The morning light filtered through the curtains, signaling a new day. Florence, having spent the night comforting Belly, had finally managed to get some much-needed rest. However, her sleep was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Groggily, she pushed herself up from her bed, rubbing her eyes to clear the fog of sleep. As she opened the door, Susannah stood there with an expectant smile.

"Ready?" Susannah inquired enthusiastically. But Florence, who still a bit confused from her disrupted sleep, required clarification.

Susannah added, "I'm doing your painting today, remember?"

"Oh right!" Florence recalled then, "I'm sorry it completely skipped my mind. Give me a minute to get changed."

"Oh, it's okay, sweetie. Take your time," Susannah assured her with a smile. Florence quickly closed the door behind Susannah and headed for the shower, changing into a powder blue summer dress that Susannah had gifted her for her last birthday.

Skipping downstairs with a cheerful demeanor, Florence headed to the kitchen for some coffee while Susannah set up her painting materials outside.

As Florence busied herself with cleaning the coffee maker, the sound of footsteps caught her attention, and she found herself locking eyes with Conrad, who appeared disheveled, as if he hadn't slept all night.

Without exchanging words, Florence turned her attention back to the coffee maker, but Conrad approached her, making his way to stand beside her.

"Good morning, Flo," he greeted eagerly, receiving only a nonchalant hum in response.

"Aren't you going to talk to me?" Conrad persisted, but Florence maintained her silence. After last night, she wasn't keen on having a conversation with him right now.

Still undeterred, Conrad continued, "Okay, come on, I'm sorry about yesterday. Can you please stop ignoring me now?"

Continuing her silence, Florence busied herself with the coffee beans and hot water. As she turned to fill the pot with some hot water, she inadvertently bumped into Conrad's chest, surprised by his proximity. Instinctively, Conrad's hands found their way to her waist.

In the silence that followed, their eyes met, and a palpable tension lingered between them. Neither of them knew what this tension was but they were both aware of its presence; aware of their close proximity.

In a whispered tone, Conrad broke the silence, looking down at Florence, "Flo, I'm sorry for being a jerk this summer, especially to you. I...I don't know why I did it, but...it won't happen again, I promise. I'm sorry. Can we please be okay again? Please?"

Conrad's charming smile followed his apology and with a smile like that which could melt hearts, Florence was powerless against his charm—his messy hair and perfect smile. Florence's eyes involuntarily flickered to his lips. She found herself momentarily captivated as their proximity intensified, a magnetic pull between them. For a moment, it seemed like their faces were drawing closer, like opposing magnets.

The moment, however, got cut short real quick as they heard a door creaked open, followed by footsteps. Florence, on instinct, shoved some distance between her and Conrad, retreating to the sink like it was a safe zone, flustered by their interaction, unknowing on what to think of it.

"Connie, you're up early," Susannah chirped, walking into the kitchen. But she quickly sensed the awkwardness as she inquired, "is everything okay?"

Conrad, stumbling over his words, mumbled, "Y-yeah, I...we were just getting some coffee." At the same time, Flo lined up three cups, pretending it was just a casual morning brew and nothing more.

Susannah, with her mom radar on high alert, probed, "Why do I feel like you two are hiding something from me?"

Panic mode on, Conrad denied, "W-what? No, pftt."

Florence, playing it cool, cut in, "It's okay, Conrad, we can tell her." She then turned to Susannah with a grin, "We're planning a surprise party for Belly tonight. You know, her 16th is a big deal, so Conrad offered to help me with all the arrangements since Jere and Steven will be busy at the club."

It was a smooth save, a made-up plan on the fly. Florence hoped Susannah would buy into it.

Thankfully, a big smile spread across Susannah's face as she clutched the kids' hands, "That's so thoughtful of you two. I'm so proud of you."

Florence and Conrad grinned awkwardly as Susannah grabbed her coffee, asking Florence to meet her outside later for more party planning. She then stepped back out, leaving the two alone again.

 
As Susannah exited, Conrad turned to Florence, eyes wide, like he couldn't believe the story she'd just spun.

"What? Don't look at me like that," Florence defended herself, "I had to think quick."

Conrad accused, "And now we have to plan a party within a few hours, all thanks to you!"

Florence mock-offensively nudged him again, "At least I saved the situation. All you did was stutter."

Scratching his head, clueless, "Now what?" Conrad asked, wondering how they'd pull off a last-minute party.

"Now, we hustle. Quick party planning in action," Flo declared, already brainstorming.

Conrad suggested, "We could get the good muffins that Belly loves." Florence's eyes lit up at the idea.

"Yes! And stop at the convenience store to get some party crowns and confetti too," Florence added. Conrad nodded, loving Florence's enthusiasm.

"We also need to find a place to have the party," Conrad reminded.

"We can ask Nicole," Florence suggested, "Liam said she's having a party tonight at hers so if she agrees, we could merge it into Belly's birthday party too."

Conrad instinctively rolled his eyes at the mention of Liam but held back from making a comment. He had promised Flo that he would be better from now.

So, Conrad only nodded in agreement as Flo chugged her coffee, ready to roll. "No time to waste. Grab your car keys while I talk to Beck about tonight's dinner. We'll swing by the party and surprise Belly after her birthday dinner here. Chop chop now! Time's ticking," she urged, and Conrad laughed at her energy, rushing upstairs for the keys while Flo headed to the patio to chat with Susannah.