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"I miss you."

The moment those words came out of his mouth, I was rooted in place. As if that hadn't already happened, I felt even more frozen. I couldn't move an inch, my heart started picking up its pace and I may or may not have held my breath. I couldn't even bring myself to tear my gaze from him. I didn't know what to say.

I missed him too, of course, I did, but I couldn't tell him that. I was more than well aware that I was being immature about this but I have my reasons. It's just too fucking hard to find it within myself to trust him again and let him back in.

What's going to happen if I do? He'll slowly find his way back into my life and then we'll end up throwing each other out all over again. He'll throw me out again, he'll forget me when we're back in New York.

Adam's life is not what it used to be in California before we went our separate ways. Just because I didn't keep up with his life doesn't mean I had no idea what it had become. Adam has eyes on him all the time, millions of them. Cameras follow him everywhere he goes, he has fans stopping him and asking for a picture, people trying to run down into the field after one of his games.

When Remy told me that he may or may not be here for this trip, I figured I should know a bit about where he's been. I didn't want to know but it would be worse if I didn't and then had to hear his stories firsthand from the people around me.

I know where he is today in his life and I don't fit into that picture anymore because he's not Adam anymore. He's Adam Blackwell, the infamous quarterback of the NFL. He's part of The Falcons and his life has been a rollercoaster since he stepped into the limelight. He played smoothly from his last year of college up until the last season when he ripped his Achilles' tendon and had to sit out the rest of the season. Now, whenever the next season starts- I don't even know when that is, I'm not a football fan- he'll be back on the field. But even with an injury keeping him off the field, the public didn't spare him. He faced plenty of scandals, rumored girlfriends, very real one-night stands and so much more.

Of course, I googled him. How could I not when I realized we might meet in Marbella?

"Emilia," he said softly, bringing me out of my thoughts. "I miss you," he repeated.

I shook my head softly, taking a small step back.

I'm not ready for this, I can't do this right now.

"But I don't miss you." The lie was out before I could stop it.

"I don't believe that," he replied, so confident in his words. "I know you, Emilia. I can see it on your face."

"You're so full of yourself, Adam," I scoffed. "You act like my life can't go on without you in it."

"That's not what I'm saying."

"Then what? What makes you think I miss you so much?"

"It wouldn't hurt you so much every time you looked at me if I didn't still matter to you, if you didn't miss me. That's what makes me think you miss me. You don't? Really?"

I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes, releasing a breath. "I think we should get downstairs. Everybody is probably already there."

He dropped the subject but not before saying, "You're still very good at avoiding things."

I ignored him. "Take the keys," I demanded before turning to the door and heading out.

He fell into step behind me and we started making our way to the restaurant. As we stepped into the elevator and the doors closed, he taunted me. "You can't run from me, Emilia."

"How many times are you going to remind me of that, Adam? I know that. But that doesn't mean I can't keep trying." I glanced at him.

"You're running from me even though that's not what you truly want."

"Maybe you don't actually know what I want. You don't know me at all anymore, Adam. You've been out of the picture for five years. Maybe I'm not the Emmy you remember."

"You are. You're just not acting like it because I hurt you. And that's fair. But you're still the Emmy I remember." The elevator dinged open and he stepped out, muttering, "You're still my Emmy."

I couldn't move for a second, then I realized I had to get off this elevator. I stared at his back as he led the way and I trailed behind him, his words echoing in my head.

You're still my Emmy.

Am I really? It doesn't matter. Because even if I am, he's not my Adam anymore.

We entered the restaurant and sat across from each other because, to be honest, I know neither one of us could bear to sit side by side for dinner too since now, we'd be sleeping side by side. I sat between Remy and Emma but I was surprised to see that most people weren't here yet.

"Why's everybody takin' so long to get ready tonight?" Adam's grandpa asked.

"If they're takin' so long to get ready tonight, imagine how long they'll take to get ready tomorrow. It's the big engagement night," Nana snickered.

"Everybody can't get ready so quickly and still manage to look as pretty as you, Nana," Remy shrugged, bringing a grin to Nana's face.

I glanced at her and noticed her fidgeting with her bare left ring finger. "Remy," I whispered.

She turned to me, humming.

"Where's your ring?" I asked.

"Oh, I took it off. We put the rings in their boxes for tomorrow night. It just feels weird, I was already used to wearing it," she chuckled, "now my finger feels bare."

