"We are going to the beach?" I half questioned once I saw the direction the car was headed in. Besides, wearing casual and all just makes all the more sense.

"Yep." He glanced at me once. Beach had always been my favourite and he remembered it.

"I can totally kiss you right now." I blurted out with an excited grin.

"Mmm sounds tempting. Should I pull the car over?" Though his voice was playful I didn't for a second doubt that he could actually do it.

"No. Drive." He chuckled at my instant answer.

…………………...

"No way!" I muttered once I looked in front, completely stopping in my steps. Bri and Ryan were there but the surprising part was that all our highschool friends were standing there in person.

"Happy Birthday, Brae!" They all shouted in unison.

"Oh my God! Thank you!" I felt like I could literally burst out of excitement. Quickly spinning around, my eyes found Evan's face. With his hands tucked away in his pockets, he stood there grinning at me.

"I can't believe this! You got everyone here."

"It's your birthday." I could literally melt at the smile that his face held. I kissed his cheek and felt his smile grow.

"Do I get a kiss too for dragging my ass down here?" On turning around I saw Ace puckering his lips playfully. I chuckled before hugging him. He was always the goofball and out of all of Evan's friends, he was the one I was closest to.

"It's been so long." I said looking at everyone there.

"Come on, the cake's waiting!" Bri shouted.

……………………

"Tell me you're thinking the same as me." I said as we danced to the music. Evan's eyes followed my line of vision and landed on Bri and Ryan.

"That they wanna kiss each other like there's no tomorrow? Yup." I heard Evan as I kept watching them staring at each other with a distance of some miles. I forced my eyes away from his face and focussed on Evan's face.

"How can they just not look through each other?" He shrugged at my question.

"Well Ryan thinks it's just a mere attraction that he feels towards Brielle but that's some real bullshit." I was quiet for a second before I chuckled at my own thoughts, earning a raised brow from Evan.

"My cupid mind just thought of bringing in some guy to make him jealous, you know the classic stunt." He thought it over before chuckling.

"Could be helpful, you never know." I hummed in response before I remembered something.

"You know you missed two people."

"Austin and Cora?" I nodded.

"Nah! Austin said he will be busy and Cora's grandmother is not doing well and she needs to take care of her. She said she is going to make it up to you." I shook my head, guilty for not knowing about her grandmother's condition.

"It's not her who needs to make it up. I haven't called her in a while and I am learning about her grandmother just now. I have been a terrible friend." I heard him sigh before he pushed my chin up with two of his fingers.

"You look tired." I lazily close and reopen my eyes.

"I'm tired, in a good way." He longingly stared at me which had my insides melting before.

"Go and get a drink." I smiled and nodded before pecking his lips lightly. I made my way back to where the cocktails were. Ryan was standing there, sipping on his drink.

"You're going to burn holes in her head." My voice kind of forced him to retract his gaze from Brielle.

"What?" He acted like he had no idea of what rubbish I was spitting.

"Oh, got it. We are playing pretend." He rolled his eyes at me.

"Seriously, Brae. There's nothing like that."

"Don't lie to me." I deadpanned.

"At least not on my birthday." He sighed before looking in front.

"Tell me what's holding you back. Are you scared that if you date my sister, I am going to get all murderous of you?" He shrugged giving me a 'maybe' look.

"You won't like it much, would you?" He looked at me weirdly as my grin stretched from ear to ear.

"Thank God! It's oddly satisfying hearing you actually confessing. And no, I don't mind." He raised a brow question clearly hinting at his disbelief.

"If it's really that important, I with all my heart give you my permission to date my stupid sister." I put my hand up in a dramatic gesture.

"Gee, thanks." I laughed but before we could go further with this conversation, we saw the space in front of us clearing away. Evan came and stood in the middle.

"Brae." He smiled sweetly at me, putting up one on my face as well.

"Now that I have everyone's eyes on me, I am not sure of what to say." He chuckled nervously before glancing over at me.

"Let me start over." I put the glass in my hand down.

"Brae, I love you. You have always been the most beautiful girl to me. You were my first everything….uhm...except if you mind leaving out the tiny innocent crush I had on Ms. Campbell, our English teacher." Everyone snickered at his words. I had heard this story many times from Ace while we dated in highschool. Evan would always turn the cutest shade of red.

"Last few years have been hard without you. I have always wanted to have a beautiful life with you. Last time things got jeopardized but not this time." Shit! This wasn't just a romantic speech for my birthday. My heart thumped as his hands slipped inside his pocket moments after which, he pulled out a small velvet box.

"Marry me, Brae." He was down on his knee, the gorgeous solitaire ring staring at me from inside the box while my thoughts were all over the place.

"What are you waiting for?" Bri nudged me with her elbow.

"Brae, this is when you say something?" I looked back at Evan who was hopefully staring right back.

"I-Are you sure?" I wanted this but I wasn't sure if this was the right time.

"More than ever." The look in his eyes matched up the determination in his words.

"Say yes!" Almost everyone yelled and hooted. Somewhere I saw the uncertainty in his eyes, the vulnerability that had me pained. I pushed aside all my doubts.

"Yes. Yes! I'll marry you." A large smile broke out on his face at my words. He put the ring around my finger before standing up and smashing his lips against mine. The cheering and clapping faded away as I focussed only on the present, on us.

"I love you." He whispered before hugging me and spinning me around.

"I love you too." I whispered once my toes touched the ground again.