Chapter 14

August

Two Weeks Later

Today was the big day. The day we leave for Spain.

We were short-staffed at the Country Club so I had to work an early shift that morning. I figured I could use all the spare change and tips I could get anyways. Steven and Taylor were picking me up then we would go straight to the airport. I still couldn't believe that in less than 24 hours I would be back in Spain. With my family. With Conrad. It was all I could think about as I was bussing tables.

"Hey, do you mind grabbing the last one?" My co worker, Alli, approaches me. "The kitchen crew could use some help. They're drowning in dishes back there."

I think about it for a moment then I nod. "Yeah, no problem."

Just one more table, I think to myself. Then you are free.

I walk over to the table, adjusting my apron without looking up. I take my notepad out of my pocket and tuck a strand of loose hair behind my ear. My hair was falling out of its ponytail thanks to how busy the morning rush had been but the locals were always generous with their tips so I couldn't complain.

"Welcome to The Cousins Country Club." I say. "What can I get started for you?"

When I finally look up, I nearly drop my notepad when I see who is sitting at the table. It's Conrad. He just laughs at my reaction.

"What are you doing here?" I gasp as he stands up. "If you're here for brunch, we're out of everything good."

"Actually, I'm here to take you to the airport." He laughs.

He must have arranged it with Steven ahead of time. I admire him at that moment and he looks me up and down in my work apron. A quick glance over like he did that summer when we became more than friends. It takes me back in time. I quickly hug him.

"You look good." He whispers into my ear. He had never seen me in my work attire before.

"So do you." I laugh as I pull away to look at him. "Even if you are a liar. I look like a mess right now."

He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I don't think it's possible for you to look bad, Belly."

"Now you're just being a kiss ass." I tease him even though his compliment melts my heart.

"Am I?" He gives me a daring smirk, leaning in closer and I just nod, looking at his lips.

"Well, is it working?" He flirts with me, looking at my lips.

"Kiss me and find out."

He sweeps me off my feet and kisses me. I laugh as he twirls me around in my work apron then just as suddenly, I hear laughter from behind us. I remember we're not alone.

"Belly!" Alli teases me from the kitchen. "Is that your boyfriend?!"

The kitchen staff laughs with her. Conrad sets me back on my feet and we can't stop smiling at each other then I sigh as I remember where I am. Spain would have to wait a little while longer.

"I should probably let you finish your shift." He says, looking down at me.

"Yeah." I sigh but his hands don't leave my waist.

"Where's your keys?" Conrad asks. "I'll take care of your luggage while you finish."

I toss him my car keys and he catches them with one hand. "See you soon." He winks.

"See you soon." I repeat with a smile.

"I'll be out front." He kisses my cheek then he whispers into my ear. "Don't take too long, Isabel Conklin."

I blush and admire him as he walks away. I still couldn't believe he had shown up to my work like this. I had known him my whole life yet he still found ways to surprise me. Conrad and I were in a good place. A really good place. We had grown closer over the past two weeks.

Two Weeks Earlier:

I walk outside as soon as I hear Conrad's car engine turn off. The anticipation had been killing me all afternoon. Their lunch had taken longer than I expected. He had been gone for almost two hours but I figured that was a good sign. I wanted to know everything but above all, I was proud of him. I knew it took strength for Conrad to go see Adam alone. When I'm outside, Conrad is nowhere to be found. I'm confused when I see his car door is open but he isn't inside of the car. Then I hear something to my right and I walk around the house to find him. His land lets go of the gate as he crumbles to his knees, clawing at his chest.

It scares the hell out of me.

"Conrad?" My breath shakes as I run up to him but he doesn't respond. It's like he doesn't even see me. The panic attack hits him full-force and all I can do is be there for him.

I sit with him on the ground and I hold him upright in my arms. His body leans into mine for support as his head rests on my shoulder. His body starts to shake in my arms and it hits me that he is crying. Conrad rarely cried in front of me. And I would never forget the cry that came out of his body that day. It was devastating. It crushed me.

