Abigail had nearly finished perfecting the order for Martha when she felt Stephanie's presence. The warm sensation in her belly was back, and it took almost all her focus to appear normal. Their encounter last week had created more confusion than she ever thought possible and she was doing her best to avoid Stephanie, which was increasingly difficult in a small town.

"Hi, Abigail." Stephanie smiled, seemingly unaffected by last week's encounter. "I need a few arrangements of all Cassie's favorite flowers. Sam is planning a surprise romantic date for Cassie at the bistro." Excitement flooded her tone.

"When do you need them by?" Abigail asked without looking up from her arrangement.

"By Thursday night. Do you think you'll have time?"

"I can make time. Is there anything else?" Abigail needed some space from Stephanie, she needed her out of her shop, and far away at the bistro.

"Are you okay?" Stephanie pressed, "You seem a little more tense than usual." She stepped forward and rested her hand on Abigail's shoulder.

"I'm great." Abigail was acutely aware of her soft hand and finally looked her in the eye "I'll have the flowers ready by Thursday."

Stephanie narrowed her brows, "Are you sure you're okay? I'm here if you need to talk about something." Stephanie gave her a weak smile and squeezed her arm.

"I'm just fine, but thank you for asking." Abigail could feel her wall melting ever so slightly. Why did Stephanie have to be so caring and cute with her waves of blonde hair and ocean eyes?

Stephanie felt a bit defeated and blown off, but it wasn't the first time Abigail put walls around herself and it probably wouldn't be the last. "Well, thank you for doing this. I'll see you around?"

Abigail nodded and returned her attention to the flower arrangements. Stephanie took the not so subtle hint and quickly left the shop.

...

"Have you talked to Abigail lately?" Stephanie pressed Cassie after handing her the takeout order.

"Here and there, but she's been pretty absent." Cassie answered, "Is everything all right?"

"I'm not sure, I can't tell if something is wrong or if Abigail is just being her typical self."

"Hmm, I never quite know what Abigail is up to, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough." Cassie took a sip of her tea and grabbed her lunch, "I've got to get back to the shop, talk soon?

Stephanie released a long sigh, "Let me know if you find anything about Abigail, please."

Cassie gave Stephanie a supportive smile and left the bistro.

For the rest of the day, Stephanie busied herself with the bistro. Abigail was heavy on her mind, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was really off with Abigail. Or maybe Abigail just wanted that room and this was another competition she would have to endure.

"You ready for our date?" Ben asked excitedly, startling Stephanie from her thoughts as she quickly divvied out the tips.

She had completely forgotten about her date with Ben. She was too busy trying to figure out Abigail, which was proving impossible, "Can you pick me up at my place in thirty minutes?"

"So, you're not ready." Ben dropped his head and dug his hands in his jean jacket. "I'll see you at eight-thirty." He was hopeful for a kiss, but Stephanie had already returned her attention to the tips. He waited for a moment more, before turning away and leaving the bistro. Hopefully, after she locked up the bistro she'd be able to relax with him.

Stephanie drove home quickly, excited for a distraction from her thoughts of Abigail. She didn't have much time to get ready for her date with Ben, but she managed to change into fresh clothes, refresh her deodorant, and brush her teeth before he knocked at the door.

When she opened the door Ben smiled, looking handsome in his jean jacket, white v-neck t-shirt, faded jeans, and tan work boots. "You ready?" He asked.

Stephanie ducked back inside, grabbed her purse, and clicked the door behind her, "Let's go."

The drive to Blairsville was filled with the quiet background of country music, and Stephanie's continued thoughts of Abigail's abrupt behavior. "I just don't understand if she's upset because of that spare room, or if I'm totally insane and reading into everything."

Ben had already tried to offer advice and support, but it hardly seemed like Stephanie was listening at all, "I really think you just need to talk to her."

"I've tried talking to her, she just blows me off!" Stephanie could feel herself getting heated and took in a breath, she really needed to figure out this Abigail situation. She thought they were friends, weird, competitive friends, but still friends.

"We're here." Ben's attention perked up, relieved to have something to do besides talk about Abigail. "You ready for some mini-golf?"

Stephanie looked over at Ben's excited eyes, and handsome face, but could only muster up a weak smile. "Yeah, let's do it."

Minigolf was supposed to be a fun distraction for Stephanie from work at the bistro and her catering business, but it wasn't the minigolf that kept those thoughts away it was Abigail. Her seriousness and sarcasm, the red hair and the alluring twinkle in her eyes.

"That was fun." Ben forced a smile towards Stephanie who still seemed just as distracted as she was in the bistro, "Is everything alright?" Ben hurried in front of her and opened the truck door for her.

Stephanie returned a forced smile, "I'm just frustrated and confused with Abigail, that's all. I'm sorry I haven't been the best company."

Ben tilted up her chin with his large calloused hand and slowly came down for a soft kiss, but just before their lips could touch Stephanie turned away and he kissed her cheek instead. Ben's hand fell away, Stephanie quickly climbed into the truck, and Ben shut her door feeling defeated.

They drove home with only the sound of the radio. Stephanie pondered her friendship with Abigail, questioning if they were even friends at all. Ben's mind was filled with thoughts of Stephanie and their future, wondering if they were the right fit for one another. He loved her, but he was beginning to wonder if she loved him.

When Ben pulled into Stephanie's driveway she was quick to end their date, "Thank you for taking me out, I had fun." She planted a quick kiss on his lips and slipped out of the truck and towards her front door.

Ben waited until she made it inside before pulling out of her driveway feeling more defeated than ever. He should have known from the start that he was just too boring and old fashioned for Stephanie. Maybe it was just a bad night, maybe the next date would be better, or maybe...he wasn't going to go there yet.

...

Stephanie waited anxiously for Abigail to drop off the flowers for Sam and Cassie's date. That would finally give her a chance to confront Abigail and find out why she seemed to be so distant.

Abigail arrived right on time, and quickly began unloading the flowers from the back of her car, "I have to be quick, I have somewhere to be." Abigail handed two arrangements to Stephanie. "Here. I'll grab the last three."

Stephanie watched Abigail as she reached into the back of her car, the muscles in her calves flexed above her black heels. The dark matching skirt clung to her thighs, riding up slightly as she reached for the last arrangement. