A few days after everyone had collectively agreed that the second party should be smaller, quieter, and limited to close friends, that plan lasted exactly three days.

Late Friday afternoon, Scott walked into the kitchen holding a sheet of paper covered in notes. Sarah was organizing the final shopping list while Sunset had already opened a bag of chips before they had even started putting the groceries away.

— Alright. Before I forget... how many people confirmed?

Sunset raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely confused.

— Confirmed...

She frowned at her phone.

— Quite a few people.

She looked back at the screen, her confusion slowly turning into concern as she scrolled through the list.

Scott narrowed his eyes.

— Quite a few... how many, Sunset?

She kept scrolling.

Once.

Twice.

Then a third time.

The names didn't seem to end.

Her expression shifted little by little.

First confusion.

Then doubt.

Then quiet panic.

Scott noticed immediately.

— Sunset...

She bit her lip.

— So...

Sarah stopped organizing the groceries.

— What did you do?

— I...

Sunset checked the screen one more time before slowly turning the phone toward them.

— I think I sent the invitation to the wrong list.

Silence.

Scott took the phone from her hand.

He kept scrolling.

And scrolling.

And scrolling.

He took a slow breath.

— Sunset.

— Yeah...

— There are sixty people on this list.

— I know.

— We invited twenty.

— I know that too.

Jennie walked into the kitchen at that exact moment, casually eating an apple.

— Why does everyone look like someone died?

Scott held up the phone.

— Sunset invited the whole town again.

Jennie grabbed the phone, skimmed through the list, and immediately burst into laughter.

— Sunset... YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER!

She looked far more excited than concerned.

Sunset rubbed the back of her neck.

— I think I forgot to switch to the new list... or maybe I forgot to save it.

She lifted both hands dramatically.

— BUT I MADE THE NEW LIST! I KNOW I DID!

Sarah closed her eyes for a few long seconds.

Took a deep breath.

Then looked back at Sunset.

— I spent two days planning a small party.

— I know...

— I made a grocery list FOR TWENTY PEOPLE, SUNSET.

— I knoooooow.

— Food. Drinks. Chairs. I even reorganized the living room.

— If you're gonna hit me, just do it already. It'll hurt less.

She laughed at her own disaster, fully aware she deserved it.

Sarah started pacing around the kitchen.

— You invited sixty people! WHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO FIT SIXTY PEOPLE?

She threw both hands into the air.

— They're going to think this house is a mess. That we're completely unorganized. That we don't know how to host people!

Sunset slowly raised both hands in surrender while watching Sarah spiral into a full-blown organizational crisis.

She tried to keep a straight face and sighed.

— I really thought I was using the new list. I swear.

Jennie was laughing so hard she had to lean against the counter.

— The worst part is...

She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

— I completely believe you.

Scott rubbed a hand over his face.

— I believe you too.

He sighed.

— That's exactly the problem, Sunset.

Sarah let out an unwilling laugh.

She tried to stay serious, but gave up the moment Sunset made the guiltiest face imaginable.

She grabbed her purse and slipped in her keys, wallet, and phone, already calculating everything she'd need to buy to feed sixty people.

Without saying a word, Sunset stood up and moved to follow her.

Sarah looked at her and shook her head.

— I honestly don't know how you'd survive living on your own.

Sunset smiled with complete sincerity.

— Neither do I.

The entire kitchen burst into laughter.

Scott simply let out one last exhausted sigh before taking his phone back.

— Alright.

He slipped it into his pocket.

— If chaos is coming...

He shrugged.

— ...it might as well get here early.

The house started filling up long before the official start time.

Sarah wandered from one side of the room to the other, making sure everything remained exactly where it belonged. She straightened cushions no one but her would ever notice were crooked, adjusted glasses that were already perfectly aligned, and refolded napkins that clearly didn't need folding again.

Joshua walked past carrying a box of sodas and stopped for a moment, watching her slide one of the napkins less than half an inch to the left.

— If you straighten those napkins one more time, they're going to quit.

Sarah didn't even look up.

— The one on the left is three millimeters too far forward.

Joshua looked at the table.

Then looked again.

