"Did you get any ideas?" Isabella called over the phone.

"Not exactly." I replied, sifting through my clothes.

"What do you mean not exactly?" I could hear her frown over the line.

"Something- came up." I called from inside my closet, glancing at the three outfits in my hands.

"Did you not go last night?"

"No. I went alright. I just- got distracted." I sighed.

"Distracted? I thought you'd be more focused since you didn't want to spend another second on this job."

I paused, looking at the phone, before making my way over to it, "I don't! Look, I'm meeting with James and Oliver today and hopefully with the information they'll give me, I can come up with an idea."

"Good." She replied, before muttering, "What on earth distracted you?"

"I bumped into someone I used to know." I pinched the bridge of my nose, "This is why I don't deal with this stuff."

"Look Sam-"

"Samantha." I corrected.

"Right. Samantha. I know I had promised that you wouldn't have to deal with the romantic side of things unless absolutely necessary- but you're one of the best girls I've got. You know I've been subbing as the temporary COO, but if you pull this job through, I'll put in a good word for you as a candidate to the board." 

When I didn't respond immediately, she continued, "You're a hard worker, Samantha, and you always listen to the clients. That's why I need you on this job." 

"Alright. I'll try my best."

"Thank you," She paused, "James is a big client- he's a financial analyst, so he's got some big shot friends that can do good to our clientele list."

"I got it. I'll really see what Abby's likes and figure out what'll make her happy."

"Good. You don't have much time. The invitations were already sent out."

"Invitations for what?" I stared at my phone with wide eyes.

"The engagement party. He's using her birthday party as a cover. The party's next Saturday." She replied as if I knew this already.

"Isabella. Tell me you're joking. Next Saturday? One week? I have one week?"

"Make it count, Sam."

"Samantha!" I corrected to a dead line.

I quickly got dressed, my mind reeling from the new information. At least I'd be done with this in a week. But how many nights were going to be restless?

I barely made it to the small cafe James and Oliver invited me to in time. "Glad you could make it. I bought some pastries, if you'd like some." James smiled at me, signaling the pastries before extending his hand. I shook it. For a financial analyst he didn't seem so- uptight. "Thanks."

Oliver extended his hand, and I shook it as well. "Are you standing in for Abby?" I smiled.

"No, just a contingency plan. So you and James won't be spotted alone in a cafe the weekend before he proposes." Oliver smiled softly, "Just pretend I'm not here."

I nodded, "Smart." I sat across from Oliver, and placed my bag across from James. I didn't even know how to act under the circumstances. "I just want to apologize for last night. I wasn't completely focused."

"If I knew you and Will had known each other, I would have suggested a more personal meeting." James paused, "I just assumed it would be easier to gauge Abby in an environment where she's most comfortable."

"She likes pubs?" I asked honestly, not letting my curiosity leak into my voice.

"Well, not exactly, but she loves being around our friends and getting to know people." James held a small smile.

"Okay. What else does she like to do?" I asked, pulling out a small notepad.

"She likes baking. Gardening." He thought some more, "Classical music. Is any of this actually useful?"

"Yes. If I know what she likes, I can get a better feel for what would make her happy." I replied, not bothering to look up from the notebook. I scribbled a few things under each hobby, giving me an idea of how the information could help. "Anything else? What does she spend her time doing?"

"She volunteers a lot. She loves hosting, too." James added.

After a final glance at my notebook, I looked up. "So, what's going on? Why do you need help with a proposal?" James watched me with furrowed brows, and I clarified, "You and Abby seem to know each other pretty well."

He took a deep breath, as if he'd thought about this a lot. "Everyday I learn something new about her. She just so complex. There's so many different sides to her." He thought hard before continuing, meeting my eyes with a plea that almost touched my heart, "I want a proposal that she's going to remember for the rest of her life. Something that won't be a let down. So in twenty years she'll look back at it and smile."

I nodded, pursing my lips. "So, I heard about the invitations."

James had the decency to look a bit embarrassed, "I wanted to make sure people had the date saved."

"So, what do you have planned so far? Who's hosting? Any themes you want present?" I questioned, wiggling the pen in my hand.

"I have a hotel booked. I want to keep things formal- I figured it would be okay since she's turning twenty five." James explained.

I nodded. "And this is supposed to be next Saturday?"

"Yeah." James gave a tight smile.

"And you've got the guest list already?" I asked.

"Forty RSVP'd already. I'm trying to see if I can fly her brothers in. One's coming in from the air force, and the other has his family in California."

"Okay." I sighed.

I ran through what they already had done, to make sure I didn't do extra work. We worked through the details of everything, and he gave me the guest list, menus, the dress code and more. I asked questions about Abby, but nothing seemed to point me in the right direction.

Before we left, James hesitated as he stood. "We're all getting together tonight to-" Oliver cleared his throat, and shook his head once.

"She has to get to know Abby better." James shot Oliver a look.

"Will and Madison are still in town. Don't you think she'd be better off if it was just us four?" Oliver retorted.

I stood slowly, deciding now was the time to butt in, "I actually don't have that much time- I have to work on the decorations, the venue, and the set up for the proposal. As much as I'd like to avoid any distractions, I'm not entirely sure I can afford to skip out on a chance for information."

