Sophia Kate sat at the edge of her bed staring out of her bedroom bay window. The childhood swing that her grandfather had built still hung sturdily despite the rust and age. She could see her mother and Mrs. Connie Briar planting fresh seeds in the front garden as her dad joked and watered the lawn with Mr. Bailey Briar, Jr.

She smiled to herself as she thought about life in Sadler. It had been quaint and peaceful for as long as she could remember. It was a small town without many instances of the negative stereotypes. Everyone knew one another, which for the most part meant that everyone looked out for each other. There were many residents of the community that were eighth, ninth and tenth generations who still ran family companies, businesses and stores.

Briar Forest was one of the oldest shops in Sadler. It originally opened as a shoe and fabrics store in 1940, but presently Briar Forest had expanded to clothing, jewelry, and furniture with over two hundred stores throughout the south. A member of the Briar family ran multiple store locations, while Mr. Bailey Briar, Jr. headed the corporate office in Sherman, Texas.

The Lawson and Briar families were always proud of one another and their success seemed to follow both families. Their friendship was generational and their professional and personal victories had continued throughout the years.

Martin Lawson, Sophia Kate's grandfather, and Bailey Briar, Sr. worked in the Lawson fields together as boys during the summer months. They grew close and so did their sons, Stanton and Bailey, Jr. Martin was a gifted sharecropper and Bailey, Sr. was the county's sheriff. The two men couldn't be more opposite than they already were, but that dynamic continued to strengthen their friendship until the very end.

It was Bailey's experience in law enforcement that drove Stanton into the legal field. He always admired his best friend's father more than his own. He hated the great outdoors unlike Bailey, Jr. It was Martin's hospitality and know-how with customers that led Bailey, Jr. into opening up the first Briar Forest store. Despite the switch in career choice Bailey, Sr. and Martin supported their sons and played pivotal roles in establishing their accomplishments.

The Briar family was just that – family. Sophia Kate looked to Bailey Briar, Jr. whenever she needed a second father's opinion and Connie was definitely the girly version of her own mother. Connie was from Australia, so she had the coolest accent Sophia Kate had ever heard. Regardless of what time of the day or where they went, Connie was always dressed to impress. She was going to miss them so much while she was away, but as Trey walked up the front porch, she knew she would miss him the most.

Bailey Briar, III or more famously known as Trey, had been Sophia Kate's best friend for as long as either of them could remember. Sophia Kate's mom, Jessica Lee, had pictures of Trey and Sophia Kate holding hands as she learned to walk. He was two years older than she was, but he certainly didn't act like it.

He was the type of guy that was funny without trying to be funny. He was an undiscovered comedian and Sophia Kate would miss the many fits of laughter they shared. Trey decided to go to the community college in Sadler for his first two years of undergrad to stay close to his family and their businesses.

Now that he had received his Associates' degree, his mother was eager for him to transfer to a university for his Bachelor's. Secretly, Connie hoped that Sophia Kate's acceptance to Texas University in Austin would give Trey the nudge needed to enroll. She wanted her son away from Sadler and Briar, Inc.

She knew how much Trey loved being in Austin, but she also knew how much he loved the prospect of leading their family business. Sophia Kate never understood why Connie was so against Trey joining the rest of the Briar clan. He had a knack for management and business strategy, but the idea of Trey leaving to travel nationwide to expand the Briar brand was a bit disheartening for both her and Connie.

"Well aren't you just a ray of sunshine this morning," Trey drawled as he walked into Sophia Kate's room. Sophia Kate looked up with a half-smile. He could always read her. She loved and hated that about him. Her mind was filled with thoughts about what the next two months were going to be like. She couldn't help but fret over her last full summer in Sadler.

It was obvious to Trey that she needed a break from herself and her clouded mind. "Come on, Soph. I know what's going to make you feel one hundred times better!" He beamed as he grabbed her unwilling arm and headed towards the front door. "And what could that possibly be?" Sophia Kate asked already knowing the answer.

They waved goodbye to their parents as Trey drove past them and towards Any Given Sundae. It was the only ice cream parlor in Sadler and for great reason. Trey and Sophia Kate were convinced that Granny was the best host, cook, and homemade ice cream maker in the entire state.