— You made that number up.

— I did.

She adjusted the napkin one last time.

— But now it actually is.

Joshua laughed.

— I love your brain.

— I hate it.

Laura walked in carrying a large tray of appetizers.

— She complains, but if anyone moves one of those napkins, she'll notice in five seconds.

Sarah answered automatically.

— Four.

Joshua and Laura laughed together.

It was completely instinctive.

Their eyes met at the exact same moment.

The laughter lingered for a heartbeat...

...before quietly fading.

Laura looked away first.

— Where do you want this?

Joshua took a second to answer.

For a brief moment, all he could think about was how much he missed laughing with her like that.

Without thinking.

Without wondering if he'd looked at her for too long.

Without feeling as though something as simple as sharing a joke might reveal everything neither of them could understand.

— Uh...

He pointed toward the counter.

— You can leave it there.

— Okay.

Laura stepped closer to set the tray down.

Joshua reached out to help her.

Their fingers touched.

It wasn't the kind of accidental touch either of them could simply ignore.

The sensation ran through both of them like electricity.

Laura immediately looked up.

Joshua was already looking at her.

Both of them froze.

For one brief second, neither remembered to pull away.

Joshua felt his heart race with absurd intensity over something so ridiculously small.

Laura held her breath, as though her body had recognized something before her mind had the chance to.

She was the first to come back to reality.

She pulled her hand away as if she'd actually been shocked, nearly dropping the tray in the process.

Joshua instinctively caught it before it hit the floor, but the feeling remained in his fingertips.

Laura lowered her eyes to the tray, pretending to check whether everything was still in place.

She let out a nervous little laugh, trying to play off what had just happened.

But...

What had that been?

No one had noticed.

And even if they had, nobody would have thought twice about two friends accidentally touching hands while carrying a tray.

Except Scott.

He had noticed.

From the other side of the room, he pretended to check whether there was still enough ice in the cooler.

He saw the touch.

He saw the way Joshua looked at her.

He saw how quickly Laura pulled away.

He saw the completely innocent tray nearly lose its life for no reason whatsoever.

He took a slow breath.

Yeah.

It happened.

He didn't say anything.

Not yet.

Joshua wasn't getting away with this for much longer.

Laura picked up an empty wooden board from the counter.

— I'll go finish the charcuterie board.

She disappeared like a whirlwind before Joshua even had time to nod.

— Alright.

She walked away without looking back.

Joshua waited until she disappeared through the dining room doorway before glancing down at his own hand, opening and closing his fingers as if trying to shake the feeling away.

He couldn't.

It felt as though every emotion he'd ever experienced as a teenager had suddenly come rushing back.

A few minutes later, Marcela walked in carrying two flower arrangements.

She greeted the guests who had already arrived before finding Sarah near the sliding glass doors.

— Sarah... where do you want these?

Sarah smiled immediately.

— Thank you. One on the patio table and the other next to the grill would be perfect.

Marcela nodded and headed outside.

Joshua crossed paths with her near the glass doors, carrying several bottles.

— Hey, Cela.

She smiled.

There was still a strange ache every time he called her that.

Little by little, though, the nickname had started to feel familiar again.

Comforting.

Marcela didn't know whether she should allow that comfort to become hope again...

...or how to stop it if she wanted to.

— Hey.

She looked around.

— Everything looks beautiful.

Joshua glanced around the backyard.

— That's Sarah's doing.

— And Sunset's?

He laughed.

— Sunset helped...

He grinned.

— She accidentally doubled Sarah's workload.

— And Sarah accepted the challenge anyway.

Marcela laughed.

— Well...

She looked around.

— Unlike the last party, which started out great...

This one already started as a disaster.

Hopefully it'll end better.

Joshua nodded.

— Rule number one...

He lifted his beer.

— Never say things can't get any worse.

They both laughed.

It was a simple conversation.

But Marcela felt something inside her loosen.

Joshua no longer seemed to weigh every word before speaking to her.

Maybe that meant something.

Maybe he really had forgiven her.

Maybe there was still a way back for them.

Laura watched the entire exchange through the dining room's glass doors overlooking the pool and barbecue area.

