• • •

Laken surveyed the guests, taking note of who she'd already spoken to, and who she still needed to thank for coming.

It was a mentally exhausting task, but she appreciated everyone who took the time to celebrate the occasion with her.

As Laken brought her glass to her lips, she saw a familiar face, making her pause the motion.

She almost didn't recognize him.

Which was ridiculous, considering she'd spent years memorizing his face and even more time seeing it on TV.

Time had been generous to him.

He'd lost the boyish features he once had, trading them in for a full beard and a sharper jaw. His shoulders were broader, his arms thicker.

Somehow he'd gotten better.

He carried it well—carried everything well, if she was being honest. And worse, he knew it.

Still, three years was enough time for memory to soften around the edges.

Enough time to convince herself she'd moved on.

Enough time to get engaged.

Then Noah walked in like he still belonged there.

Something stirred in her chest as she watched him approach her parents. She needed an excuse to talk to him.

"I'll be back." She said abruptly, not waiting for a response before walking away.

Nervous would be an overstatement. Calm and collected would have been a lie.

Noah didn't see her coming, but he felt it. His eyes scanned the room, landing on her as she closed the distance.

When she reached him, she smiled, "I didn't know you were coming."

"I was in the city." Noah responded, stepping closer to her, "Wanted to personally say congratulations."

Laken took the initiative, slowly wrapping her arms around him, "Thank you."

"Anytime you need me, Lake."

Her scent was consuming— prominent beneath her jaw where Noah placed a kiss.

Laken's eyes closed briefly, "How have you been? How's life?"

"Same shit." Noah rubbed his beard nervously, "I'm moving back here."

He wanted her to say that they could pick up where they left off. That was why he'd come.

Instead, Laken pulled back slightly, the happy smile replaced with a sad one, "I can't do it again, Noah."

"Damn, you practiced that?" Noah questioned, holding her gaze, "I just got here."

"Three months too late."

Footsteps stopped next to the couple, "Am I interrupting?"

Laken jumped in surprise, fumbling through introductions while Noah merely glanced at the man next to them, "Wes, this is Noah. Noah, Wes... My fiancé."

She almost whispered the ending to her sentence, as Wes carefully pulled her into his arms, searching for a reaction from Noah.

He got nothing.

Not a 'congratulations', a 'nice to meet you'— Nothing.

Laken watched him walk away, laughing nervously as she tried to explain his behavior, "I think the open bar is beating his ass."

"That's the next-door neighbor?"

"He was the neighbor. I don't live there anymore, and neither does he."

Wesley's eyes narrowed, "You think it's cool to be hugging him like that while I'm standing right here? Shit, even if I wasn't here?"

"Do I think it's okay to catch up with my friend who I haven't seen in a while?"

"He's your ex. I don't wanna argue about this, but don't act like you didn't just leave mid-conversation to come over here passing out hugs."

"Wes... It's been a long time since I've seen him in person. Nothing more, nothing less."

He studied her face for a sign that it was something more, and Laken held his gaze calmly, ignoring the wild beating of her heart.

When he found no obvious sign of the lie, Wes kissed her forehead, "He was looking at me weird—it threw me off."

"I know how it looked, but trust me when I tell you it's nothing there."

The second lie in just as many minutes.

• • •

Noah stood by the exit, watching Jared light a cigarette, "Why you ain't tell me she was engaged?"

"It wasn't shit to tell." He shrugged, "He cool, but my dad don't like 'em."

"I knew she was talking to somebody, but engaged?"

"Nigga rich too." Jared blew the smoke towards the air, "Like, generational shit— couple times over."

"The fuck that got to do with me?"

Jared laughed loudly, "I'm just letting you know. Fuckin' with him got Lake expectations high."

Noah wasn't concerned with that part, as he had always treated Laken well, "You think I got a chance?"

Jared let his eyes travel to the glass door where he saw Laken approaching, "I ain't saying you got a chance, but I ain't saying you don't. That hug was long as hell."

Time had been generous to her, too.

Her skin was deep brown and smooth, her dark hair falling past her shoulders in loose waves. She'd always been beautiful, but adulthood had softened nothing. If anything, it had settled her into herself.

Laken wore confidence differently than Noah did.

Quieter.

Which somehow made people look longer.

Once outside, Laken eyed the cigarette between her brother's fingers, "You told me earlier that you quit."

"A lie a day keeps you healthy. You want me to leave?"

"No." She blew out a breath, "I need a reason to be out here."

Noah laughed at that, looking at the now apparent diamond that occupied her left hand and wondering how he missed it, "I thought I was coming to a fuckin' party for your master's– Whole time it's an engagement party. I would've stayed my ass at home."

"Two birds, one stone. I figured your mom would've told you by now."

"Why you ain't tell me?"

Laken's gaze fell to the ground, "Honestly, I didn't wanna have the conversation."

"I've never met somebody about to get married and not want to have the conversation. That almost makes me feel like you really not tryna' get married."

"I said 'yes', didn't I?"

She hadn't posted about it on social media, and only people close to her knew, or those who saw the ring on her finger and thought to ask.

"Dude is who you want?" Noah questioned, lifting her chin, "I'm happy for you."

Laken snorted softly, "You're not, and that's fine 'cause I wouldn't be happy for you either."

"So you can't, or you won't?"

Silence hung in the air until she spoke again, "It wouldn't change the situation. I'd like us to stay friends, be in each other's lives, but the only way that would work is if you respect Wes and me as his fiancé."

Noah laughed– it wasn't a genuine one, "I'll never be your fuckin' friend."

"You left. Not me." Laken was growing irritated, "Was I supposed to wait til you felt like coming back?"

"You were supposed to come with me. You saying all this like I left you, when I damn near begged you to move with me."

Laken sighed, "Regardless. I loved you before I even understood what it meant. You have a place in my heart that nobody could dream of touching." She paused and smiled at him, "But I'm marrying Wes."

Noah didn't respond, looking instead at Jared on his second cigarette, not bothering to pretend he wasn't listening.

Taking her cue, Laken regained Noah's attention as she walked away.

• • •

Wesley dropped the final gift bag on the table, noting the generosity of the people who attended.

Most were addressed to Laken since he insisted her graduation take precedence over their engagement. Still, there was a fair amount intended for both of them.

"Do I want to even open these right now?" Laken fingered the tags of gifts closest to her, turning it over to glance at names.

Wes was doing the same, "No. We can look in the morning."

He meant that until he saw Noah's name scrawled across an envelope attached to a jewelry box. For a second, he considered leaving it there. Letting it get buried with the rest. Morning, like he said.

Instead, he handed it to Laken, pushing the box towards her, "Open this one tonight, though."

Laken didn't want to open it in front of him.

Swallowing roughly, she carefully pulled the bow apart, setting the card to the side, and opening the box.

Nestled in the case was, in every practical sense, a bracelet, though the word felt insufficient. Even in the dim kitchen light, it caught and held a gleam that seemed almost intentional, as if it knew exactly who was watching.

Next, Laken opened the card, seeing a simple 'congratulations'.

That boosted her confidence, "Is this going to be a problem?"

"What?"

"Mine and Noah's friendship."

Wesley chose his words carefully, "Only if you make it one. I said it earlier– I don't wanna argue about this, but you can't expect me not to feel something about it."

"Well, how do you feel?" Laken was trying her hardest not to dismiss him, as he was right in his assumptions. However, she had already done her part in telling Noah that nothing would happen between them.

"Like I don't want him to give you that type of gift."

"It's just jewelry, Wes. Do you want me to give it back?"

Wesley inhaled deeply, nudging the box closer to her, "Keep it. I won't tell you what to do."

Laken searched his face, like she wasn't sure if it was that simple, "Are you sure?"

"Yes. I trust you."

The words landed clean. No hesitation. No edge.

And for a moment, that made it easier.

"Okay," she said.

But she didn't put it on.

Not yet.

The bracelet sat between them, catching the light every time either of them moved—quiet, patient, and impossible to ignore.

• • •

Rain fell against the roof of the villa, an almost rhythmic sound that Laken tapped her fingers to against the bed.

As she watched the drops race down the sides of the window, she wished they had just arrived, instead of being near the end of their trip. Greece was beautiful– vibrant skies and endless stretches of clear, blue water.

Adjusting herself on Wesley's chest, she sighed in contentment. "Let's move here."

"You say that about every country we visit." Wes laughed through a yawn, "What's wrong with where we live now?"

"Life is too serious back home. I work all day, you work all day. This is just so nice. Peaceful."

He rolled over, pressing his body against hers, "Quit. Let me take care of you."

"That wouldn't solve your working," Laken teased.

Wesley's job was demanding, with rarely any true off days, even on trips like these. Emails still pinged, calls still came. Laken didn't mind entirely, but it was nice to escape the constant on-the-go lifestyle.

"You offering to take care of me?" Wesley asked, fingers trailing along her stomach, "I can be a trophy husband."

Broad-shouldered and just over six feet with deep bronze skin, Wes wouldn't have issues taking on that role. Laken admired the sharp curve of his jaw, running her hand along faint stubble, "Talk me into it."

He smirked, letting his hand drift lower, "I'll cook and clean for you."

Laken's legs shifted, allowing access, "You can't cook, and your cleaning is questionable. You gotta prove your worth."

"Right now?" Wes' breath caressed her ear.

Her chest rose and fell faster, her skin aware of him. His fingers traced patterns that made it impossible to think, only feel.

And that was enough.

• • •

The rain had finally stopped, leaving a fresh scent over the island as Laken and Wes sat on the deck.

Their table was positioned along the edge of the water, low lights flickering against white stone and glass. Waves lapped softly below, blending with quiet conversation and the occasional clink of silverware.

Laken leaned back in her chair, eyes tracing the horizon where the last of the sunlight melted into deep blue. "I don't think I've ever seen anything this pretty."

For a moment, her chest tightened, not from the view, but from a memory of someone else standing in the same light, laughing at her, teasing her just like the sun warmed her skin now.

She blinked, shaking it away.

Wes glanced up briefly, following her gaze before nodding. "Yeah, it's nice."

Her lips pressed together in a small smile. "Just nice?"

"After a while, all beaches look the same." He was distracted, dismissing a notification on his phone.

Laken let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "That's so insane to say out loud."

"What?" he grinned. "I'm just saying, I'm here for you. Not the water."

That landed better. She tilted her head, studying him for a second before reaching for her glass. "Smooth."

"I try."

The waiter came and went quietly, leaving behind drinks and the faint scent of citrus. For a moment, the only sound was the water below them.

Laken dragged her finger along the rim of her glass, eyes still fixed on the horizon.

She couldn't explain it—why this felt so different. Not just the place, but the way it settled in her chest. Like something she wanted to hold onto.

Like something she had felt before.

The thought came quick and uninvited. She pushed it away just as fast.

"You've been quiet tonight." Wes's voice pulled her back.

"I'm just taking it in," she said, straightening slightly. "Trying to remember everything before we leave."

"You'll be back," he said easily. "We can come next year. Or somewhere better."

Her brows pulled together. "Better than this?"

"There's always better," he shrugged. "Different spots—I'll take you wherever you want to go."

Laken smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's not really about that."

Wes leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "Then what is it about?"

She hesitated, searching for the word, coming up short.

"It's just..." Her gaze drifted back to the water. "Being somewhere that feels different from everything else."

Wes studied her for a moment, then nodded like he understood, even if he didn't fully. Reaching across the table, he took her hand, thumb brushing over her knuckles.