I try to talk him through it and help him gain control over his breathing but it was no use. He was elsewhere and I just knew it in my bones he was thinking of her. Susannah. I start to feel immense guilt as I rub his back to soothe him. I was the one who had pushed him to go see Adam. I should have known it would go like this. I truly wanted to believe Adam had changed after all these years but if Susannah dying hadn't changed him then nothing would.

Conrad cries into my shoulder, "I'm sorry."

The pain in his voice kills me. What did he have to apologize for? He had done nothing wrong.

"Shh." I whisper as I rub his back. "Don't be. You have nothing to be sorry for, Conrad."

As time passes, his breathing returns back to normal and his panic attack dissipates. He lets me continue to rub his back as we sit there together in silence. The guilt eats away at me.

"I'm sorry." I whisper. "I shouldn't have pushed you to go see him. This is my fault."

"This isn't your fault, Belly."

"Stop being so nice to me." I shake my head. "I didn't listen to you and look what happened."

He pulls out of our hug to finally look at me. His eyes are bloodshot and red from crying. It almost hurts to look at him because his tears were there because of me.

"This doesn't fall on you." He says to me. "This is all Adam."

I swallow as I look at him for a moment. "What did he say to you, Conrad?"

He looks away from me and I can feel his pain. I would do anything to take it all away from him.

"Adam and I are just different people. We'll never see eye to eye on things." He looks back at me. "But I don't want you to worry about this or me. Everything is okay."

"Conrad, you just had a panic attack." I shake my head. "You don't have to pretend with me. You can talk to me. You can talk to me about anything."

"I know." He fakes a smile, nodding. "But I'm okay. Really."

He was trying so hard to sound and look convincing but I knew him better than that. I had known this boy my whole life and as much as it was killing me to not know what happened, I also knew I should stay out of it. I didn't want to push him more than I already had.

So I don't fight him on it. Instead I search his eyes and whisper, "Promise?"

I wanted him to promise he was going to be okay. That everything was okay. But he just hugs me and I hug him back. He never answers my question. I would remember that.

"Thank you, Belly." Conrad whispers into my shoulder as he hugs me. "For always being there. Sometimes I think you're the only girl I could ever trust."

"I'll always be here for you." I rub his back. "Just like how you've always been there for me."

He hugs me tighter and it's the sweetest hug I'd ever known. An exchange of trust.

It took me until adulthood to realize Adam specifically had parentified Conrad his whole life. And because of this Conrad had been forced to grow up too fast. Steven, Jere, and I had always looked up to Conrad for that very reason. He was the smartest, he was the oldest, and he was good at everything. The parents trusted him. But maybe he had never been given much of a choice. From a young age, Adam had expected greatness out of Conrad. He had seen Conrad as a reflection of himself and failure wasn't an option. It's what made me feel great empathy towards Conrad especially in moments like this one. Because I understood why he was the way he was. Why he carried so many things alone. He had never been given a choice to just be a kid. A carefree kid with no expectations or responsibilities or secrets on his shoulders.

After Susannah passed, he really didn't have anyone. Sure he had Jere, my mom, and Steven but Conrad didn't open up easily. And I wanted to be that someone for him. I wanted to be there for him in the way he had been there for me our whole lives. He was my safe harbor and I wanted to be his. Conrad never did tell me what happened between him and Adam that day. We spent the rest of the weekend soaking in the rest of our time together. I figured with time he would tell me. At least some good had come out of it: Conrad and I were rebuilding trust with one another. We were rewriting all of our wrongs. Opening up to each other. It was a moment that made us stronger together.

"Okay, I know he is your boyfriend and all but he is so hot!" Alli laughs from behind me, bringing me back into the present moment at the Country Club. "How'd you two meet?"

"We never really met." I shrug, getting back to work and snapping out of it. "We grew up together. Known each other our whole lives."

"I can tell." She says as she wipes down a table. I pause what I'm doing and I look at her.

"The way he looks at you." She shakes her head as she wipes down the table then she smiles at me. "Now that is how every girl wants to be looked at. You're one lucky girl, Belly."

"Geez, Alli!" I laugh, bussing the table next to hers. "Maybe you should date him."

"Oh, he's happily taken." Alli laughs. She throws the rag over her shoulder and winks at me. "That's the look of a man in love."

