I learned more about Abby just from being in her parent's house. Her mother loves interior decorating and cooking, and her father loves landscaping. I'm sure that's why she loves baking and gardening.

"If you don't mind me asking," I began, getting shaking heads from both parents, "On the night that you met James' parents, what were you trying to make?"

Her parents started laughing to themselves, "Honey ham." Her father responded. "And if Judy hadn't been talking so much-"

"Hey! You're the one who told me to go be social. I was perfectly happy in my kitchen." Mrs. Newman gaped. They both continued laughing, and sharing looks that spoke words between them. I was expecting a rush of nausea, as usual, but I was surprised to feel genuinely happy.

This was the perfect topic, to redo the caterers. "Does Abby like honey ham?"

"No!" Mr. Newman laughed harder.

"She thought James' parents loved honey ham, but when we burnt it-"

"We?" Mr. Newman shot back, and I couldn't help but smile at their interaction.

"Fine. When I burnt it, they said 'good riddance'! She wanted to impress them so much." Mrs. Newman shook her head, reminiscently.

They both sighed after their bursts of laughter. "But, you know what she does like, and she's been asking us to go there with her for her birthday?"

"What?" I prompted. If I could get all her favorite things, she'd never forget this night. All her favorite people, her favorite food, favorite music. I was already excited for her.

"Maggiano's."

My face dropped. "The Italian restaurant?"

"Yeah, but they're always booked months in advance." Mrs. Newman frowned.

I could get them to cater if I talked to Little Nicky. Susie said he was still hooked on me. "I'll see what I can do."

Mrs. Newman's face lit up, "That would be lovely!"

Mr. Newman raised a brow, "How?"

"I know the owner's son." I knew him at least twice already. I bit back a smirk at my thoughts. "James mentioned that Abby likes classical music."

"Yes, she does. Absolutely loves it, I can't stand it, but it helps her concentrate." Mrs. Newman smiled.

I nodded. I had to cancel as many of the reservations as I could, as soon as possible. "Dinner's been lovely-"

"Oh no. Don't go yet. I've bought dessert."

I smiled softly, "I would stay, but I've got lots of phone calls to make."

"We can call our side of the family and let them know it's not longer a formal event, and it would be held here."

"I can't let you-"

"Sam, they just want to help." Will placed a warm hand on my back. For a moment, my thoughts blanked at the butterflies he caused as his fingertips slid down my back.

"It's my job to contact all guests." My voice came just above a whisper, and instead of facing the Newman's I realized I was still looking at Will.

"Some of my family get a little snappy when strangers call." Mrs. Newman sounded honest, and everyone's expression told me to stay.

"Alright." I nodded.

"Wonderful."

The DJ didn't pose a problem when I canceled, and we only lost the deposit on him. The hotel gave me a full refund. Apparently they were trying to build up the courage to ask to move to a different date- another group had requested that day, willing to pay double of what was already being paid.

Booking the classical music, was a bit harder on short notice, but with the money we'd be getting back from the deposit, I was able to put up the extra amount. Our budget for decorations would be saved, and the caterers didn't put up an argument after some coaxing. Fresh produce was always bought the day before, or the day of- I knew that. Why would Julie book a french menu, anyway?

Calling everyone on the guest list was just as bad. A lot of people weren't sure I was legit, they'd spoken directly to James. But somehow I got through it.

"I'd better take her home. She was up all night last night, planning everything." I heard Will's voice, and my eyes fluttered open to Emma glancing down at me, and my head resting on Will's shoulder.

"Sorry. How long was I out for?" I yawned, rubbing my eyes.

"About an hour."

"How far did I get?" I asked Will, my brows scrunched. "We finished calling off the rest of the guests, since I personally knew a few and so did Abby's mom."

"You two didn't have to." I stood up slowly, balancing myself.

"You're doing a wonderful job, on such short notice. We didn't know what the party was supposed to look like before, but William told us that you remade everything- and seeing it now, it looks like something Abby is going to love."

I smiled, pride and joy filling me temporarily.

Will drove me home, and I fell asleep on the way there too. "Do you want me to carry you up like old times?"

I groggily rested my head on the window panel, turning on my side and curling up, "God no. I've gained like thirty pounds."

"From when you were eighteen? I can tell." My gaze shot to his, "It went everywhere I hoped it would."

My cheeks burned, and I sat up, fully awake. Where was this coming from? "Thanks for the ride, Will."

"I'll come by tomorrow to pick you up."

"Can you come by early?"

"How early?"

"Six?"

"Should I just sleep over?"

"Definitely not."

He laughed, as I exited his car, "Have a goodnight, Sam."

"Thanks." I shook my head, still confused on what he said.

*

"Why didn't you call?"

"I knew you barely slept yesterday, and I figured you could use your sleep." Will shrugged as he pulled out of my complex.

"It's already ten. That's four hours less to decorate." I mumbled, glancing through Abby and James' binder to figure out what we could work on first.

"Are we going straight to the Newman's?"

"No, sorry, I forgot." I glanced up from my binder, "I need to pass by a butcher shop on Belt Line Road."

"Great, there's a breakfast place I know that's not too far from there."

"We don't have time for breakfast."

Will shot me a look, "You need breakfast. I'm just going to pick it up, and then we'll head over to the butcher shop."