"Well," he said, "It's just me and you. You're not worried about those bad ass kids, I've been declining calls all night—I feel like it doesn't get better than this."

Laken looked down at their hands.

It should've felt like enough.

"Yeah," she said softly. "It doesn't."

But even as she said it, something in her chest felt unsettled.

Wesley went to swipe another notification, an apologetic look in his eyes as he looked at Laken, "I need to take this one. I'm sorry."

She gestured towards the end of the dock, "Go ahead."

His retreating form held her attention until she received an alert of her own, bold letters flashing across the screen, "BREAKING NEWS: RB Noah Walker traded."

Laken hesitated before clicking on the article, "The Washington Grizzlies have traded Noah Walker to the Carolina Leopards."

It hadn't occurred to her to ask Noah what he meant by moving back there, assuming he was only buying a house in the area for the offseason. It made sense at the time considering that his current team was on the other side of the map. Now, Laken realized he'd be just an hour and a half away from her.

She glanced up to see Wesley pacing, phone to his ear. She quickly took a screenshot of the article, sending it to Noah:

                                                                                                                                                     trying to get a free ring?

Her message had barely delivered before Laken received an incoming FaceTime call.

The connection was okay at best, but she still saw him sprawled across a table when she answered, "Hello?"

"I already have 2 rings." Noah responded, "But you knew that already since you keep up with my career and shit."

Laken giggled, glancing up again, "I don't. That shit was breaking news."

"It's hard being famous." Noah feigned a sigh, "Too much money, too many women— Life can't be this rough."

"Oh please."

Noah noticed her background for the first time, pulling the phone closer to get a better look, "Where you at?"

"Greece." Laken flipped the camera to show him the sunset, "Isn't it pretty?"

"Hell yeah. You know they say Greece got the best sunsets in the world?"

Laken's response stalled. She had been the one to tell him that years ago, lying in her backyard as the sun sank below the horizon.

She'd also told Wes, listing the order of the places that had arguably, the best sunsets.

That old memory surfaced, though Wes wasn't here to anchor her like before.

So, she allowed herself a brief moment to indulge. Thinking of them when they were younger, sneakier, naive— driven by hormones and hope.

A breeze picked up, fluttering the napkins at the table. She glanced toward Wes, who had turned towards her, mouthing a quick 'Sorry'. The warmth there was real, safe, but different.

"You been to Australia yet?" Noah asked, noticing how quiet she had gone.

"Yes." She brought her eyes back to the phone, "I've covered the whole list, actually."

"Mhm... with Wes?"

Laken reached for her glass, "Some alone. He doesn't really care for them."

She awaited a laugh, but Noah only shook his head, "Give 'em time. I didn't either before you."

"It's been three years," she said quickly, surprised at how fast the words slipped out.

Still, Noah didn't have much to say, "Sometimes shit takes a while to grow on you, Lake." Laken watched his trainer enter the camera, stretching his legs, "Just vibe."

Laken's reply was light. "Okay."

She hadn't expected Noah to be on Wes' side, yet there he was, advocating for him.

What she expected was for him to jump on the Wesley hate train, taking any chance to throw salt. And somehow, by him remaining neutral, that made everything feel more complicated.

Noah shifted, saying something to the trainer that she couldn't make out, "I'll call you back later, alright?"

"I'll call you when I'm back home."

A subtle way of saying she didn't want him to call her unannounced.

He read the room, smiling slightly, "Whenever you got time."

Laken had forgotten to monitor Wes' call, and he caught her off guard when he sat down.

Wes noticed the surprise on her face, "You good? I didn't expect it to take so long, but I saw you on the phone so...."

"I was talking to Noah—he got traded."

Nodding slowly, Wes reached for his fork, "I saw that. Closer to you, huh?"

"Not me. Closer to his parents."

"I'll take your word for it."

• • •