Her words catch me off guard and I don't know why because in my heart, I knew she was right. Conrad had been upfront about his feelings for me this whole summer. He never lied about that. I hadn't forgotten about our night in the rain on the pier. The words he had spoken. How he had kissed me. What we had almost done in front of the fireplace. We were in the best place we'd ever been. We were stronger than we'd ever been. But I just couldn't shake the feeling that some part of him was still holding back. Not just with sex either. It felt like there was something else and it scared me. How was I supposed to give him my full heart when I wasn't sure if I had all of his? Once you let those three little words escape your mouth there is no going back. And I liked where we were at. I wasn't sure I could survive losing him again.

"Hey, I got the rest." Alli waves me off as I close my shift. "Get out of here, Conklin! Go have some fun! You've earned it."

"Thanks." I laugh as I grab the rest of my things. I wave at everyone. "See you soon!"

Alli laughs, "Bye, bye Birdie!"

I quickly change out of my work attire and into something more comfortable in the bathroom. I never knew what to wear to airports so I just dressed in the comfiest thing I owned. An oversized t-shirt with shorts. I knew Taylor would roll her eyes but I figured once we landed in Spain it would be hot. I also packed a few of Susannah's baby tees just in case and I couldn't wait to see the look on Conrad's face for that one. When I walk outside, he is exactly where he said he would be. He is parked upfront, leaning against his car.

He opens the passenger door for me. "Ready?"

"Spain, here we come!" I laugh as I sit in the seat.

He laughs too then he asks me, "You didn't bring a coat?"

"It's summer." I shrug, putting on my seatbelt. "I'll be fine."

"Here." He says, reaching for one in his backseat. He sets it on my lap. "Planes get cold."

"Thank you." I blush. It smells just like him. "I still can't believe you drove all this way."

He doesn't say anything. He just leans down to kiss me and it hits me that this is happening. This is real. Conrad and I would be spending a whole week together with no interruptions. No more long-distance calls or facetimes. It was going to be a trip to remember.

Conrad:

Earlier That Morning

I call Steven as I'm halfway to Cousins, "Hey."

"Hey, man." Steven picks up then he sighs, "Wait, if you're calling me to back out last minute-"

"I'm not backing out on you, Steven." I roll my eyes. "I'm your best man, remember?"

Steven smiles. "I knew I could count on you."

"Hey, I was thinking." I start. "I'll pick up Belly. It's out of your way anyways. I'm halfway to Cousins right now."

"Oh, I see." Steven laughs on the other end. "You're too cool for us now."

"Or maybe I just want to see my girl." I laugh.

"Alright, alright." Steven sighs with sarcasm. "Go get your girl, Fisher."

I smile then before we hang up I ask him, "Hey, how are you feeling about everything?"

I wasn't sure if Taylor was in the room with him so I was being careful with my words. Steven walks outside so Taylor can't hear him. She is on the phone with Laurel making plans anyways.

"Honestly? I just can't wait any longer." Steven paces back and forth in front of their place. "The anticipation is killing me, man."

"That's good." I smile. "That's how you know you're proposing to the right one."

"Yeah." Steven agrees then he lets out a deep breath. "I don't know. I felt good about everything until today. Now all I can think about is what if she says no?"

"You're joking, right?" I laugh. "Taylor's had a crush on you since we were kids."

"I know but what if that's not enough?" Steven hesitates. "What if I'm not enough?"

"Steven." I shake my head. "You're proposing to her in Spain. She won't say no. That's pretty damn romantic."

We both share a laugh and it sounds like Steven could use a good laugh. He sighs.

"I just want it to be perfect for her, you know? What if something goes wrong?"

"Nothing will go wrong." I reassure him. "Laurel and I will be there to make sure of that."

"Thanks again for coming, man." Steven smiles then he laughs. "I mean I know we cornered you into it but I really couldn't have pulled all of this off without you guys. Thanks for everything."

"You're like a brother to me, Steven. I'm more than happy to help."
There was a moment of silence on his end as he takes in my words.

"I guess I'll have to pay it forward when you and Belly tie the knot, huh?" Steven jokes.