"Fine."

Will muttered something under his breath.

"What?"

"I've just never had to convince a girl to let me buy her a meal."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not one of those girls."

"You sure aren't." He whispered, probably not meant for to hear.

I knew better than to stay in the car, when Will parked. I'd be too impatient trying to figure out when he was back so we'd leave. At least if I saw what would be taking long I wouldn't be so stressed.

"I also need to stop by a photo shop to print the pictures to hang them in the backyard." I flipped through my productivity app, making sure I transferred everything to it.

"Samantha?" I turned to see Brandon in a waiter uniform. I glanced at Will and back at Brandon.

"Hey Brandon."

"You finally passed by to buy me breakfast?" He smirked.

I glanced at Will, who had an expecting look on, "Not exactly. Brandon, this is Will. Will, this is Brandon."

They shook hands, "Nice to meet you. I've heard some- things about you." Brandon chuckled, and shot me a smile. My eyes shut slowly as I shook my head.

"Nice to meet you too." Will replied meeting my gaze.

"We're just picking up breakfast and then running some errands." I explained.

"How's Oliver?"

I shrugged, and Brandon rose a brow, glancing at Will. "Oh, Will already knows me and Oliver aren't together."

Brandon's name was called from the back, at the same time a waitress came out with Will's order.

"I'll see you around, Samantha." Brandon winked, and I gave a short wave.

The photo shop wasn't too far of a drive away, and the owner told me they'd print my order asap since Living Dreams was a frequent customer. Will and I were waiting by the pick up line checking out random gadgets.

"So, what's Brandon to you?"

I glanced up at him, brows furrowed, "What do you care? You have a girlfriend."

"I don't."

"Madison wasn't your girlfriend?"

"Was, yes. She's not anymore, though."

I straightened at the sound of this, my fingers tweaking the box in my hand. "Since when?"

"Since Sunday night."

Madison seemed genuinely interested in him. Why would he break up with her after a whole year? My mind flashed to last night's comment about gaining weight in all the places he'd hoped.

"Will. Why did you break up with her?" I asked slowly.

He seemed to get my implication, "It wasn't about you. Don't feel like you had any influence on that." I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling the jab of his words. To think I was almost flattered at the thought of him wanting me over someone else. But he'd never wanted me- not like that anyway.

I turned to the clerk when they called my name to pick up the order, and led Will back to his car.

"I didn't mean it in a rude way. I just know that you'd blame yourself-"

"Your right I would blame myself, because I'm not that type of girl, and I never will be."

Will waited until we were close to the butcher's to speak again. "After hanging around James and Abby last weekend, I realized that wasn't what I had with Madison, and I wasn't sure if I ever could. She's a good friend, but an orange can't be an apple."

I stared at him, waiting for him to get to the point. Why was he telling me this? So I'd have the confirmation that I was never going to be an apple, along with Madison?

He didn't have anything to add, or he wasn't sure what to add, so I spoke up. "I think you should wait in the car. I'll be quick."

Little Meataly had grown into a much larger meat warehouse since I'd last been in here, and it didn't look so primal. Now, the customer side of the counters were clean, blocking us from the butchery happening behind closed curtains.

"How can I help you sweetheart?" The butcher questioned, obviously knowing I didn't belong there.

"Is Nicky in today?"

"Nicky?" He raised a brow, looking me up and down shamelessly, "Little Nicky?"

I nodded.

"I'll see what he's up to." He eyes dropped down my body once more before heading off to the back and readjusting the toothpick in his mouth.

"Samantha." Nicky greeted, pulling me in for a two cheek kiss.

"Hey Nicky, I have a huge favor to ask." Nicky's smile dropped as I cut to the chase.

"What do you need?" His eyes flickered around for a moment, as if I was going to ask him to do something illegal.

"Do you think I can put in a huge order of food for tomorrow for Maggiano's?"

He looked both slightly irritate and disappointed. "That's what you came here for?"

"Nicky, please." I caught his arm as he started walking away.

"You cancel our plans every time I try to take you out to dinner, and then you ask me for a favor like that?"

"Nicky, I'm begging."

"You give me three dates, and then you leave me high and dry." My hand still held his forearm as he neared me, my neck craned to keep our gazes locked.

"I told you my rules on the second date, and you still wanted that third one." I countered.

"I thought I'd be an exception." His face was hard, but his eyes were searching.

"It's for work, Nick. You know how work can be." I sighed. "You know I would've put in for this months ago, but I got stuck planning an engagement party."

Nicky's lip tilted up on one side. "You? Doing an engagement party?"

I nodded, a soft smile on my lips. He chuckled a bit. He knew how I was. All of the guys I'd been with knew how I was. I always explained on the second date, what would happen.

"Sam." I turned to Will, who's eyes were all but stripping Nicky right now. His eyes landed on my hand holding Nicky's arm, and I noticed the small twitch that made his jaw flex.

I let Nicky's arm drop to his side, and Nicky took in the awkward tension. "Please, Nicky. I'm begging you. I'll do anything."

"Hey." Will shook his head at my wording, but Nicky grinned, "You don't have to worry about that, we've already-" I slapped Nicky's arm.

"Ow." Nicky laughed to himself as he rubbed the slapped area. "Alright, Samantha, but just this once."