"Have you guys bought the wedding rings yet?"

She shook her head. "After I buy the wedding dress, Aspen and I will go buy them separately. Without anybody interfering, you know."

I nodded.

"Are we late?"

I looked up, my eyes growing wide as I spotted Stephen standing beside aunt Janice. And right there with him stood his nephew, Brett.

"Stephen," Dad chuckled, getting up to greet him. "We all thought you were flying in tomorrow."

"I lied," aunt Janice shrugged. "I wanted it to be a bit of a surprise."

"Who's that?" Emma and Remy asked me in sync, glancing at Brett.

"He's Stephen's nephew." I turned to Remy. "Don't you remember meeting him?"

She shook her head.

"He was the one who threw the basketball at you in our front yard," I whispered to Remy.

"Oh," she gasped softly. "The guy that's one year older than you but acted like he was so mature?"

"He was eleven back then, Remy, come on."

"He's kind of cute," Emma mumbled.

Both Remy and I looked at each other, then at Emma. "Isn't he too old for ya?" Remy snickered.

"Aren't you too young for him?" I asked simultaneously.

"Oh yeah," she nodded, "it's illegal. But he's still kind of cute."

I glanced back over at Brett. He looked the same, just a little bit older. He still had the dirty blond curly hair, the brown eyes, which was rare on a natural blond. Brett had a very memorable face. High cheekbones, brown eyes, blond hair, and a chin dimple. I thought he was very cute when I first met him.

Adam didn't agree because Adam never liked him.

The last time aunt Janice visited us, she brought Stephen with her so we could meet him for the first time. And he brought his nephew along who was staying with him for the holidays. We all liked Stephen but Remy and Adam did not like Brett.

"Is Brett going to join us?" Dad asked, smiling at him.

"Yeah. I figured if uncle Stephen was coming, I'd tag along. Plus it's Remy's wedding and it's been a while since I've seen you all. I booked a hotel nearby for myself, I heard this one was full."

"That's great, that's great," Dad nodded and then turned to us. "I'm sure you remember some of these people." He reintroduced Brett to some of the adults. "And then of course there's Aspen."

"Ah, yes. Your son-in-law to be."

"Hey man," Aspen nodded.

"Hey," Brett nodded back.

"There's Remy, my older daughter. This is Adam, by the way. Not sure if you remember him, you were both pretty young last time you met."

Adam didn't even bother turning in his seat to look at him.

Dad gestured towards me. "And that's—"

"Emilia," Brett finished for him, his eyes meeting mine. My eyebrows lifted up as I pulled on a smile, sending him a small wave. He nodded softly, "I remember you."

I chuckled awkwardly, feeling everybody's stare. "I'm glad you do."

"This is Emma and Ava, the twins of our family."

"Emma thinks you're cute, by the way," Ava said nonchalantly.

Emma sighed, looking over her chair at the dark beach.

Brett chuckled as everybody settled in their own seats. "I would think Emma is adorable... If she'd be kind enough to move over a seat and let me sit with her cousin."

I glanced at Remy who shot me a pointed look. She leaned over, whispering, "I don't like him but he is cute. He clearly likes you though."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring her, and grabbed the menu for myself, looking through it. I took a peek at Emma who was thinking about it.

She glanced at Brett, then at me, and then her eyes settled on Adam who was also looking at her, waiting to see what she'd say. Emma cleared her throat and linked her arm with mine. "I think I love my cousin too much to do that. Sorry, Brett. You can sit with her next time if you beat me to it." Everybody seemed a little surprised to hear Emma speak that way to someone. Between her and Ava, she's normally the quiet one who's too polite for her own good.

Brett smiled in amusement and then nodded. "Then I'll remember to beat you to it next time."

"Is that a promise or a threat?" Remy asked, adding fuel to the fire.

"Both," Brett answered, taking a seat at the far end of the table.

Remy nudged my elbow with hers. "He is very cute. Just your type, don't you think?"

I took in a breath, glancing at Brett who was already chatting up to our uncle Ben.

While looking back at Remy, my eyes met Adam's. He seemed a little angrier than he was in the elevator, for whatever reason. I don't care as long as he doesn't find a way to blame me.

"Maybe," I mumbled, facing Remy. "We'll see."

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