It was the first time Steven had ever implied Belly and I would get married someday. He said it so casually too as if it wasn't a big deal. Like I had his blessing without even having to ask him. I couldn't wipe the big fat smile on my face.

"I still can't believe you're getting engaged!" I shake my head, laughing. "This will be a trip to remember."

"Hell yeah." Steven smiles then I hear a door open in the background. "Hey, I gotta go. I'll see you and Belly at the airport?"

"See you soon, bro."

"Oh and one more thing, Con." Steven hesitates.

"Yeah?"

"The live Mariachi band backed out." Steven teases me. "I was hoping you could serenade us-"

"Not a chance." I laugh, interrupting him.

"Damn." Steven laughs. "I was hoping you'd bless us with that angelic voice of yours."

"Oh, fuck off." I roll my eyes and laugh before we hang up.

The first flight from BOS to JFK was the shortest. Under two hours. My mom and Steven had arranged it that way so our direct flight to Spain would be a redeye and we could sleep for most of it. I claim the window seat right away and Conrad sits on my right. I point out the glittering lights of the city as we take off and Conrad holds my hand. I joke that I can see the waves at Cousins beach and he just laughs. The rest of my family sits in the rows to the right of us. Everyone was excited and full of energy, showing each other pictures and talking about excursions.

For most of the first flight, Conrad spends it studying material for medical school on his ipad. I steal glances at him as he concentrates with his over-the-head headphones on. They were identical to the pair he had worn during the all-nighter we pulled to get him to Stanford. Medical school hadn't started back up yet there he was studying. Susannah would be so proud of him.

As we take off for our final flight to Spain, I'm teleported back in time. To the moment I had left Finch University to study abroad. I was proud of myself for how far I'd come. Spain would always have a special place in my heart. It was the place I found myself. The place I really blossomed and grew into who I wanted to be. And the place I mourned my break up with Jeremiah. It was strange to think of it all now with Conrad right next to me with his hand in mine.

After they serve us a complimentary dinner on the redeye, everyone tries to get some sleep. It had been a long travel day so far. Conrad and I stay up for some of it talking then use each other as headrests as we fall asleep on each other. It was sweet.

More than halfway through the flight, I can't sleep. I listen to an old playlist of mine when Conrad asks me what I'm listening to. I thought he had been asleep. I hand him my right earbud and our heads touch as we listen to my playlist together. The next song that starts to play is Black by Pearl Jam. I feel the blood rush to my cheeks.

"I can't remember the last time I listened to this song." I laugh, feeling embarrassed.

"Yeah, it's been awhile for me too." He says and there is something in his voice that sounds sad.

I look at him. "You used to love this song?"

"I did." He says, looking down.

"What's wrong?"

"When I drove away from you on the wedding day this was the song that played on the radio."

"Oh." I breathe. It was painful to think about that day. It had felt so final between us.

I pause the song immediately. "Let's- let's listen to something else-"

"It's okay."

"No, let's-" I start to say but he squeezes my hand to get my attention and I look at him.

"I want to listen to the rest of it with you." He smiles. "Just like we used to."

We listen to the rest of the song together with our heads touching. It was comforting to think that day was behind us. In the past where it belonged. He holds my hand and his thumb circles mine as I slowly fall asleep on his shoulder. He kisses my forehead when the song ends.

When we finally arrive to Spain, we're able to check in to our hotel because of the time difference. It was early afternoon. Everyone is exhausted and wants to freshen up before we explore Madrid. We knew the best way to fight jetlag would be to stay awake and go to bed on their time. Cleveland tosses Conrad and I a hotel key as we all get checked in. They had booked us a room to share? It surprises me and when I look at Conrad, he looks surprised too. Apparently, the hotel had sold out of rooms by the time Cleveland had booked Conrad's ticket so he figured we wouldn't mind sharing a room. And to be perfectly honest, I didn't mind. It was exciting to think I would be waking up next to Conrad every morning. But it was also nervewracking. We all get into the elevator together and get off on our separate floors. Steven and Taylor were first. They kiss then wave at us. Then Laurel and Cleveland get off. Then it's just Conrad and I alone. There was a nervous energy to the air. We had never shared a room before. We just kept sneaking looks at each other and laughing. Maybe it was the jetlag or maybe we were just in love.

