Later in the evening, the anticipation for Laurel's book signing filled the air as everyone gathered in the kitchen. Amidst the preparations, Susannah and Laurel indulged in a bit of nostalgia, reminiscing about the resurgence of crop tops in fashion. Florence took a moment to offer some sisterly advice to Belly.

"Have fun tonight, and make safe choices," Florence said with a teasing glint in her eye. Both girls burst into laughter, sharing a moment of camaraderie.

Laurel, catching onto the girls' conversation, turned to her daughter.

"Are you not driving with us?" Laurel questioned her.

Belly, with a hint of regret, confessed, "Um, sorry, Mom, I forgot to tell you. I have a date. His name is Cam."

Susannah chimed in, providing some background, "Yeah, his mom works at the Club. He's a smart boy. Like Harvard smart."

Laurel, though slightly disappointed, masked it with understanding. "Oh, it's okay. Of course, you can go. I've dragged you to enough of these book parties over the years. Have a great date."

With the moms engrossed in their conversation about Laurel's book again, the girls retreated to the TV room. Meanwhile, the boys were engrossed in a game until Jeremiah's attention was diverted to catch a glimpse of the girls.

Jeremiah, captivated by Belly's transformation, dropped his controller and approached her dramatically. "Damn! You... look... hot!" he complimented, twirling her for added effect.

Steven, lounging on the sofa, playfully intervened, "Hey, hey, hey, stop flirting with my sister."

Jeremiah, quick to clarify, added, "Well, you look good, though."

Florence, observing the exchange, decided to drop a crucial piece of information. "She has a date."

The girl didn't miss the shift in Jeremiah's demeanor at that, but chose not to address it immediately.

"Uh, okay. Bye," Belly bid them goodbye, responding to a text.

"Stay safe, and keep your phone on you!" Florence called after Belly as she hurriedly exited through the main door.

With a cheerful smile, Florence strolled back into the living room, positioning herself squarely in front of the TV, interrupting Steven's intense gaming session.

"Flo, move!" Steven protested loudly, gesturing for her to clear the view.

"Flo, move, I'm losing!" Jeremiah chimed in, perplexed by Florence's interruption.

Ignoring their pleas, Florence stood her ground. "I need you guys' help to make sure Laurel's book signing is perfect, and I'm not moving until you agree to help," she declared with determination.

Conrad, lounging on the couch, intervened, "I think Mom already handled all that."

"Sue only handled the decor; we need to make sure people are entertained too," Florence retorted with a hint of 'duh' in her tone. "That means good music, ensuring everyone's served at all times. All the plates and glasses are full, and someone with Laurel all the time, helping with the books."

Conrad, with a sigh, rose from his seat, approaching Florence. Gently holding both her arms, he guided her away from the TV. At first confused, Florence soon realized his intent and glared at him in return.

Frustration flashed across her face as she turned to the guys on the couch. "Guys, come on, this is very important for Laurel. Please."

As Florence looked at Conrad with pleading eyes, he knew he was defeated. The sadness in her eyes, driven by concern for someone else, showcased the enduring compassion everyone knew her for.

"Right," he conceded, releasing her hand. Walking over, he unplugged the TV, prompting loud screams of anger from Jeremiah and Steven.

"Flo's right, guys," Conrad asserted, ignoring their complaints. "We need to make sure today goes well for Laurel. Come on, let's head there early and get everything in order."

"Why can't Flo do it alone if she wants to help so much?" Steven continued to whine, as Florence, undeterred, pulled Jeremiah and Steven off the couch.

"Quit whining and get your ass off the couch," Conrad retorted.

Jeremiah, accepting defeat, wrapped his arms around Florence's shoulders as they headed towards the main door, with Steven following behind. Florence turned around, offering Conrad a small, appreciative smile, silently mouthing a 'thank you' to him, which he reciprocated with a genuine smile.

For Conrad, witnessing Florence's smile was rewarding. After all she had been through, he believed she deserved to be happy, and he was content to be the reason behind her current joy.

Jeremiah and Florence, hand in hand, swung around and started singing loudly as they headed to the bicycle stand, with Steven and Conrad following behind. The infectious energy of the duo resonated with everyone, echoing "Dancing Queen" as they strolled toward the bicycle stand.

⋅• ━━━ ••⋅⊰☁︎︎☀︎︎☁︎⊱⋅•• ━━━ •⋅

Outfit for Laurel's Book Signing Event

A few hours into the book signing, Florence found herself content with how smoothly everything was running. Positioned by the food table, she observed the bustling activity. The boys lounged on a couch at the back, Susannah engaged in conversation with guests, and Laurel deeply engrossed in a discussion with another writer, Cleveland.

"Flo, dear, could you go call Conrad here for a second?" Laurel's voice carried across the room. Florence nodded in acknowledgment and made her way to the back of the room. There, she found Conrad comfortably seated, a glass of chardonnay in hand. Frowning, she snatched the glass from him, shooting him a glare.

"What did I do now?" Conrad inquired, lifting his gaze in confusion. "I'm not even moving."

"This isn't for you, Connie," Florence reprimanded, her tone stern. "Laurel's looking for you. Go talk to her. Now."

As Conrad went to talk to Laurel, Florence took his place on the couch, engrossed in her phone. Jeremiah, ever the nosy one, peeked at her screen and discovered her texting with Liam.

"Jere!" Florence pushed him away, catching him in the act, and swiftly got up from the couch.

Jeremiah teased her, "What? I just wanted to see who's got you smiling like that."

Before Florence could reply, Conrad rejoined the group with a sour expression. "You know, this shit is so boring. Can we go somewhere?"

"Like where?" Steven asked, ready to leave.

"You guys go, I have plans," Florence responded as Conrad shot her a questioning look.

"What plans?" he inquired, and Florence nonchalantly shrugged.

"Plans with Liam, mhmm?" Jeremiah teased, noting the slight smile on Florence's face.

"You're going out with him?" Conrad asked, his tone tinged with annoyance.

"Yeah, we're gonna get coffee," Florence replied.

"We have coffee at home—"

"What's wrong with me going out with him?" Florence interrupted, irritation evident. "This is why I didn't wanna tell you guys. Don't try to tell me what to do."

"Or what? You were gonna sneak off with him without telling any of us?"

"If necessary," Florence retorted spitefully, further fueling Conrad's frustration.

"Okay, do whatever you want," Conrad replied angrily, turning to the boys. "You guys go into town, I don't know, buy some weed from that guy with the Rainbow Dash tattoo?"

"You can't buy weed," Florence whispered sharply, but Conrad ignored her as Jeremiah informed, "he got arrested last summer."

"Oh, shit. Really?" Conrad responded disappointedly.

Jeremiah suggested, "we could go to the drive-in."

"Dude, gross. No, I-I don't want to watch Belly hooking up with some kid in the back seat of a minivan," Steven dismissed immediately.

"You guys can't crash Belly's date!" Florence added angrily.

Seeing her frustration, Conrad smirked. "Yo, actually... let's go to the drive-in."

"Really, Conrad?" Florence replied, realizing he was only agreeing to spite her. "Do not go to the drive-thru."

"You don't get to tell us what to do, Flo," Conrad retaliated, using her own words at her. "Besides, don't you have a date to get to? So, go. Don't bother us."

With that, Conrad, Jeremiah, and Steven exited the event, leaving Florence with no chance to protest further without causing a scene.