She noticed Joshua's smile.

The way he still called Marcela by her nickname.

How relaxed Marcela looked around him.

Laura smiled faintly.

There was sadness behind it.

She was happy they could talk again.

That was what she was supposed to want.

Marcela was her friend.

Joshua had loved her for years.

Any reasonable person would think seeing them reconnect was a good thing.

Even so...

Something tightened inside her chest.

Laura lowered her eyes to the charcuterie board she was arranging.

She absentmindedly adjusted a slice of cheese that had already been perfectly placed.

She tried convincing herself it was guilt.

Just guilt.

Nothing more.

She didn't believe that for even a second.

But she desperately wanted it to be true.

Maybe she was feeling something she'd never experienced before.

Maybe that was exactly why she couldn't recognize it.

Couldn't control it.

Couldn't explain it.

Truly falling for someone was something entirely new to her.

The unknown is always frightening.

And for the first time in her life...

Laura was afraid she wouldn't be able to walk away before it destroyed her.

Outside, Scott had already circled the pool at least ten times.

He never actually needed a reason.

He simply invented a different one every lap so he could stay close to the front gate.

He checked whether the speakers were still working.

Peeked inside the cooler to see if there was enough ice.

Moved a chair a couple of inches to the side...

Then casually wandered right back toward the gate.

Joshua had been watching him for quite a while.

He waited for Scott to make another lap.

— She's not going to get here any faster.

Scott kept walking.

— Who?

Joshua took a sip of his beer, unable to hide a smile.

— Megan.

He chuckled.

— I love how you think you can fool anyone.

Scott pretended to think about it.

He knew Joshua knew.

Joshua knew Scott knew.

Still, he committed to the bit.

— I wasn't even thinking about her.

Joshua nodded dramatically.

— Right.

— You've only been staring at the gate since six-thirty for security reasons.

Scott glanced at his watch.

— It's only been fifteen minutes.

Joshua burst out laughing.

— I love that you just confirmed the exact time.

Scott realized what he'd just done and rubbed the back of his neck.

— Alright...

Maybe I'm a little nervous.

It's been a long time since I've felt like this.

— A little?

— Fine.

Very.

Joshua smiled.

— I'm not even going to comment on emotional intensity.

He raised his beer toward Scott in a mock toast, silently acknowledging that, ironically, they were both dealing with exactly the same problem.

— I've been trying to ask her out for months.

— You've been trying for months without actually asking her.

— Exactly.

Joshua frowned.

— That made absolutely no sense.

Scott laughed.

— It made perfect sense in my head.

He shrugged.

— I still don't know how you managed to ask a different girl out every week.

Joshua took a much longer sip of his beer.

His eyes drifted toward the pool for a few quiet seconds before a humorless chuckle escaped him.

— I think that version of me is gone.

Scott raised an eyebrow.

— Already?

Joshua shrugged.

— Whenever I really like someone...

He smiled to himself.

— I become useless.

Scott turned to face him.

— Useless?

— Yeah.

I get distracted.

I miss their scent.

Everything reminds me of them.

Feels pretty useless to me.

Scott studied him for a few seconds.

— Damn.

Joshua smiled faintly.

— Yeah.

Scott took another sip of his beer and asked with the casualness of someone who had absolutely no idea he was about to crack the ground wide open.

— So...

Who are we talking about?

Joshua went silent.

He opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

The answer should've been Marcela.

It was Marcela.

It had always been Marcela.

Then why...

Why, the very moment Scott asked, did Joshua suddenly remember Laura's perfume from earlier that morning?

Why did he remember her head resting against his chest?

Her smile in the kitchen?

The feeling of her fingers brushing against his only minutes ago?

Joshua frowned, startled by the direction his own thoughts had taken.

Scott was still waiting.

— Josh?

Before he had to answer, the front door opened.

Scott looked over immediately.

Joshua followed his gaze and smiled to himself.

— Well...

She's here.

Scott took one slow, deep breath, as though that alone might calm his heart.

It didn't.

If anything, it only made him realize he'd never felt more alive.

Megan walked in alone, closing the front door behind her.