When we find our hotel room, Conrad scans the hotel key to open the door. "After you." He smirks at me.

I giggle as I step inside our room. My jaw drops as I take it all in. Cleveland had gotten everyone an upgrade but what he didn't tell us was that he had gotten us a suite. He had stayed at this hotel for book conferences in the past so he had an in with the hotel management. Conrad follows me, pushing the bellhop cart with our luggage on it and his reaction matches mine.

"What in the world." He says as he takes it all in.

I go straight to the window. It had the most incredible view of Madrid. I marvel at it.

"This is amazing!" I laugh. "You can see the whole city from up here! It's like a painting!"

Conrad comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me. I hold onto his arms and we share a moment as we look out at the city together. I could stay in this little moment forever.

"You're right." He says into my hair. "It is like a painting."

I turn to face him in his arms. "Thank you for coming. I can tell it meant a lot to my family." I turn to face him in his arms. "And it means a lot to me."

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else with anyone else."

He kisses me and it's the most magical moment. If the rest of the trip was going to be as magical as this, I wasn't sure how I would be able to be apart from him ever again.

As nervewracking as it was to share a room together it was also nice. Conrad was neat. He hangs up his clothes. He puts things away. Everything had it's place. I decide to take a shower but the shower is so fancy I can't figure it out. It comes out scolding hot and I nearly scream.

Conrad taps on the bathroom door. "Everything okay?"

"Um, yeah." I sigh. "I just can't figure out the shower."

He laughs then he is quiet for a moment. "Need help?"

I think fast. I quickly wrap a white towel around my body and fix my hair in the mirror before I open the door. Conrad sees me in the towel and struggles to keep his eyes on my face. And I'm enjoying it. He steps around me to figure out the shower and I watch him as he works.

"There." He turns to me amused. "You were turning it the wrong way."

"Oh" is all I can say as I stare at his lips. "Thanks."

I had always loved this side of Conrad. He made everything better. He was a fixer.

"No problem." He smiles as he stands up and before he can turn away, I reach out to touch his face. We lock eyes and share a moment before I close the distance between us to kiss him. It was a consuming kiss. A passionate one. We break away to catch our breath.

"We should-" He starts but I bring his face back to mine.

The sexual tension builds between us as I pull him into the shower with me. The water soaks through our shirts as we kiss. I sneak looks at him. I had always loved him with wet hair.

Suddenly there is a knock at the door. "Hey guys?"

It was my mom. She truly had the worst timing. We pull apart to look at each other under the stream of water. I wait for Conrad to walk away to answer the door but he doesn't. We just stare at each other, breathing hard.

"Yeah?" I call out.

"My phone is dead." Laurel calls out. "We're meeting downstairs in 20 minutes."

"Okay!" I call out and she walks away.

"I should let you shower." Conrad kisses my cheek. Before I can argue with him, he walks out and closes the bathroom door. I lean my head back against the shower wall breathless.

After I shower and get ready for the day, I walk out in one of Susannah's baby tees. Conrad struggles to form words when he sees me and it's the most adorable thing. He is speechless and I just kiss him. We spend our first day roaming the streets. The sights. The smells. The people. It was exactly how I remembered it. Cleveland takes us to a few places including one of his favorite restaurants. Everyone inhales the food then we adventure some more. Conrad's hand doesn't leave mine as we walk and all I can think about is how I can't wait to be alone with him.

Conrad:

Did she have any idea what she was doing to me? How beautiful and perfect she was in my eyes? Cleveland and Belly led the way. We explore what Madrid has to offer and as spectacular as the sights were, I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. She was the real view. She giggled as she pointed at things in my mom's baby tees from college and everytime she smiled at me, she stole my heart all over again. It felt like we were kids again. We hadn't spent an entire day together like this in a long time.

The day flies by and everyone calls it a night. Everyone leaves for their rooms then pretty soon it's just Belly and I again in the elevator. I couldn't shake how nervous I was to spend the night together. Our little moment in the shower had really done a number on me.