The two of them had spent so much time there that it was like a home away from home. They would spend every other weekend hanging out in their favorite booth, eating their fill of ice cream while discussing theories and spoilers for Game of Thrones. It looked like your typical diner-style café, with light blue walls, cream tables and matching booths. The atmosphere was always warm and welcoming.

"Well, hey there you two!" Granny yelled across the café. She was in her late-sixties with a full head of white hair and a smile that could brighten anyone's day. She opened up the store with her late husband Wilbur, who loved football, hence the name. She was so adamant about running the restaurant in his honor and the entire town agreed and continued to support her.

"I'll bring out your cookies and cream ice cream and sweet cream milkshake in a second," she yelled as she headed to the back. Granny never forgot someone's order once they deemed it their favorite. Trey smiled at Granny and then at Sophia Kate. "What's wrong, Katie?" Trey asked with a grin.

He knew she hated when he called her Katie, but he didn't care. He was determined to snap her out of this funk. "I don't even know where to begin," Sophia Kate pouted. She had a thousand things on her mind that were stressing her out on a daily basis. How was she going to begin to rattle off her list of crazy to Trey?

"Why don't you start at the beginning? You were a million miles away when I got to your house. I literally stood in your doorway and watched your worry lines double." He seemed truly concerned and Sophia Kate appreciated that. Trey really was a great friend, but a part of the worries on her ever-growing list were about him.

Their friendship was so important to her and she couldn't help but wonder what would happen to them once she left. When he decided to go to community college she was beyond relieved. It was selfish, but she was so happy to have him for two more years. He was such a central part of her life and that was both scary and exhilarating.

She could never seem to get enough of him, but as August got closer, she felt her mind and heart being pulled elsewhere. "You're doing it again. Those worry lines are just burrowing." Trey laughed as he ate a spoonful of his ice cream. Sophia Kate was so lost in thought she hadn't realized that Granny had brought over their dessert.

"I'm just worried, Trey." Sophia Kate sighed. "Well, thanks for stating the obvious." he retorted. She wasn't getting off that easily. "I have two months left until I'm thrust into the real world. Two months to get everything I need for school and my dorm, spend time with my parents...you..."

Sophia Kate averted her eyes to avoid Trey's gaze. Hearing everything made it all real. She knew they both had been procrastinating on coming to terms with the fact that things were starting to change. She had spent the morning figuring out different routes from Sadler to Austin, but they all amounted to over four hours in the car one way. The friendship was worth the drive. Trey was worth a lot of things, but she knew they both deserved this time and space to figure themselves out.

He didn't want much in comparison to a lot of their friends. He enjoyed life in Sadler with family and friends around. Sophia Kate used to think that was enough, but as she got older her perspective changed. When she was a high school freshman watching Trey play baseball with the Junior Varsity team, Sophia Kate wondered what a life together with Trey there in Sadler would look like. But Trey had always treated her like his best friend, which she was. She spent her freshman, sophomore and most of her junior year putting thoughts of Trey into a mental lock box where she could contain them and never let them escape.

They had spent their entire life in a town where everyone knew their names, family history, etc. When they were younger, he'd been her world. From the moment puberty struck, he had fascinated her. Trey began to morph into the handsome young man in front of her.

He made the decision to stay in Sadler and follow the footsteps of his father and extended family. He always loved the stories and encounters he had with customers. The idea of running the stores was his dream, but his father would never be okay with that.

Sophia Kate knew it was selfish, but a part of her wished he didn't like how things were. Trey never seemed to think about what life would be like outside of Sadler, Texas but he knew, as they got older that was all she thought about.

She was the eager student during the college tours that asked all of the questions and new random facts about the school's founding years. He was so thankful when she got accepted into Texas University, because he knew that at least she would be four hours away verses the twenty-one hour drive to her runner-up choice, UCLA.

"You always find a way to worry about things that aren't even worth worrying about." Trey sighed as he scrapped at the empty bowl. "You should be celebrating everything that's about to happen for you, Soph! You got accepted into a great university with an amazing Arts program. The world is your lobster!"

