I spent time with Brynn every day since she came home from the hospital. At first, her movements were slow and ginger-like until the pain had lessened. She refused to take anything stronger than aspirin for the pain. Brynn was determined to keep herself moving, knowing it was the quickest way to heal and by the looks of the way Brynn is moving around now, I'd have to say she was right.

Still, she slept most nights in her grandmother's recliner saying the angle was far more comfortable than trying to lay straight. I wished I could be with her tonight, but I had to work. Adam wasn't able to come in and Mr. Brock didn't have anyone else to cover for him since Adam in essence was covering for me. Thankfully, it was Brynn's Dad's day off. So Brynn wouldn't be left on her own.

Paris gave me a broad smile as I met her upfront.

"Hey there, Stranger! How are you?" Paris gave me a quick hug.

"Good. Great, actually."

"That's good to hear. Brynn is doing well then?"

It surprised me that she didn't know. "Hasn't Adams said anything to you?" I knew he had been by to visit Brynn several times.

"Not really. I don't think he likes to talk about Brynn, because it bothers him too much. So, I don't press. I figured I'd get the details from you when you came back."

"Huh?" I still found that odd. He even visited her at the hospital. Why would he feel funny talking about Brynn to Paris? Unless...

My eyes zero in on her. Paris' eyes dart and she touches her face. "What? Did I splash some sauce on me or something?"

"Oh my God... Adam. He likes you," I stated as the thought hit my brain, wanting to make it explode.

"Pfft! Yeah, right? Adam? Like me? I don't think so."

Paris is so trying to blow me off with her words but I know her too well now for that to work. My eyes go wide. "Oh my God! You LIKE him!"

Paris blushes. "Noooo! Nuh-uh... you're crazy!"

"Oh my God, oh my God, Oh my God." I can't believe it. Then I couldn't fathom it. "Why?"

Paris looks confused. "Why what?"

"Why do you like him?" I knew Brynn cared about Adam but that's mostly because they had a connection from their time in the hospital together. They've both experienced deep loss and it bound them in a way that I don't think could ever be severed. Paris though is this cute, bubbly, pixie-like person. She's all sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns. Adam... well he's like the anti- of all of those things.

"I never said that I liked him," Paris deflected. She was clearly unsettled by this conversation evident in her jumping right into her busy work.

I grinned. "I know you didn't say it. You don't have to."

She turned to look at me. "Am I really that obvious? Please tell me I'm not that obvious." Her hands come up to cover her face, but she peeks at me through her fingers, closes them, and starts shaking her head no.

"I am! I am that obvious! Oh, God!"

I put my hand on her shoulders hoping to comfort her in some way. "It's obvious to me, Paris but that's only because I've gotten to know you so well. Trust me, Adam... that guy is oblivious."

Plus, I know Adam still cares about Brynn, and until that changes, he'll be blind to the fact that Paris has a thing for him.

Paris sighed. Her shoulders slumped. "I know it doesn't make any sense. I've told myself as much like a million times. I just can't help it."

I smiled at her. "He is a lucky guy."

She smirks at me and gives my shoulder a shove. "Don't patronize me, Finn Nash."

"I'm dead serious. Adam is a lucky guy to have you interested in him. I can't say I understand it, but that makes it no less true."

"He's not all bad you know. I mean he could talk a little more. The nights he's here don't go by as fast as when you're here with me but I don't know, there's just something about him, I can't get out of my mind."

My one eyebrow rose, and she gave me a shove. "Brynn's right. You are a jerk sometimes."

I laughed.

"You know, talking about Brynn... that means I have someone on the inside and that I can get information for you. If you want it that is?"

For the briefest of seconds, Paris appeared to like the idea, but then she promptly turned me down. "No, that wouldn't be right. If Adam likes me then he'll just have to get up the nerve to tell me, or we'll both do without. I'm not going to manipulate him, that would just be wrong."

I felt the smirk tugging at my lips. "To quote your favorite book - 'few of us have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement.' "

Paris' eyes narrowed and her lips pressed together... I swear if she were the fighting sort she'd punch me right now. Actually, I forgot she is the fighting sort and did punch me, right in the arm.

"I hate you sometimes, you know that, don't you? Quoting Austen... that's low."

I laughed. "I get that a lot. It's a love, hate thing and I'm okay with it, because I know ultimately you'll love me again because how can you not love me?" I said putting my hands under my chin and blinking my eyes like I've seen Paris do when she is trying to be 'cute' because she wants me to do something for her.

"But if Adam is oblivious like you think he is, then what chance do I have of encouraging him?"

"Every chance if it's what you really want." I wished to encourage her, but I wasn't exactly certain that was the best thing to do. What if Adam didn't return her affections, or worse, what if he flat out hurt her? I'd want to kill him.

"I can't say what I want," Paris said dejected. "It's all so confusing."

"Adam has that effect on people it would seem," I sympathized.

"So, back to Brynn," Paris said opting to change the subject.

"She's doing great. Every day, she gets a little bit better. She's nearly back to her old self. Unfortunately, that means she will be starting her radiation treatments soon."

"Radiation?" Paris' look of concern was unmistakable. "But I thought they got all the cancer?"

"They believe they did. This is precautionary, to be certain she is cancer-free."

"Oh. Poor Brynn. That's got to be rough. She just starts feeling better, only to get sick again."

"Well, we don't know what effect the treatments will have on her yet, and I do believe they are low dosage, but yeah... it sucks. What's even worse is that it's during prom. So she'll completely miss out."

"WHAT?!" Paris looked floored. "No way! Nuh-uh! There is no way that's going to happen!"

"What do you mean? She won't be able to attend. Not with all she's got going on," I reasoned.

Paris grabbed hold of my shirt to pull me down to her level. "Then you have to think of something. We are talking a life event here. She can't miss it and YOU can't let her."

Paris released me and stumbled back a bit. She is deceptively strong for such a little person. I hate to admit I had already resigned myself to the fact that it wasn't going to happen but Paris rallied me once more, but what could I do?

"I got nothing," I told her.

Paris sighed. "Men! You need everything spelled out to you when it comes to romance. Bring the prom to her, dummy."

"Bring the prom to her?" I said dumbfounded... bring the prom to her? Huh. The idea had merit but how?

"I'm open to suggestions."

"Well, you need to create all the elements of the prom. She'll need a dress. You'll need a tux. A place to set up to dance, be it her living room or backyard maybe? Music of course, with plenty of slow songs, because let's be honest that's really what we girls are really looking forward to. OH! And flowers! You've got to get her flowers to match her dress. And an invitation would be AMAZING!!!" Paris was nearly vibrating with excitement as the ideas just flowed out of her mouth.

"Help?" I asked pleadingly.

"Of course," Paris said waving me off like it's no big thing. "There's no way I'd let you screw this up."

"You're awesome you know that don't you?"

Paris grinned, and with a wink said, "I know."

Throughout the night and in between my deliveries Paris helped me plan out the details to bring the Prom to Brynn. So, far we decided it would be at Brynn's house as we didn't want her to have to travel far. We could set up in the backyard. I could enlist Gran's help with getting Brynn a dress, shoes, and so forth. I'll rent my tux from the same place I got it for Paris' prom.

Paris insisted I go with a tux with tails, but because I looked "really good" in tails. She couldn't say this without blushing and I'm reminded that Paris has a slight crush on me. Still, I leaned heavily on her advice which she had a lot to give.

By the end of the night, all was settled, down to the smallest detail. Soon I'd have to get to work to make it all happen. I couldn't wait to talk to Gran about it. I knew she'd be on board. Paris' excitement had rubbed off on me and I couldn't wait to make this night happen for Brynn.