"So." Belly nudges me in the elevator. "How was your first day in Spain?"

"Honestly?" I smile. "I haven't had this good of a day in a long time."

"It's magical, isn't it?" Her eyes light up as she smiles wide. "Spain is a magical place."

"I think a place is only as good as the people in it." I admire her and she blushes then I kiss her hand.

When we get back inside of the suite, she is just as nervous as I am. I give her privacy as she changes and I try to keep myself busy in the living room. She leaves the door cracked open and it takes everything in me to not look. I had told her I wanted to wait and I had meant that but it was getting harder and harder to resist her. Isabel Conklin could bring any man to his knees.

I'm sitting in the living room when Belly comes out in a tank top and cotton shorts. She was trying to tempt me on purpose. She knew what she was doing and she was having fun with it. Poking at my willpower. And I just laugh at her.

She smiles at me, posing against the archway. "Coming to bed?"

"I can sleep out here if you want the bed." I try to keep my eyes on her face. "The couch pulls out."

"Nope." She just laughs, grabbing my hand as she pulls me up from the couch. "You're not sleeping on the couch, Conrad."

"I don't mind." I say, standing up. "You can have the bed."

"You can't get rid of me that easily." She taps me on the nose then kisses me then she takes me by the hand and leads me to the bedroom.

As if I ever wanted to get rid of her. She was my whole world. My sunshine. If this is what the rest of this trip was going to be like, maybe Taylor wasn't going to be the only one who leaves without a ring on her finger.

We try to stay up to watch a movie together but we end up falling asleep out of pure exhaustion in each other's arms.

The next morning everyone sleeps in. I wake up and reach for Conrad but the spot next to me is empty. I hear the shower running and I breathe a sigh of relief, falling backwards. This wasn't a dream. Conrad and I were in Spain together. This was real.

When he walks out of the bathroom minutes later, I pretend that I'm still asleep. He traces my cheek then kisses my forehead and I wonder how many times he had done this before when I was really asleep. When I hear him walk away, I take a peak at him. He has a towel tied around his waist and his back muscles were exposed as his hands sway at his sides. I had seen him shirtless my whole life but this was a whole new level of hot. I could get used to this view.

I yawn really loud as I sit up and he comes back in with shorts and a t-shirt on. The towel is hanging off his shoulder with his arms crossed.

"Sleep well?" He smirks at me.

I yawn, happily. "If I could marry this bed, I would."

He just laughs at me and I reach out my arms for him. "Come here."

He leans down to kiss me and I run my hands through his freshly showered hair.

He sighs. "I wish every morning was like this."

"Who says it can't be?" I whisper against his lips and he picks me up out of bed to take me to the kitchen.

The trip just kept getting better and better from there. Conrad and I would wake up together. Sometimes he would make me coffee, sometimes he would sneak out to buy me one before I would wake up. During the day, we would explore the city with my family. We would eat amazing food. Buy overpriced souvenirs. Try on Spaniard outfits. Laugh and dance at night with drinks in our hands. Visit every museum and historical site we could. My mom took pictures of all of us every chance she got. She would say, "For Beck" and we wouldn't argue with her. I took a few selfies of Conrad and I on my phone because I never wanted to forget this trip. Steven and Taylor took a few pictures of us walking on the street holding hands or us dancing at night. And we would return the favor by getting candid shots of them too.

For the rest of the week, we would be staying in Seville and the suite there was even better than our suite in Madrid. Cleveland was an amazing travel guide. He knew more spots than I ever did but what made him even more amazing was how he treated all of us. He covered a lot of our meals and expenses. He would brew a cup of coffee for my mom in the mornings while she worked on her book. He had gotten us another upgrade to a suite. I felt such a warmth in my heart for him seeing the way he treated my mother. I had never seen her in love and I prayed that they would never break up again. Speaking of love, Steven was all over Taylor this trip. We would sneak out to bars at night and they couldn't keep their hands off of each other as they laughed and danced. Steven was to Taylor what Conrad was to me. Out of their minds in love.

