at us, "you want to know all the places I've lived in growing up?"

I shrugged, "sure. As much as you're OK with telling us."

Chuckling, she brushed loose hair behind her ear, "OK. Just remember you asked. I've lived in San Francisco, Fresno, Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, Sacramento, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, and Malibu before finally moving to L.A."

The shock was apparent on Braydon's face, and I knew it was on mine too. I was dizzy just from hearing her.

San Francisco and Albuquerque were the only two places my family has ever lived. I couldn't imagine moving around so much as a kid, not having a place to call home, and leaving my friends behind. It would be way too hard.

Braydon found his voice, "you sure had been around."

She nodded, chuckling, "that's about the usual response I get. So Braydon, tell me about you and Quinn. What was your relationship with Quinn like?"

Braydon glanced over at Skylar before he said, "we were high school sweethearts, together since our Sophomore year. Quinn and I were as different as night and day. Everyone always said we're polar opposites, and they're right. We had the whole opposite attract thing, which worked until it…."

"It didn't," Sharon finished for him.

Braydon nodded with a distant look in his eyes. "yeah, exactly. Ultimately, we were just too different, and she made the best choice for her. Sometimes I still wonder if I could've done something different, though. Maybe if I had, she'd still want to be around."

Sharon didn't look convinced, "if leaving was really the best choice for her, no matter what you do, it probably still would've ended with her leaving. So don't blame yourself."

Braydon smiled, "thanks, that's what my Gram Gram tells me all the time."

"Your guys Gram Gram is a very wise woman indeed," Sharon stated, "Troy, your turn for a question."

I nodded, "OK, why did you move to L.A.?"

"My dad was working in L.A. at the time, and I wanted to be close to him. So I decided to attend UCLA. I've been living in L.A. since. Braydon, your turn."

Braydon stared into Sharon's eyes briefly as he thought before asking, "so in L.A., you told our dad you rarely play sports, but early you told Jason you were good enough at basketball to be team captain. So do you play sports?"

"My dad taught me to play basketball, and it's pretty much the only sport I've ever learned to play." Sharon chewed on her lip, reminding me of Gabriella's habit when she was deep in thought. My stomach flipped watching her. "Uuuuhhhhh, I used to play on my school them in middle school and part of high school. It was just something I did to help me feel closer to my dad. Middle of my Sophomore year, I quit, and I haven't really competed in sports since. Now I rarely play at all except with my family sometimes. But I watch basketball all the time. OK, now Troy, why is it so hard for you to move on from your ex-girlfriend?"

I shrugged, not knowing where to begin. There were so many reasons. Was there time to list them all?

I blew a raspberry and started explaining, "your first love is always harder to forget. Gabriella was the first girl I ever saw myself with. Even now, I can't say I'm completely over her. What's worse was that I never saw it coming."

Braydon raised one of his eyebrows at me, giving me a confused look, "didn't you say before that you knew you were letting your relationship slip with everything going on?"

I gently bobbed my head before continuing in a whisper, "I knew I was letting my relationship slip, but I didn't know how bad I was failing until I raced after her hoping to fix things, and saw her in the arms of another guy."

Braydon sighed with a sympathetic look. He reached over, placing a comforting hand on my lap. "Sorry, bro, I can't begin to imagine how you're feeling."

I forced a tiny smile through the sad ache I was feeling again. "I'm OK."

We were all silent. Skylar and Aspen's giggles were the only sound we heard. Cupid sat up and licked my hand like he knew I needed cheering up.

I smiled a little brighter, patting Cupid. Cupid always knew when I needed him.

Sharon found her voice and spoke, "you've never mentioned this to anyone before, have you?"

I shook my head, "never; you and Braydon are the first to know."

More silence.

"Can I give you some advice," Sharon asked when she spoke again.

"I'd appreciate it," I replied honestly.

"Moving on doesn't mean you're letting go. It only means you're choosing to be happy," Sharon paused for a second, "Gabriella was a huge part of your life; you may never let her go, and that's OK. But life knows what's doing for all of us, even when it seems like it doesn't."

I thought about what she said. Admittedly there was some truth to it, but it was easier said than done.

I felt a little better, "That's excellent advice. Have you ever let go of someone you loved?"

Sharon turned towards the children playing in front of the bakery. Her gaze wasn't at Aspen but at Skylar. Pain sparkled in her eyes as she stared without so much as blinking.

"It wasn't exactly like your situation, but yeah. I had to let go and move on after losing some people I love," she said sadly, "I was right around Skylar's age."

Braydon tilted his head, curious to learn more, "What happened?"

Sharon was quiet for a moment as she fidgeted with her bracelet. "My mother left one day out of the blue. Just when we were getting back on our feet, my dad was in an accident. He passed away that night, and Poppi became our guardian."

I scrunched my brows together. "Our?"

Sharon nodded, "My siblings and me. Just over a year later, Poppi passed from a heart attack."

Braydon sighed, "that must have been rough."

Sharon had a distant kind of look in her eyes, "we got through it."

I was more than a little confused. "Uuuhhhh, didn't you say before that you're really close with your parents?"

Sharon traced her finger over her bracelet. "After Poppi passed, we lost pretty much-lost everything, and we were placed in the system."

"I can't imagine not having my family around growing up," Braydon stated with a sympathetic voice.

I stared over at Aspen and Skylar, racing around. Memories of my family over the years came rushing back. I hadn't realized much I had relied on them over the years, especially since Gabriella and I had broken up. They were my rock, and I couldn't even begin to grasp the idea of not having them around.

"Is that why the only thing you want in your future is family and love?"

Sharon chuckled and noted, "You two are nosy, aren't you?"

I smiled and shrugged, "I prefer to think of it as wanting to know more about my friends. After all, you know all about me, and I know next to nothing about you."

Sharon was quiet for a moment, "you've both lost something that means everything to you. If you had a second chance, wouldn't you cherish it?"

I nodded, "without a doubt."

Sharon seemed like she was elsewhere when she spoke again, "I was around Aspen's age when I was finally lucky enough to have a place to call home. I wasn't old enough to remember everything that happened before I was adopted, but after hitting rock bottom for nearly three years, I understood how lucky I was. I knew what I had was a second chance at something that was taken from us, and you tend to hang on to what you know you can lose."

Braydon and I dropped our heads, remaining silent for a moment. Teagan was right; Sharon had been through a lot. The fact that she was doing as well as she was says a lot about her. My heart went out to her, but I'm also glad I knew more about her.

I was so wrong about her. I assumed she was just like all the other girls I met in L.A. But the more I know, the more I realize she isn't anything like them. She is different, and I like that she is so different.

Cupid must have sensed our sadness and attempted to get us to play. Braydon stood up, "Come on, enough sitting around and feeling sad. Let's have some fun and burn some energy."

Sharon smiled before letting out her infectious chuckle. The chuckle was music to my ears, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Come on," I slipped my hand into hers without thinking.

Pulling her towards the kids, we joined their game. Laughter erupted from all of us as we tried to get around Braydon. Stopping to catch my breath, I took in my surroundings. I felt grateful as I thought of how lucky I was. My family is the biggest blessing I have, I thought.

My gaze landed on Sharon as she tucked a piece of loose hair behind her eyes.

She smiled and winked at me.

And friends I can count on, old and new, are a close second.