She looked beautiful, as always.

But something felt different that night.

Maybe it was her loose curls.

Maybe it was the outfit.

Or maybe he'd simply spent the entire week waiting to see her again.

She walked toward the backyard with an easy smile.

Scott had imagined this moment so many times that, when it finally happened, he completely forgot everything he'd planned to say.

He simply stood there.

Watching.

Megan slowed her pace when she noticed.

Her smile widened, amused.

— Are you going to keep staring at me, or are you going to say hi?

Scott blinked a couple of times.

— I...

He scratched the back of his neck.

— I forgot.

She laughed.

— Forgot what?

— How to talk.

He smiled sheepishly.

— I've always been terrified of beautiful women.

Megan laughed even harder.

The sound alone seemed to lift a weight off his shoulders.

Scott finally walked over to her.

— Hey, stranger.

She tilted her head, immediately recognizing the callback to their last conversation.

— Hey.

Scott glanced around dramatically.

— You didn't bring my best friend Dusty to enjoy the party?

Megan pretended to think about it.

— He said he already had plans.

Scott placed a hand over his chest, deeply offended.

— He chose another commitment over me?

— Apparently he couldn't cancel.

She smiled.

— But he told me to say hi.

— After everything we've been through together?

— He's a very busy dog.

— I played fetch with him for almost an hour.

Megan smiled.

— Maybe that's exactly why.

She laughed, remembering Dusty sleeping belly-up for hours after Scott left.

— You completely exhausted him.

Scott sighed dramatically.

— Ungrateful.

He shook his head.

— The only one who actually wins at throwing things is Josh.

He literally threw solid gold into a lake.

Can you believe that?

She laughed again.

Scott found himself watching her for a second too long, distracted by the way her eyes narrowed whenever she laughed.

Megan noticed.

She simply didn't mention it.

— So...

He smiled.

— Enjoying the chaos?

She looked over his shoulder at the crowded house.

Far more people than anyone would reasonably call a "small party."

— I'm still deciding.

— Fair enough.

He nodded.

— You got here too early.

The real chaos starts after Sunset tries to cook.

Megan blinked.

— She cooks?

— Technically.

He shrugged.

— And somehow... against all odds... it's actually really good.

At worst, she'll leave spices in the bathroom, store random things inside the oven, or spend two hours looking for something that's already in her hand.

They both laughed.

He had described Sunset perfectly.

— I don't know whether that was supposed to be a compliment...

She smiled.

— ...but it was incredibly adorable.

Scott grinned.

— It definitely wasn't.

I don't have life insurance.

Megan laughed again before looking back at him.

— At least this time nobody abandoned me halfway through the party.

Scott smiled immediately.

The tease landed exactly where she'd intended.

The two of them couldn't seem to stop smiling whenever they talked.

— I promised I'd make it up to you.

— You did.

— And I'm a man of my word.

She glanced around at the packed house.

— You also promised this would be a smaller party.

Scott looked around.

Then sighed.

— I don't control Sunset.

— Apparently nobody does.

She laughed.

— Not even Sunset herself.

I definitely need to become friends with her.

— That's the spirit.

Scott gestured toward the makeshift bar beside the pool.

— Come on.

I'll make you a drink.

Megan raised an eyebrow.

— You know how to make drinks?

Scott started walking beside her.

— Don't let my complete lack of experience shake your confidence in me.

She looked at him.

— That sentence did exactly the opposite.

Has nobody ever told you confidence is half the job?

Scott cleared his throat dramatically.

— Forget everything I just said.

He straightened his posture.

— Megan...

I'm the best bartender you'll ever meet.

She laughed.

— That's a little hard to believe after your first speech.

Scott burst into laughter.

— Relax.

He pointed at himself proudly.

— I'm the emotional leader of this house.

Megan stopped walking for a second.

— The emotional leader?

Scott nodded with complete seriousness.

— Exactly.

— Who decided that?

— Me.

She laughed.

— Of course it was you.

— Somebody had to take the position.

— And what exactly are your responsibilities?

Scott pretended to think while they reached the bar.

— Making drinks.

Throwing unnecessary parties.

