By the time we got back downstairs, the party was already in full swing. Music so loud you could barely hear yourself think. Tables covered with empty glasses that were filled just as quickly as they could be drank. It was like we were all searching for a reason to celebrate.

It didn't take long for Jake's "too cool" exterior to be torn down enough to find him in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by the rest of his family. It was always like pulling teeth trying to get him to have fun like this, but for some reason tonight was just.. different.

I made sure to memorize every second.

I hung back at the bar, watching admiringly as he danced so freely, his loud laughter bellowing across the room. Nothing made me happier than his happiness, and I had no idea what was going to happen to mine once he was gone.

I was terrified to find out.

"How'd you do it?" I heard from next to me as Sam stumbled over. I reached out, trying my best to hold him up as he flashed me a toothy grin.

"Do what?" I asked. He wrapped his arm around me, looking back out at the dance floor as Jake grabbed his mom's hand, spinning her around. I couldn't help but smile.

"Whatever you did, to make him.. like this. I've never seen him like this." I shrugged, feeling my face get hot.

"I don't know." I sighed. "But.. he did it to me too."

"You know, we always thought it was going to be you and Josh." My stomach dropped as I looked over towards the tables, now seeing Josh sitting alone with Katie. She was never one for much attention, which made sad, knowing just how much Josh loved to dance, but he was too nice to leave her alone.

"Yeah.." I sighed, watching them as they talked amongst each other. I could tell his fake smile anywhere, which partly I was thankful for but.. he deserved to be happy too, and If I couldn't give it to him..

"So, what took you guys so long?" Sam asked. I snapped out of it, bringing my attention back to him.

"W-what do you mean?"

"I mean.. you and Jake?" I shrugged, looking back out at the dance floor. He spun around, his eyes finally meeting mine as he waved me over. I took a big sip of my drink, rushing out to him, jumping into his arms. He held me close, spinning me around as his hands slowly moved up to my neck, pulling me into a passionate kiss.

It all felt like a dream.

And what I would give to live within this enchanted dream world with him forever.

"What's gotten into you?" I yelled, a giddy smile escaping my lips. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me up against him. I held on tight, trying my hardest to memorize just how safe I felt within his arms, never once feeling more loved than I did right now. If I didn't know any better, I would think this was our wedding. I always tried not to get ahead of myself, but by now I had lost track of just how much I had to drink, and the room spinning only added to how effortlessly we glided together across the dance floor.

All I knew was that I was happy.

"What do you mean?" He laughed, taking my hand, and spinning me around, holding me close as we continued to dance. I decided to leave it alone, just appreciating this version of him as long as I could before the alcohol wore off and he suddenly became too cool to be so openly joyous like this again.

The hours flew by like minutes, the guests slowly venturing off amongst each other as the music began to slow down. Looking back over, I could see that Josh and Katie had barely left their table the entire night. Jake noticed as I became more distracted.

"Go ahead." He sighed, giving me a gentle smile. I felt my cheeks burn, bringing my attention back to him.

"What?" I asked. He motioned over to Josh.

"It's okay. One dance, but then.. you're mine."

"Jake, I don't-"

"It's okay. I promise." He sighed. "I was gonna go outside for a minute anyway, and.. he deserves to have fun too." I bit down on my lip, peeking back over at him to see him already looking back.

"Don't think I haven't noticed him watching you too." He giggled. "But.. all that matters is you end the night with me." I nodded, pulling him into a long kiss before making my way over to Josh's table.

"Hey.." I managed, grabbing one of the chairs to hold myself up, trying my hardest to hide the fact that I was catching my breath. Josh's eyes instantly lit up as he turned to me, flashing me a wide grin.

"Well, you look like you're having fun." He said cheerfully. I couldn't help but smile, feeling my cheeks burn.

"Y-yeah, um.. you.. you guys don't want to dance?" Katie shook her head, her eyes jumping back and forth between us, instantly noticing Josh's change in demeanor when I came over.

You would be blind not to see it.

I looked over at Josh, giving him questioning eyes as I motioned out towards the dance floor. He peeked over, most likely searching for Jake before finally getting up.

"Katie, I'll.. I'll be right back." He said simply, reaching out for me.

"Oh, o-okay.. um.. then I'm.. I'm gonna go to the bathroom." She said, avoiding my eyes as she grabbed her bag, quickly heading out into the hallway. Part of me felt guilty, but.. it was just one dance.