On our second to last night in Seville, my mom tells everyone to dress their best. We would be dining at a restaurant then taking a family picture at the Plaza de Espana bridge at nightfall. She told us she wanted to get the photo framed for the beach house. Taylor and I get ready together for dinner together that night. We listen to music and help each other get ready just like how it used to be in college.

Before I knew Conrad was coming, I had picked out a dress that was outside of my comfort zone. It had caught my eye. It was from the same shop Susannah had taken me to look for Debutante outfits and I just had to get it. It was a satin blue v-neck dress that popped against my tan skin. I paired it with Susannah's earrings and the heels I had worn to graduation. My hair was wavy from the humidity so Taylor helps me pin it up into a chic messy updo. She was good at that sort of thing. I leave two wavy pieces out to frame my face then I smile in the mirror before I reveal myself to Taylor. She hadn't seen the dress on me yet.

"What do you think?" I smile, doing a full 360 in my dress for her.

"Oh my god." Taylor's mouth drops as she turns away from the mirror. She was putting her earrings in. "Conrad is going to shit when he sees you!"

"You're one to talk!" I laugh, taking in her dress. "You look amazing! Yellow is your color."

Taylor always looked amazing but tonight she was glowing head to toe. The Spain sun had been good to her. She had a beautiful tan that popped against her lemon yellow ruched dress. Her curls were messy but in a supermodel kind of way. Her makeup was even prettier.

"Let's take a picture before we go!" Taylor giggles. "I want to remember tonight."

We take a few selfies in the mirror then we take a few more close-up. She had done my makeup so well I almost didn't recognize myself in the mirror. Not in a bad way. I still looked like me. It was just one of those moments where I felt beautiful. Not just pretty but actually beautiful.

We meet everyone downstairs in the lobby. The look on Steven's face when he sees Taylor is something special. I had never seen my brother like that before. Laurel greets us and we hug. My mother was wearing a beautiful pantsuit. She looked nice.

Conrad doesn't see me right away. He is talking to Cleveland and when he turns around, he stops in his track. The way he looks at me says more than words ever could. His eyes twinkle as he blinks and smiles at me. It reminds me of the way he had looked at me at the Debutante Ball. I lift my hand to give him a little wave from across the room. I felt a million electric jolts course through me. Was this what Alli had been talking about? The look of a man in love?

It was the best dinner I'd ever had in my life. Not only were the food and drinks phenomenal, but the company was even better. Conrad was right. It was the people that made a place. Steven and my mom were cracking jokes left and right. Taylor was making fun of Steven in the best way. I never wanted to forget tonight. These were my people. I look around the table and memorize it all. It was one of those moments you knew you would miss as soon as it was over.

After dinner, we walk out to the Plaza de Espana bridge. It was dark with the exception of the street lamps. It was an uncannily beautiful night. Conrad and I hold hands as he talks to Cleveland. We follow Steven and Taylor who are ahead of us. I watch the two of them laugh and push each other as they make their way to the bridge.

"God." Taylor says, overlooking the water once they're at the bridge. "Can we spend every summer here? I don't want to leave."

"We can." Steven nods. "In fact, we can spend every summer here if you want."

We approach them at the bridge and the air feels serious all of a sudden. Conrad and Cleveland stop talking as we approach them. My mother has a look on her face that I can't pinpoint.

Taylor cocks her head at him and just laughs. "What?"

"Taylor." Steven exhales, holding her hand. "I want to spend every summer with you."

He seems nervous which is very unlike my brother. He takes out his phone and hits play. He turns up the volume on his phone and the song that starts to play is Moon River by Frank Ocean:

Moon river, wider than a mile

I'm crossing you in style someday (someday, day)

A dream maker (maker)

My heart (you heart) breaker

Wherever you're goin'

I'm goin' that way (the same, the same)

Two drifters off to see the world

There's such a crazy world to see

We're all chasin' after all the same

Chasing after our ends

I watch my mom take out her iphone and hit record. She starts to cry and everything clicks. It hits me at the same time it hits Taylor. Steven was proposing. Tonight was the night. I look at Conrad and he squeezes my hand, smiling at me. Did everyone know except for me?

