"All right, Grams," I tread down the stairs carefully in my sandals, "I'm about to head out. Are you sure you don't need anything?"

Part of me hopes she does, that she'll think of some last minute item on her agenda and tell me I can't go to the cookout today. Ridiculous butterflies swarm my belly and I'm not sure if they're because I'll be seeing Luke momentarily or if they're because I'll be seeing his family shortly, too.

With the exception of Laura, I haven't seen them since Casey's funeral. If her reaction is any indication about how his parents feel about me, today has the potential to be pretty miserable.

Part of me is dying to get out of this, wishing I never said yes in the first place.

"I've told you a hundred times," Grams shuffles from the kitchen, a mug of tea in her shaky hands, "I'm fine. I'll be watching my programs. Now go, have a good time."

And then there's the part of me that bites back a smile as I hear Luke's truck pulling into the gravel driveway. My heartbeat races as I twirl slowly for Grams, looking for one more round of approval before I see him.

"Fine, I'll go." I mutter, holding my arms out to the side, "But first, how do I look?"

I'd settled on a white sundress over a black one-piece swim suit. Something quick to throw back on if things go poorly and I have to make a quick escape.

"Beautiful as always." Grams squeezes my fingers gently as she makes her way to the sofa. "You look lovely in that dress."

"Oh, this old thing?" I tease, raising a brow just as a loud knock bangs on the door.

My breath catches as I look to Grams, childlike excitement rushing through me despite the guilt just below the surface, threatening to spill over.

"You're sure?" I ask again.

"Oh, for God's sake, Dylan Grace, don't keep the boy waiting." But her smile is warm.

With a breath, I reach for the door only for it to swing open just before my hand touches it. And then I'm eye-level with Luke's lean chest, almost running into him.

I look up, catching his pretty eyes. "What's the point of knocking if you'll just let yourself in, anyways?"

He smirks, one dimple deepening cheekily. But he ignores the question, letting out a low whistle from the corner of his lips.

"My, my, Miss Dylan," His eyes fall from my gaze to my mouth, lingering for a moment before finishing his sweep of my body, and then meet mine again.

"Doesn't she look nice?" Grams coos, "The sun has always agreed with her."

"I'd say so," Luke murmurs, an innocent enough smile on his face for her benefit. "Very, very nice."

His eyes tell me that is definitely not how he'd describe it. Not even close.

My cheeks get hot. "Okay, both of you." I grab Luke's arm, tugging him through the door before I lose my nerve, and  call over my shoulder, "I'll call if I'll be late."

"Actually, June," Luke halts, stopping me with him, "I do plan on keeping Dylan late tonight, if that is alright with you?"

The stupid butterflies again. The tingling across my skin as Luke slips his hand into mine, waiting for Grams reply. His hand is familiar and calloused and warm. It makes my heart race.

"Mhm." Grams murmurs, already focused on her afternoon shows, "You two have fun."

"Miss Dylan, Miss Dylan!" Finn's little voice greets me before I'm even fully out of Luke's truck. Cars line the Henson's street, but Luke's spot in the driveway, right beside the old camper van, has been left open for him.

Finn's body soon follows his excited shouts, the fair skin of his torso gleaming under the sun, bright, yellow floating devices hugging his arms as he throws himself around my legs.

"Hi, Finn," I kneel to give him a proper embrace, gravel sticking to my knees.

"I don't see that same excitement for Uncle Luke, bud." Luke pretends to pout, crossing his toned arms over his chest, but Finn only giggles.

"Nice floaties," I touch one as I stand, "Where can I get some of those?"

Finn tips his head back, laughing as he takes one of my hands and one of Luke's, dragging us toward the backyard, where everyone else is gathered.

"You can't, you're too big." Finn explains matter-of-factly, "But I need them so I can go swimming."

Luke rolls his eyes, expression pinching, "The kid lives by the ocean and can't swim."

Before I can speak, Finn quips, "Yep. But Daddy is going to teach me. He says really soon."

"Why don't you let me teach you, buddy, like we talked about? We could do it today, then you wouldn't need those floaties. Maybe Miss Dylan could use them then." Luke's voice is softer now, but I still hear his irritation.

He doesn't like Finn's dad, and I can't blame him, but he only just barely hides it.

"Nope. I want Daddy to teach me."

Luke opens his mouth to argue, but I squeeze his hand, stopping the words. We can hear voices now, splashing from the pool, smell barbecue in the air. Now isn't the time to get Finn upset.

As we turn the corner, faces come into view. I recognize them somewhat - a number of adult faces of the older kids Laura used to hang out with. All grown up now, the men and women huddle around a few pool chairs, just like they used to when we were younger, not raising their heads as Luke approaches.

I don't remember their names, but I don't intend on relearning them now. Not when Laura's sights have locked on me, her lips turning down as soon as I turned the corner.

Looking away quickly, I notice that some of her friends have kids now, too. There's a girl, about Finn's age, with blonde curls and slightly sunburned skin, and two younger boys, splashing at each other and blowing water through pool noodles.

Only the younger boys wear floaties as they play in the shallow end of the swimming pool. I think Luke notices too, his jaw tensing as he sends Finn away to them, reminding him to be careful.

As Finn leaves us, giving me one last hug, I feel Laura's glare on me. Looking up in time, I smile and offer a small wave. She doesn't return the gesture, but stares a moment longer before finally turning to a friend.

If Luke notices, he says nothing about it. So I don't, either. But my temper stirs.

What did I ever to do her?

"Everyone else will get here soon, but I couldn't help myself, wanted you here early." Luke grins down at me, and his boyish expression bringing me right back to my teenage crush, the excited skipping of my heart along with it. "My mom is excited to see you."

And again, my mood falters. "Why?" Is all I can manage.

"Why?" Luke laughs, grabbing a baseball cap from the outdoor dining table and placing it backwards on his head. A dark lock of his hair sticks out from beneath it, hitting him just above the eyebrow, and my hand naturally moves to brush it from his face. He catches my hand, kissing my palm gently. "Because she hasn't seen you since... Well, it's been a long time. She wants to catch up."

"Oh," I say lamely, thinking of the looks Mom gives Luke when she sees him, of the things she's said about him when he's not around. And when he is.

I wonder how Luke's mother feels about his ex. I wonder if she knows the cruel things I've said to Luke, if he's told her.

Plastering as positive of an expression as I can on my face, I lean into Luke's shoulder before gesturing towards the house.

"Well we shouldn't keep her waiting, then."

hi loves - I hope you all had a wonderful and safe holiday season ❤️ this chapter took a little - I had to write and rewrite it, break it up into different parts, and change it all up a few different times, but thank you for bearing with me!
predictions for Dylan's talk with Luke's parents?
for the rest of the cookout?
you guys know me and how I like to drama-up social gatherings...
remember to vote if ya liked it + to make my day!