The conversation is light, just a little more wedding details being fleshed out. Soon everyone finishes their drinks and walks out the doors. Walking out of Raven's is like leaving behind an old era of unruly teenagers and this time coming out real ass adults who are planning a wedding, raising a kid, traveling the world, and saving to buy a car. Anthony says his goodbyes to Casey and Levi and then he turns to me. "How come it takes a wedding for you to come down and visit?" he asks. Off to the side I hear Casey strike up another conversation with Dylan about the honeymoon. "I know," I tell him. "I promise I'll visit more, especially after the wedding." "What time are you leaving tomorrow?" "Probably in the afternoon. I want to stop by your place though. I bought a birthday present for Olivia." "Hell yeah," he nods. "You know Olivia will love to see you," he says, shoving his hands in his pockets. My attention turns to Dylan for a second and I see him explaining something to Casey. "Is he going to be there?" I ask quietly. He shrugs. "He's staying at my place, but I'm not sure when he's leaving. He didn't say." Part of me feels like he's lying. "Anthony…" His face changes and he turns slightly so he's facing away from Dylan. "Sorry, Lace. I just thought it would be nice to get the band back together, you know?" "It's fine. Just caught me off guard." Like extremely off guard, but I can't stay mad at Anthony. "Lace, are you ready?" Casey asks me as she hugs Levi's arm. Anthony and I look at each other before he wraps his arms around me for a hug. "Just text me when you're on your way tomorrow," he tells me. I nod. "Yeah, definitely." Dylan appears by Anthony's side and he glances over me, making me feel exposed, yet confident. "Can we talk?" Dylan asks. My heart rate shoots up and I feel everyone's eyes on us. "Um, sure." Anthony dips away and joins Casey and Levi. Dylan and I step closer to the building and a memory from high school is immediately brought up. We're almost at the spot where we made out on my eighteenth birthday. I try to push that thought out. "What's up?" I ask him as casually as possible. "I'm just going to address the huge ass elephant in the room," he starts. "I had no idea you were in town and I don't want you to think this is some elaborate scheme to see you again. I don't want things to be awkward between us because they never were in high school." Hearing him talk like this reminds me of how grown up we are. Dylan was always straightforward, but there's a certain professionalism to him now. "It's okay, really." I look down at my feet. He's right. We shouldn't have to be awkward around each other and I want to be honest about this whole thing. "It's my fault for being awkward. It is kind of weird to not see someone for a long time, then suddenly we're thrown into this together." "If it's too weird, I can tell them I can't be a groomsman," he says quickly. I don't know if he really doesn't want to do it, or he's doing it for the sake of me. "I think we've faced situations weirder than this together," I give him a small smile. He returns the smile. "You're right." In the corner of my eye I see Casey watching us. "I should probably get going." "You're coming over to Anthony's tomorrow?" he asks. I quickly nod. "I want to see Olivia before I go." "I'll see you tomorrow then," he says, giving me that same face I always hated because I never knew what he was thinking and I still don't. Suddenly it's like breathing a fresh breath of air. Even as I walk to the car I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Maybe this will be good for us. We got to spend years apart and now we're here for Casey's wedding and nothing will be awkward or weird. When I'm leaving Casey's she gives me a long hug and tells me to text her when I'm leaving for Greenwell. I feel like there's a hidden message in her words. She knows I'm going to see Anthony and Dylan tomorrow and she probably wants to hear if anything interesting happens while I'm with them. ~ As James is putting my things in my car, my aunt Jade hugs me tightly. "Well, I guess we'll see you soon," she laughs. I told her how soon Casey's wedding is and she had the same reaction I did. I failed to mention Dylan, but now I feel like I should. "I'm going to stop by Anthony's house and see Olivia." "Oh, good," she nods. "And, uh, Dylan will be there." She tilts her head. "Dylan? As in, Dylan from high school?" I nod slowly. "The very one. He's going to be a groomsman." "Oh boy," she breathes out. "You sure you'll be okay?" "We talked about it last night and I think everything will be fine. It's been years anyway," I wave it off. James comes up to us. "Everything is loaded." I do another round of goodbyes with them, giving Penelope the biggest hug before I'm in my car and on my way to Anthony's house. I tug at my seatbelt and I try to get comfortable. No need to be awkward. Anthony's apartments aren't too far from where my aunt's was in high school. I quickly find his building and park. It's going to be a quick visit and then I'll be on my way home.