As soon as I pull up to Ryan's house I spot both Aurora and Austin's cars in the driveway- I guess this is a group meeting after all. When I pull open the screen door I find Aurora and Austin seated on the couch with Ryan slung across the recliner next to them.

"So still nothin'?" Austin asks as I walk in and I shake my head, "He hasn't offered me anything. You guys might need to find a new tactic."

"I think the New Years' party is a great opportunity for something to happen," Aurora chimes in and as I look to her I can see that she removed all of her red lip stick already and her feet now have flats instead of heels on.

"I agree," Ryan says and I snap my gaze to him. "I was actually hoping to spend New Years with you. That and I will be running the party, I won't have time to chit chat with Rory all evening. I know I invited him but now I think that may have been a mistake."

"Sawyer, Rory said he'd call you after Christmas," Austin says, "which means there are still five days before your party that ya'll could get together and something could happen. However, if he doesn't reappear until New Years then I think you gotta make some time for him at the party."

My eyes then go to Ryan as he says, "We can figure out the logistics of how we can spend time together that night later, but I do agree that that kind of atmosphere would be the perfect opportunity for them to offer people an upper."

I know it's three against one here. There isn't much I can do about changing any of their minds.

"Fine. But I only have one day left until we are off for three days for Christmas so I have to focus on my own job." I tell them with a snap. "Then I'll only have four days to finalize everything and decorate so since I helped ya'll I expect you guys to be willing to help me decorate and set up."

"I'll have to run that by the fiancé," Austin says and I immediately shake my head, "Margot already offered to help so don't even think of tryin' to get out of it." He slumps back against the couch and I want to clap my hands and say meeting adjourned. I want to speak with Ryan alone but with how comfortable Aurora is currently on the couch I am thinking she is not going to let that happen. I release a long sigh and decide to change my bed plans for tonight, "Well I am going back home tonight. My mother and I are designing the menu's tomorrow so I better get going."

"I'll walk you out," Ryan says as he pulls himself from the couch. He walks behind me all the way to my car door and I spin around to face him before opening it. He reaches to the side of my face and pulls the tiny receiver from my ear. I pull the tiny microphone from in between my cleavage and drop it into his hand as well.

"So Rory kissed you tonight?" Ryan asks but we both know it's not really a question.

"I'm not sure if I would call what he did a kiss but I think that's what he was going for," I reply and I watch as Ryan looks away from me.

"It's hard because I know I am asking this of you but it's not easy to listen to it all either," Ryan replies as he shoves his hands into his jean pockets.

"Well I don't want you to listen to him bein' my New Years kiss either. I'm not gonna lie, I'll be a bit disappointed if you are willin' to let that play out," I tell him and he shakes his head.

"No, I'll be your midnight kiss. We'll figure it out. Just know I trust you but if this is too much for you, I'll find another way," he says with a shrug. A movement behind him brings my gaze to the porch and I see Aurora lingering in the doorway. She's watching me so I shake my head and look back to Ryan, "I know it means nothing and so do you. So if kissing me tonight makes him trust me more, then I can handle it. Hopefully this will all be over soon."

Ryan sighs, "Yeah well if he gets any more handsy I might have to blow my cover and cut his hands off."

I laugh, "I won't let him get too comfortable."

"Are you sure you're okay with this Sawyer? Please tell me if you're not. I'm barely allowing it to continue so if you want to pull the plug tell me right now," Ryan asks me, as serious as he can be. Even from here, I know Aurora is still listening. There are a million reasons for me to walk away from this but the one I care about the most is standing before me, hoping I can pull it off.

"I can do this Ryan," I tell him, wondering if I am lying to him.

"Well alright, I was hoping you'd stay here tonight but it sounds like you have an early morning. Call me after work," Ryan says and then he leans down to kiss me. I wonder if I still taste like whiskey but I don't linger on the thought for long. I drop back into my car and he watches me until I am out of the neighborhood.

*****

The next morning my mother and I are sitting in front of my computer with Photoshop open when Annabeth strolls into the office an hour late. She's dressed in her colorful fit and flare dresses again and her hair is back to looking blown out. My mother pulls her gaze from menu fonts and looks to Annabeth, "Did your car break down on the way to work this mornin'?" She asks and Annabeth looks confused as she replies, "No. I had to stop at Feeley's house and pick up my new save the dates that just came in!" She says excitedly and my mother glances to me with her lips pursed. We watch as Annabeth drops her tote on the floor and I want to ask if she's moved past the prenup fiasco but I know she'd be mortified to talk about that in front of my mother.

She brings the small square box over to us and after she slides the lid off she tilts the invites toward us. This time, squares of pearl paper sit inside and navy bows sit at the top of the card. Navy metallic lettering spells out the details and the whole theme of the wedding is changed with the new cards.

"Aren't they fabulous?" Annabeth gushes and my mother hands her back the box.

"They are definitely different than the first ones," I tell her and my mother chimes in, "Glad you finally landed on a theme."

Annabeth nods, "I think this is much classier than the sunflower and burlap idea. I want all my bridesmaids in navy now." She says as she looks right at me.

"Sure thing," I reply to her and she smiles as she pushes the lid back on. She has done a 180 from yesterday so I wonder if Gus talked her off a ledge.

"Now what do you think of these menus?" I ask Annabeth and she glances at the computer screen for about three seconds before she says, "Looks good." She spins on her heel to trot back toward her desk. She turns on her computer screen before dropping her cards on the table next to the keyboard. My mother spins her chair to face A.B and then asks, "So Annabeth, what are you in charge of for New Year's Eve?"

Annabeth shrugs and then drops into her computer chair, "I helped with buying the decor and I'll be here to help Sawyer decorate after Christmas."

My mother nods, "And you both have acquired all necessary licenses and permits needed for the opening? Had the inspections done? Furniture installed? Invoices paid?"

Annabeth sits looking at her with her mouth slightly open, unsure of how to answer. I speak for her, "All that is done."

"Glad someone is doing their job," my mother replies and Annabeth turns cherry red. I know I am technically running the winery but my parents are still footing the bill and paying her salary until we turn a profit. Maybe my mother's presence here will force Annabeth to focus on opening a successful winery.

"How is the inventory?" My mother asks and I reach behind her to pull out a binder of our orders. She flips through it and I watch Annabeth grab a stack of account payables that have been sitting there for a week to start on. After my mother is finished with the binder she looks to me and asks, "Are you keeping a guest list for the party? You said were expectin' about a hundred?"

I nod, "That's what it is lookin' like. I am opening the patio up and renting heaters so we have more room."

"Well my dear it sounds like you have mostly everything in order," she says. "Go ahead and order the menus we decided on. I've got to run, got a hair appointment but I'll plan on seeing you for Christmas." She pats my hand as she stands and I watch her grab her purse from my desk. She turns to Annabeth and says, "See you at the party."

"Goodbye Mrs. Sweeney," Annabeth says sweetly and then immediately goes back to working on the invoices. Once the sound of my mother's heels stop echoing down the hallway I glance to A.B and see her still working on the paperwork. I smirk to myself and continue finalizing the wine lists.