Giving advice nobody asked for.

And pretending I have control over my friends whenever they're completely out of control.

— Do you actually have any control over them?

— None.

— Sounds like a pretty useless job.

Scott nodded proudly.

— It's mostly symbolic.

Megan leaned against the counter, smiling at him.

— I see.

Scott stepped behind the bottles and opened his arms dramatically.

— So...

As your emotional leader...

What would you like to drink?

— What do you recommend?

Scott looked at the bottles.

Then back at her.

— Do you trust me?

Megan held his gaze for a few quiet seconds.

— Should I?

Scott smiled before answering.

— I think that smile already answered my question.

He pointed at her triumphantly.

— Confidence.

Remember?

She laughed softly.

— Right...

How could I possibly doubt the emotional leader of the most chaotic house I've ever visited?

Scott grinned.

— That was a rhetorical question, obviously.

She crossed her arms.

— Oh?

And what's the strategy, Captain?

Scott leaned casually against the counter.

— I needed to evaluate your tolerance for bad decisions.

He looked into her eyes.

The conversation felt effortless.

Easy.

Comfortable.

How could talking to someone feel this natural?

How could she fit so perfectly into his sense of humor?

Megan tilted her head, curious.

— And?

Did I pass?

She gave him an exaggeratedly hopeful look before smiling again.

Scott grabbed a random bottle, mostly to buy himself a few extra seconds.

— Well...

According to my professional evaluation...

He smiled.

— You clearly enjoy making dangerous decisions.

She laughed.

— Dangerous?

Really?

Like what?

Scott didn't hesitate.

— Coming back to a party hosted by Sunset.

Megan laughed.

— Fair enough.

I don't think I have any arguments against that.

Their laughter blended together effortlessly.

The connection between them couldn't have been more obvious.

While Scott started gathering fruit, ice, and a few bottles, Megan quietly watched him.

It was funny.

Whenever he was doing something with his hands, he looked completely confident.

But the moment he had to talk...

...he stumbled over his own words.

Preparing a drink, though, seemed to come naturally.

— You sure you don't want any help?

she asked, genuinely curious.

— I've got everything under control.

Megan smiled.

— "Under control" worries me.

She laughed.

— That's the exact phrase people say right before everything goes horribly wrong in every movie I've ever seen.

She watched his hands for a moment before meeting his eyes again.

Scott grinned.

— That's because you've never tried my drinks, madam.

— Well...

She tilted her head dramatically.

— I didn't exactly check your Google reviews first.

She smiled.

— I swear it's not lack of interest.

It's just...

I happen to enjoy making risky decisions.

Remember?

Scott placed a hand over his chest in mock offense.

The dramatic gesture was fake.

The arrow she'd just shot straight into his heart wasn't.

— You offend me way too easily.

— So far...

She smiled.

— I'd give you five stars.

And I'll even leave a written review.

Scott smiled before he could stop himself.

— I like that side of you.

...

The words slipped out before he realized it.

His eyes immediately dropped back to the glass he was preparing.

Megan noticed too.

Her smile softened just a little.

Not because she felt uncomfortable.

Because she liked hearing it.

Still...

She pretended she hadn't.

She didn't want to ruin the moment.

— So...

She looked at the drink.

— Does it have a name?

Scott looked down at the glass.

— Not yet.

She blinked.

— What do you mean, "not yet"?

— I usually come up with the name after I taste it.

Megan laughed.

— That feels incredibly disrespectful toward the drink.

Scott shrugged.

— It works.

He looked at her.

— People usually don't decide their baby's name until they're expecting one, right?

She thought about it for a second.

— I mean...

Maybe I'd already have a few names in mind...

She smiled.

— But you're right.

Nine months is a pretty generous deadline for something that important.

She sighed dramatically.

— Once again...

The emotional leader has defeated me with logic.

Neither of them noticed how effortlessly the conversation had wandered from one subject to another.

Scott blinked.

Then laughed.

— Anyway...

He pointed at the glass.

— If this drink turns out good...

Its name is going to be...

Meganificent.

Megan burst into louder laughter.

— Scott...

I can't.

I'm sorry.