Trey smiled that million-dollar smile of his that made girls statewide swoon, including her. "You mean oyster!" She chuckled. "How can you think about seafood at a time like this?" He huffed jokingly. For as long as she could remember, Sophia Kate had a deep passion for dance and the arts. Trey was right. Texas University was nationally recognized for a lot of its programs, including its Fine Arts and Dance programs. She knew it was an incredible opportunity, but the reality of it all was starting to sink in.

"What if I fail?" It came out in a whisper, but despite the slurping coming from Trey as he finished her milkshake his half-smile let her know he heard. "It's time to snap out of it. You're letting these unnecessary fears swallow you whole before you even TRY! 'What if you fail?' That's not even possible, Soph. You're too darn stubborn to except anything less than the best and you know it."

Trey put a twenty-dollar bill on the table before standing up. "Come on, I've got something to show you." Sophia Kate stared at his extended hand suspiciously. "Are you seriously being difficult right now?" Trey frowned making Sophia Kate grin. "There's my girl," Trey smiled back at her as she placed her hand in his.

As they turned and walked along the path that led to the outskirts of town, Trey still held onto Sophia Kate's hand. Her heart jumped as his fingers slotted perfectly between hers. The gesture was probably nothing to him, but it made her heart race.

An idiotic smile was permanently plastered on her face. For the entire fifteen-minute walk, Trey's hand was wound firmly around hers. A part of her never wanted him to let go. "We're here!" He beamed as she looked up at the abandoned fairgrounds.

They used to come to King's Lot with groups of friends, but the girls would always freak out and the guys would make up excuses for leaving. Eventually, it became a creepy little hangout for Trey and Sophia Kate. King's Lot was their spot.

"So, what did you want to show me?" Sophia Kate asked as they made their way past the decrypted swings. "Patience." Trey smiled leading her passed the old beanbag toss station. The abandoned fairgrounds looked spookily serene during the daytime, but at night it was definitely a plausible venue for an independent horror film.

"I wanted to do something special for you." Trey whispered as he brought her towards the Ferris wheel. The small field in front of the wheel was covered in rose petals with some candles sprinkled around.

Sophia Kate could hear and see their high school sophomore orchestra in the background. "Trey, what is all this?" The nervousness was apparent, but Trey smiled through them. "This is for you, Soph. I wanted to do something for you."

Sophia Kate looked at the entire scene in front of her. "How did you do all of this?" She asked honestly confused. "Why did you do all of this?" Her mind was frazzled as she tried to take in everything, while simultaneously trying to figure out what it all meant.

As Trey ran his hand through his hair, a nervous habit he'd had since they were younger, Sophia Kate realized that he was holding her hand a bit tighter. "I did all of this...because I wanted you to know...to see that...Soph, I love you." He closed his eyes and in that moment Sophia Kate hadn't realized that she wasn't breathing.

Her head was swarming with thoughts. "You what?" She didn't mean for her voice to sound strained. "I love you." The confidence in his voice was apparent this time. "I know your dad wouldn't allow you to date in high school, but you're no longer in high school. I've loved you since...God, I don't know...forever."

This was all happening so fast. With each word Trey professed, Sophia Kate's mental lockbox shook with excitement. Her silence must have registered with him, because he stood in front of her and stared directly at her. "Do you love me?" Sophia Kate looked back at him and could see the sincerity in his eyes. "Of course," she smiled. The relief Trey felt was apparent as he picked her up and then kissed her.

Sophia Kate threw everything she could into the kiss and waited for the tingles of arousal and excitement she had dreamed about to slide up her spine. She waited for the quickening of heady heartbeat, dizzying ladder of lust and longing.

Nothing. Sophia Kate tried to remember all of her fantasies. The many nights she touched herself as she imagined what it would be like to be his. As the fantasies surfaced their kiss deepened and the sparks arrived.

After a few moments, Trey pulled away. The sounds of labored panting filled the air as they both tried to catch their breath. Though, her pants came with a dosage of self-loathing and guilt. Trey was finally treating her like someone he desired and the only way she could get turned on was by the idea of him.

She needed therapy and a drink. "Wow, if I'd have known that was-going to happen, I would have told you I loved you a long time ago!" His lazy smile told her just how much he did love her. Feeling like a bitch, she disengaged from him. "Everything happens at the right time.