Pulling him out onto the dance floor, he didn't hesitate to pull me in close as I draped my arms around his neck.

"Are you having fun?" I asked as we slowly started swaying. He shrugged, giving me a subtle smile.

"I am now." I felt my cheeks burn, trying to contain my smile.

"Katie is sweet." I said. He nodded, staying quiet.

"Where's Jake?"

"He's outside."

"And.. how would he feel about-"

"He said it was okay." I muttered. He scoffed, playfully rolling his eyes.

"Oh, good. As long as it's okay with him." He said, now avoiding my eyes. I felt my stomach drop.

"Josh.." He looked back over at me, his face now dropping.

"How did we get here, Jaime? I just don't-"

"Please don't do this. I just.. I wanted one night before.." He stopped, holding his stare on me for a moment.

"I just.. I think we need to talk about it."

"I can't help how I feel."

"Well, neither can I, Jaime, but.. it seems like.. I'm the only one hurting. I love you, I'm always going to love you and yet-"

"I love him." I sighed, avoiding his eyes again. He was quiet.

"I remember when you said that about me."

"I'm always going to care about you, Josh, you were-"

"Yeah, I was always there for you, Jaime. Not him. So how-"

"Because it's always been him." I admitted, feeling my heart beating faster.

"You.. you said.. it was always me."

"I know, and I'm sorry, but-"

"It doesn't matter what I do, does it? I.. I can't just.. wait around for you."

"And I would never ask you to do that." He held his stare on me, his jaw clenching.

"Josh, we've.. we've both been drinking, can we just.. talk about this some other time, I.. I don't want to fight with you, I.. I do love you, it's just.." I stopped, knowing there was no good way to say this. He nodded, pulling away from me.

"You just don't love me enough."

"No, it's just.. different. I'm.. I'm sorry."

"It's fine." He sighed. "Have a good night, Jaime. You deserve it." He went back over to his table, grabbing his jacket and tossing it over his shoulder before making his way out towards the bathrooms.

I couldn't bring myself to move, now feeling tears come to my eyes. The last thing I ever wanted to do was fight with him, and now it felt like there was a hole in my chest that no one but he could fill, knowing that I could never be completely happy if I didn't have my best friend, despite just how well things were going with Jake. I did still love him, and I didn't want to lose him completely, but.. I wasn't willing to lose Jake over it.

I quickly made my way outside, plopping down on one of the benches that overlooked the water out back. Tonight was supposed to be perfect, so how could Josh manage to ruin it in a matter of minutes? All I wanted was one good night before everything changed, and there was no way I could handle him leaving when things were like this between us.

"You come looking for me?" Jake said cheerfully, making his way over to me. I quickly wiped my eyes, not wanting him to think anything of it. But he noticed immediately.

"Jaime, what's wrong?" He asked, now sitting down next to me. I sighed, keeping my eyes out at the water, fixated on how the moon's reflection seemed to effortlessly dance upon the gentle rippling of the dark waves.

"I just.. wanted everything to be perfect." I mumbled.

"And.. why can't it be? What happened?" I shook my head, avoiding his eyes. He then reached out for me, grabbing my hand and helping me back up, pulling me up against him before I could say anything. This was one of those moments I was so thankful that he was such a happy drunk.

"Well, until you figure it out.. you promised me a dance." He said, spinning me around. I couldn't help but laugh, playing along as he held me close and started to sway.

"You've had all of my dances." I giggled, wiping my eyes again. His smile grew.

"All I want are all of your dances for the rest of my life, Jaime." My heart jumped, more tears coming to my eyes, but this time for a different reason.

"They're all yours." I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder, letting us get lost within the muffled sound of the music from inside.

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"I love this song." I sighed, nuzzling my face into his neck as he held me closer.

"Then this can be our song now."

And for those few minutes, I felt the hole in my chest slowly fill itself up with the love I thought I would be missing, but soon realized that Jake was just as capable of giving me the friendship I craved, along with the love I always knew was there.

I reached up, gently holding his face in my hands. He stared back at me the way every girl dreams of being stared at, and in that moment I knew.. no matter what happened between Josh and I, I would be okay, as long as I had him.

He then leaned in close, his breath on my neck making my heart pound.

"You wanna head upstairs?" He asked. I didn't have to think twice.

"Yes."