"Okay. As long as you're aware." Oliver watched me.

"We're all getting together tonight to go to The Art Tasting. They serve you wine while you paint." James continued.

"Does Abby like painting?"

"She just likes quality time. Madison suggested it, so we're just trying it out." James explained. "If you still feel like you need a direct feel, you can come over for dinner on Tuesday, and ask more questions at her apartment."

I nodded, hoping to get a feel of her personality from her decor as well. "That'd be great." I packed my things quickly.

"I can pick you up if you'd like?" Oliver suggested, after James dismissed himself.

I shook my head softly, "No thanks, I like driving myself. I can meet you out front though."

*

"Perfect timing, everyone's inside. Heads up, though- we didn't even have to convince Abby to save the seat next to her for you. She plans on getting to know you better herself."

"Thanks for the warning." I took a deep breath.

We stepped inside, and I immediately spotted Abby waving her hand from the back of the venue. Madison sat across from the empty seat, between James and Will. "Hey guys." I greeted, as I set my bag down between Oliver and Abby. Everyone replied together, overlapping each other's greetings.

A cheerful employee stood at the head of our table, and informed us of today's special and theme. Underwater. She took our orders, and shortly came back with my moscato.

"Do you paint often?" Abby asked, watching me add the paints to my palette.

"When I have time, do you?" I asked back.

"Not really. The last time I painted was probably in primary school." We both chuckled softly. "What do you do?"

I bit my lip, honesty is the best policy, right? "I'm an event planner. What about you?"

"That's awesome. I'm a baker."

"Did you go to school for baking?" I asked as we all began painting. murmurs from the other side of the table, and the other guests around us filling the air with the soft music.

"Yeah, I graduated a couple of years ago. Do you need a degree for event planning?"

"A bachelors in public relations or hospitality is appreciated." I shrugged, smiling. "Do you really like baking?"

"I love it. I want to start my own shop, but for now I'm working towards taking over the shop I'm working in now." I smiled, feeling a sense of commonality.

"That's great." I replied in a whisper as I watched my hand move with ease on the canvas, sketching lightly.

"So, how do you know Will?"

I paused, glancing at Abby as she glanced at me. "High school."

"Last night you said you were really good friends, but you didn't seem to happy to see him." Abby side-eyed me with a smile.

"We didn't leave off on good terms." I shrugged, moving onto my colors. I glanced at him over my canvas, his attention on Madison as she spoke to him.

Abby left me to my own world as I watched the canvas, painting and analyzing with each additional stroke. I was practically done when Oliver stood, "Do you want anything to snack on?"

"I could go for a bite." I shrugged.

"I'll grab you something. You're doing great, by the way." Oliver rubbed my shoulder before walking off, my eyes glued to my canvas.

"Wow! You're really great!" Abby smiled wide.

"Thanks." I smiled, glancing at her before setting down my brush. I took a deep breath, taking in my piece. It was a shot from underwater, only a girl's nose to collarbone visible on the canvas. A bubble of oxygen forming at the small gap of her lips. My favorite was the distortion of everything above water in small wiggles of color.

"So, what else do you like doing besides baking?" I asked, focusing completely on her in my relaxed state.

"Hey, I bought you a crescent roll." Oliver whispered as he sat.

"Thanks." I smiled as I grabbed it off his plate and turned back to Abby.

"I like having people over for dinner, or just hosting in general." She smiled shyly, painting waves crashing over feet.

I bit into the roll, a cool substance touching my tongue as flavors burst in my mouth. "Mm." Who knew a paint shop could serve good food? I turned to Oliver, "This is really good. Thanks."

"No problem." He winked and returned to his detailed sketch of a girl looking up from under an umbrella as the rain poured down around her.

"That's really good." I cleared my throat, a few coughs coming up. I turned back to Abby, my eyes blinking slowly as my head felt cloudy and dizzy. The crescent roll dropped from my hands, and my gaze fell to it blankly.

"Are you okay?" Abby asked, her eyes shifting from my face to my hand scratching my neck, to my other hand gripping the table for stability.

I could feel my breathing shorten, and I fumbled for my purse as I failed to speak.

"Samantha." I heard Oliver call me as my body swayed while I was still seated. I heard chairs pull out quickly, my hands fumbling through my purse until I found my epipen. My vision lagged, and my fingers failed to pull it out of its container.

"What did she eat?" Will demanded, out of sight. He snatched the epipen from my hand, popping off its container as Oliver responded, "A crab roll." Will knelt down in front of me and quickly stabbed the epipen into my thigh. My breath was coming out in wheezes as my head fell onto his chest.

"Are you crazy? She has a shellfish allergy!" Will responded, his arm wrapping around me as the other removed the epipen.

"I didn't know!" Oliver exclaimed.

"Obviously."

I scrunched my eyes shut. Their bickering thumped in my mind, and my blinking slowed. I couldn't focus on them anymore as I tried to focus on breathing- and even that was tricky. I knew I was breathing- but my throat couldn't feel any air pass. My heavy lids shut on their own as my mind reeled.