"Aw, come on Franks, you don't need that loser in your life anyway."

"That 'loser' is your best friend."

"How does that saying go? Sisters before misters?"

Frankie snorted through her tears but it was enough to quell the waterworks for now.

"Well, considering the fact that you're using it quite literally, I'll give you a pass," she giggled.

"You know what will cheer you up even more?"

"What?"

"Dance with me."

"What?"

"You heard me. Let's dance."

"We haven't danced since we were kids back when we would combine the steps from my tap and your hip hop."

"All the more reason to give it a whirl!"

Miles tugged Frankie in the opposite direction of scowling Winston and led her to the clearing on the beach where people were already staying to couple up, which included Tristan and Zoë. Miles accidentally on purpose stood close enough to Tristan for them to bump into each other and relished the shock waves coursing through his body before pouring all of his attention to his sister.

The more they swung around in circles, the happier Frankie seemed to be as the traces of sadness slowly faded away. Before long the twinkle in her eyes returned and Miles was satisfied with a job well done.

"It's gonna be weird not having a boyfriend anymore…"

"You know, now would be a great time to make up with some old friends. You could use some girls in your corner."

"Like your girlfriend?"

"Number one, she was never my girlfriend. It was a fling. Anyway, I think I just got dumped. And number two, yes, I mean Zoë."

"After what she did to me? I'd rather stick a needle in my eye!"

"Ever so dramatic. Have you been taking lessons from…"

Miles' heart lurched and he couldn't even finish his sister took the initiative to be the one to snap him out of his gloomy bubble.

"You're right, Brother."

"Ah, music to my ears."

"There's just one last thing that would really cheer me up."

"Anything."

"Switch partners with me."

It wasn't so much of a request as it was a statement. In a flash, she broke free from Miles' arms and raced ahead to pounce on Zoë from behind with a hug. The other girl was startled at first, but she returned Frankie's embrace and let herself be whisked away after offering Tristan an apologetic smile. He simply waved it off before turning around to walk away. That was when Miles' hand shot out and captured his wrist.

"Don't go."

With Tristan being too stunned to respond to the request, Miles took the opportunity to continue talking before he was met with resistance.

"Please? It will be fun. Let's just forget the drama. For a little bit. Until sunset! And I kind of owe it to you since my dance partner stole yours."

Tristan looked down at the painfully familiar way that Miles was holding on to him before meeting his eyes.

"Okay, until the sun goes down then. After that we walk away."

Miles let out the breath that he was unaware of holding and chuckled nervously. He loosened his grip and slid his fingers over Tristan's hand before intertwining their digits together and guided him to the circle. Once they were with the crowd, Miles turned and took Tristan's other hand before leading him in the same basic Hustle steps that he and his sister were doing earlier. His ex's guard was lowering and they were both laughing in no time at all. That was when Miles decided to switch things up and lead dance partner in a tight spin before bringing him even closer. Tristan's arms automatically looped around his neck. He didn't meet Miles' eyes but he didn't pull away either so the other boy wrapped his arms around his slender waist. His heart leaped when Tristan decided to perch his chin on his shoulder and when Miles hugged him closer, he could have sworn that he heard a blissful sigh close to his ear. Tristan nuzzled into the brunet's collar as they continued to sway and Miles pressed his lips to his temple in return.

They were so deeply intertwined in each others' arms that it was hard to tell where one began and the other ended. Miles barely felt his feet touching the ground as he moved to the music. It had been months since he felt this good and judging by the way Tristan was smiling with his eyes closed, Miles was willing to bet his family fortune that the boy currently locked in his arms was feeling the same way.

This was it: the moment he needed to make things right.

Miles was so consumed with his thoughts, he was missing one of the most beautiful sunsets that the summer had to offer. But that didn't escape Tristan's radar.

"A promise is a promise," he said delicately while detaching himself from Miles' embraced. "Anyway, I should get going."

Miles gripped on to Tristan's hand.

"Look, I'm sorry. For everything. I miss you. I miss us. Is there any way that we can start over?"

Tristan stayed silent.

"Please Tris… I just really want to kiss you right now."

Tristan's eyes glazed over and his lips formed a perfect 'o'. Miles could practically see their two favourite little words since the night of the storm at the tip of his tongue that could very well be the key to his second chance.

But the look left as quickly as it came. Tristan's eyes hardened before he yanked his hand away and tucked it into his crossed arms.

"I'm not going to fall in love at the drop of a hat, Hollingsworth. I can't just forget what happened. And you've gotta be sure about what you want."

"I miss being with you. I want us to hang out again."

"Maybe one day we can. But trust me, you've got a lot of work to do before we're cool."

"Tell me, what to do to make this right?"

Tristan offered him a tight smile before looking away and shoving his hands in his pockets. He turned to leave, fading away with the sunset. Miles realized that there was no magic solution this time. Quick fixes such as slapping on a sexy uniform were a thing of the past. He was going to have to use everything he had to get back into this boy's good graces.

Because he needed Tristan back in his life.