"I've known you since we were kids. We grew up together." Steven continues to talk over the music and Taylor's eyes start to tear up as she realizes what is happening. "You were always someone who was around and when you weren't around, I missed you. I missed your crazy laugh. Your obnoxious fashion. The dances you and Belly would force us to watch. The way you make me feel like I'm the smartest and coolest guy in the room." Everyone laughs with them.

I start to tear up myself and I pull out my phone to record them. I knew Taylor would want this moment captured. I notice a photographer appear and snap photos. My mom had thought of everything. I look at everyone's faces in the moment. I couldn't believe it was really happening.

"Taylor Madison Jewel." Steven smiles through his tears as he gets down on one knee. He pulls out a small velvet ring box from his pocket. "I've had this for months waiting for the right moment and I think it doesn't get any better than this. Ever since that night in the hospital I realized I can't live without you. I don't want to do life with anyone else. You are my world."

Taylor puts her hands up to her face as she starts to cry. They were happy tears. The photographer snaps more photos of them at the bridge from different angles.

"There is no one else out there for me. We have had so many adventures together and I never want them to stop. I promise you I will never stop loving you and chasing you. You are all I've ever wanted. All I've ever needed. Hell, I'll even do your crazy dance routines with you if that's what it takes." He laughs and Taylor does too as they both cry. "I will do whatever it takes for you to say yes. Taylor, will you make me the happiest man in the world by marrying me?"

He opens the box and the prettiest diamond ring shimmers in the moonlight. Conrad snaps a picture of them next to me and I smile at how he had captured the perfect moment between them. I knew they would appreciate that shot. I wipe the tears from my face as I record them.

"Yes" Taylor nods, crying hysterically. "Yes, you idiot! I'll marry you!!"

Steven slips the ring onto her ring finger then lifts her in the air to kiss her on the bridge. It looked like a scene straight out of a movie. Everyone snaps pictures as they cry and kiss each other. My brother couldn't have planned it better. It was the most romantic background with the water behind them as he kissed her on the bridge under the stars. The photographer takes a few photos of them together as Taylor proudly shows off the ring then we take a few family photos all together. And it all makes sense now. My mom didn't want a picture for the beach house. She had hired a photographer to capture one of the biggest moments of their lives. Conrad wraps his arm around me to pose as we smile for the pictures.

I hug Taylor right away. She struggles to hold back tears of joy.

"Did you know this was happening?!" She squeals.

I laugh, shaking my head. "I had no idea."

Steven laughs. "Please. You two tell each other everything. I couldn't risk it."

Conrad hugs Steven and they pat each other's backs. I squint my eyes.

"You knew?" I laugh and Conrad nods shyly.

Steven smiles at him. "What can I say? I needed to have my best man here to support me."

Steven had asked Conrad to be his best man? I smile at the two of them overwhelmed with joy. Cleveland and Laurel hug the happy couple next.

"If only Jere could be here." My mom sighs.

"I sent him a picture." Conrad nods. "He sends his congrats."

Steven and Taylor look at each other and smile.

"I can't believe you're getting married!" I turn back to Taylor, squeezing her hand. "We're finally going to be family!"

Steven sweeps Taylor off of her feet again and she giggles in his arms. They couldn't be more perfect together.

"We're getting married, bitches!!" Taylor and Steven shout. Their voices echo off the water and bridge.

It was the perfect ending to the trip. Tomorrow would be our last day in Spain and I couldn't think of a better way to go out with a bang. We spend the rest of the night drinking and celebrating the newly engaged couple. I still couldn't believe Steven had kept it a secret from me this whole time. I was impressed. And as I watched him interact with Conrad, it made my heart swell for him. Conrad hadn't just come to Spain for me, he come to be there for Steven's big moment. Their friendship had always meant a lot to me.

I have this wild thought as I watch Steven and Taylor dance together. Maybe one day that could be us. Conrad and I against the world. Conrad takes my hand next and twirls me around the dance floor. We were both feeling our drinks and kept running into each other, laughing. Cleveland and my mom join us on the dance floor too. I had never known a happiness like this. And I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only just the beginning.