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“No, the stress is getting to me. So while I appreciate you finding one guy who might be willing to donate to the school, we’re going to need a few more to make it through budget cuts for the coming year.”

Blowing out a breath, I wish I could go back and change my attitude at calling people a week ago.

I go through everything in my head, trying to find some solution as to how to fix this. “Did they say how long it will be until the damage can be fixed?”

Sharon hums for a moment and says, “I think they said it’s mostly just drying things out. There might be patchwork on some of the lower walls, but it won’t be dry by the weekend. And safety precautions make it so we can’t have the event until everything is in working order.”

I nod, looking at my calendar. “What if we move the event?”

“I just said we can’t move it anywhere but the current place.”

“Sorry, I mean, what if we move it out a couple weekends? Is there availability in, say, three weeks?” It would be getting close to the end of July, but changing the date might give us more time and I can work extra hard to get more people to show up.

Again there is silence on the other end of the phone. I wait, remembering patience is the best course of action right now.

“Okay, I just checked the website, and it looks like we could do it that last week of July. The problem is getting in touch with everyone about the change.”

“Don’t worry about that, Sharon. I’ll take care of it. Do you mind if I work up some new invitations? We’ll just email them out with the change so we don’t waste more money on postage.” I pause a moment and say, “I’ll call all who’ve made a reservation already and let them know about the change as well.”

“Good thinking. It’s better to overcommunicate than not at all.”

And that is something I need to remember in the future.

CHAPTER24

Miles

My phone buzzes and I smile when I see Dani’s name next to a message.

Dani: You’re off the hook this weekend.

Her text has me confused. I’ve checked my calendar and other emails but other than the mixer event I’d promised to attend, I don’t have much else. And I know how much Dani is banking on me being there.

Instead of texting, I call, since I have a few minutes until my next meeting. After the conversation with my mother this morning, I’m in need of a cup of Dani’s optimism.

“Hey, I got your text. What do you mean?”

She sighs and says, “The conference room we were going to have the mixer in had a pipe burst. We’re moving the mixer to the last week in July. So if you know of anyone else who you can rope into coming that day, I’d appreciate it. What about Oliver? Did you go to college together?”

“No,” I say, leaning back in my chair. I’d almost expected her to be in hysterics once she said the mixer is being delayed, but it sounds like she’s already on top of a plan. “He went to Hawthorne University in California.”

“Dang,” she says. “Okay, well, give me Jack’s—oh wait, I’ve got him on this list here. The punk didn’t answer me the first time.”

I laugh at her irritation with my best friend and nod. “I can’t wait to hear how that conversation goes.”

“I’m a woman on a mission today.” She pauses a moment and when she speaks again, her voice is softer. “Turns out my boss doesn’t hate me. She’s just going through a lot at home.”

“I’m sorry. At least you found out what was going on.”

Some papers rustle in the background and she says, “Yeah. Sorry, I didn’t ask how you are. How’s work going for you today?”

“Well, I had a conversation with my mother about you and how I could think of getting engaged this quickly. So our plan is working.”

There is a sort of squeak from her, and I have to laugh. “Are you all right?”

“Good, great. Wonderful. Um, I wanted to ask you though, this ring is very unique and looks like it might be some kind of heirloom. Are you sure you want me toting it around on my finger?”

A mixture of worry and happiness flow through me. Happy because she’s wearing the ring I gave her and worry because she sounds like she’d rather do anything but be engaged to me.