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“What was the one you got me last time?” I ask, my mouth watering just thinking about the donut she brought to last week’s staff meeting.

“Maple bacon.”

“Mmm,” I hum. “Yeah, get me a couple of those again.”

“You got it. See you in a few.” She hangs up as I turn onto the street that the office is located on.

“Yes,” I hiss, spotting the open parking space right in front of our door. Pressing my foot down on the accelerator, I whip my car into the spot and turn it off before I grab my bag and step out. Downtown is bustling with folks headed into work and it invigorates me as I turn to look up at the sign hanging above our entrance.

EQA Events.

Growing up, I never really knew what I wanted to do with my life other than have a family and be a mother but when I started working here with my grandmother, I discovered such a passion for party and event planning that it only made sense for me to take over the business when Gram retired. With the help of Willa, I’ve managed to expand the business into newer, younger clientele since taking over and I’m proud of all the things I’ve accomplished in the last year.

“You just going to stand there looking at the front door all day?” a voice yells and I glance down the sidewalk, glaring as Willa grins and approaches me with her hands full of donuts and coffee.

“Need help?”

She nods. “Yes, please.”

I take the drink tray from her and usher her into the building before following behind her. The office isn’t all that big but it’s enough for the two of us right now with a reception area and an office for me in the back. Willa flips the lights on and sets the donuts down on her desk.

“Come back when you’re ready,” I say as I pass her and step into my office with the coffee in my hand. A few moments later, she joins me and sets the small box of donuts down on my desk before opening it. The smell of sugar fills the room and I take a deep breath as I pull my coffee out of the tray and hand Willa her cup. When we’re all settled in with our breakfast and coffee, she pulls out her planner and I pull my calendar up on my computer.

“Okay, go through it for me.”

“First up, you have the final meeting with Jenna today to finalize plans for the children’s hospital fundraiser.”

I nod; double-checking that the time she rattles off matches my schedule as I take a bite of my donut.

“Speaking of, I’m going to need you there with me for the first part of the night, at least, but you should have the second half off if you want to bring a date,” I say, passing her the ticket I had put aside for her.

“Oh, I might just do that. What about you? You have a hot date for the event?”

I shake my head, scoffing. “No, I’m going to be working.”

“Not for the whole time. Besides, isn’t it about time that you get back out there?”

“Uh, no. I don’t think so.” My heart twinges as I turn away from her. “What do we have coming up the rest of the week?”

She sighs and relief rushes through me as she starts going over the schedule again, letting it go. It isn’t like Willa to let me avoid certain topics but this time, I’m glad she did. After my wake-up call this morning, the last thing I need to think about is my love life.

* * * *

“Ma’am,” the valet says as I step out of my car and hand my keys off to him with a smile. He waits for me to round the front of the car before he pulls out of the driveway to park it in the lot down the street and I walk into the historic hotel I secured for the charity event in two weeks.

“Miss Dawson,” Ronald, the manager, calls from behind the front desk as I step through the door and I smile as I cross the lobby to the desk and shake his hand.

“Hello, Ronald. Is everything ready for me?”

He nods. “Just about, Ma’am. I can take you to the ballroom now and someone will direct your client there when she arrives.”

“Lead the way.” I gesture for him to step in front of me with my hand and he rounds the desk before leading me further into the hotel.

“How is your day so far, Ma’am?” he asks, glancing over his shoulder at me and I smile.

“Pretty good. Yours?”

Nodding, he turns down a hallway and I readjust the binder in my arms as I trail behind him. “Very good. The sampler plates should be ready from the kitchen within the next ten minutes but as soon as I drop you off, I’ll pop in and check on them.”