Scott pointed triumphantly at the glass.

— THAT'S AN AMAZING NAME!

— Absolutely.

She nodded with fake seriousness.

— The best one I've ever heard.

Scott laughed.

— I'll ask another highly respected expert in questionable drinks as soon as I find one.

— Fair enough.

She smiled.

— Every masterpiece deserves a second opinion.

Scott handed her the glass.

— Go ahead.

Megan lifted it first, smelling it before taking a careful sip.

Scott watched her like he was waiting for the results of the most important exam of his life.

She stayed silent.

On purpose.

Scott immediately grew nervous.

All that confidence disappeared astonishingly fast.

— Is it... terrible?

he asked, already sounding worried.

Megan kept the same serious expression, secretly enjoying the fact that he genuinely cared about what she thought.

— Megan...

He almost laughed nervously.

— Please.

Finally...

She looked up at him.

— It's really good.

Scott let out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding.

— You absolutely did that on purpose.

He laughed, completely relieved.

— I did.

She smiled back at him.

Looking straight into his eyes.

Completely amused.

— That was cruel to my poor heart.

— Just a little.

— I almost had a heart attack.

— Drama queen.

Scott pointed at her.

— No.

You took way too long to answer.

She took another sip.

— I thought emotional leaders were supposed to have self-control.

Scott nodded solemnly.

— The position is purely symbolic.

Remember?

She laughed again.

Scott discovered he genuinely liked that sound.

Far more than he probably should have.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the pool, Joshua found himself watching them without really meaning to.

Not because he was curious.

Because Scott seemed different.

Lighter.

More spontaneous.

Laura walked over carrying a tray of mini sandwiches and set it down on the table beside Joshua, who was quietly nursing a beer.

— What are you looking at?

she asked, trying, once again, to sound perfectly casual.

Joshua subtly nodded toward the other side of the yard.

— Scott.

She followed his gaze.

Megan was smiling.

Scott was enthusiastically waving his hands around as he talked.

The two of them laughed together as though they'd known each other for years.

Just like Joshua and Laura used to.

Laura smiled, quietly committing the image of Scott's happiness to memory.

— I think she likes him.

She kept watching them.

— It's so good seeing him happy.

Joshua nodded.

— I think so too.

The two of them remained silent for a few moments.

The tension that had settled between them over the past few days lingered quietly in the air.

Laura took a slow breath.

— Do you think he'll ever ask her to be his girlfriend?

She smiled to herself.

— Scott always likes to be completely sure... but somehow he never really is.

Joshua chuckled softly.

— Knowing Scott?

He let the suspense linger for a second.

Romantically, Scott had always been cautious.

He'd only ever had one serious relationship, and somehow that experience had made him both wiser... and even more careful.

Laura looked at him expectantly.

— Exactly knowing Scott.

Joshua smiled.

— He will.

— You're that sure?

— I am.

Laura looked back toward Scott.

Something about seeing him like that made her heart feel warm.

— How can you be so certain?

Joshua took another sip of his beer before answering.

— Because when someone loves him...

He smiled without taking his eyes off his brother.

— It's hard not to love them back.

Laura slowly turned toward him.

Joshua was still watching Scott.

He had no idea how much weight those words carried.

Laura smiled softly.

She had always admired how much love Joshua carried inside him.

For the few people he truly let in, he loved with everything he had.

He wasn't cold.

Just careful.

Reserved.

And anyone lucky enough to earn a place in his heart...

...was incredibly lucky.

— Does that apply to you too?

Joshua finally looked at her.

Completely caught off guard.

For a moment...

The music disappeared.

The party disappeared.

The voices around them disappeared.

Only her eyes remained.

He took much longer than he should have to answer.

A few months ago, he would've answered immediately.

Laura had always been gentle with her words.

Honest.

Transparent.

Talking to her had never made him nervous before.

Now...

He couldn't find a single word.

— I...

He smiled awkwardly.

— I don't know.

Laura held his gaze.

Then smiled.

— I think it does.

She gave him a playful little shove with her shoulder.

— You dork.

She tried to say it as naturally as possible.

Tried to be nothing more than Laura.

Joshua's best friend.

But over the past few days...

For both of them...

Even a simple "good morning" seemed charged with something impossible to ignore.

Being just Laura and Joshua was becoming harder every single day.

Joshua's heart pounded so violently it echoed inside his chest.

He realized he needed to answer her.

He wanted to.

Just as he finally opened his mouth—

— JOSH!

JOOOOOOOOOOOSH!

Scott's voice echoed across the backyard.

Both of them turned their heads at the exact same moment.

Then smiled at the exact same moment.

They would have recognized Scott's ridiculously enthusiastic call anywhere.

Anytime.

Joshua let out a slow breath, still smiling.

He owed Scott after what had happened at the last party.

And Laura understood that perfectly.

— What?

he called back, loud enough for Scott to hear.

Scott cupped his hands around his mouth.

— Get over here!

Joshua looked back at Laura.

The two of them exchanged the same awkward smile.

Maybe...

Neither of them was ready to hear what would've come next.

— I'll be right back.

Laura simply nodded.

— Okay.

She smiled gently.

— Then you have to tell me everything.

Joshua smiled.

He knew.

And so did she.

Laura wouldn't still be standing there when he came back.

Joshua walked toward the makeshift bar, still trying to understand why such a simple conversation had left his legs feeling strangely light... and his heart racing.

The moment he got closer, Scott immediately noticed the dazed look on his brother's face.

Trying to snap him out of it, he held out a glass.

— Try this.

Joshua accepted the glass and immediately took a sip.

Now that was confidence.

His eyes shifted from Scott...

...to the drink.

He considered it for a moment.

— It's good.

Scott grinned proudly.

— I knew it.

Confidence.

Joshua nodded thoughtfully.

— But it's sweet.

He glanced back at the glass.

— You know I usually drink my whiskey without even ice.

Scott laughed.

— And for you, putting sugar in coffee is practically a life sentence.

He nodded toward Megan.

— My very demanding customer approved it.

Joshua glanced toward Megan, offering her a warm smile before looking back at Scott.

— Ah...

He lifted the glass slightly.

— Then this drink wasn't made for me.

Scott nodded proudly.

— If you'd liked it too...

He pointed dramatically at the pitcher.

— I promised her I'd call it...

Meganificent.

Joshua burst into laughter.

— Scott...

He shook his head.

— That is unbelievably bad.

He had to pause for a second before continuing, still laughing.

— ...which somehow makes it absolutely perfect.

Scott started laughing too, finally realizing just how painfully cheesy Meganificent actually sounded.

Megan couldn't help laughing along with them.

Joshua gave Scott a light pat on the shoulder.

— It worked.

He raised his glass slightly.

— She officially has her own signature drink at Sunset's parties now.

Scott smiled proudly while pouring Megan another glass.

He had made an entire pitcher.

Enough for at least eight drinks.

If it had turned out badly...

...it would've been an incredible waste.

— So...

He looked at both of them.

— Is it officially approved?

Joshua and Megan answered at exactly the same time.

— It is.

— Meganificent!

The three of them looked at each other...

...and immediately burst into laughter.

Scott closed his eyes for a brief second.

Placed a dramatic hand over his chest.

— I'm honored.

Joshua took another sip.

— It really is good.

He paused before adding:

— And...

Congratulations.

Scott frowned.

— For what?

Joshua glanced toward Megan with a subtle smile before looking back at his brother.

— For the drink...

A brief pause.

Then he smiled.

— And for having excellent taste...

He nodded toward Megan.

— ...both in company and in terrible jokes.

Scott froze.

Slowly turned toward Megan.

She was already looking at him.

This time...

She didn't look away.

She was smiling.

She had finally realized that Scott wasn't the kind of man who did things like this for just any girl.

She'd judged him before she'd truly gotten to know him.

Giving him that chance...

Had been worth it.

She didn't answer Joshua.

She didn't need to.

The silence answered for her.

She quietly appreciated that Joshua had shared something so simple...

...yet so meaningful.

And for the first time that night...

Scott allowed himself to believe that maybe...

Just maybe...

Those months of anxious waiting hadn't been for nothing.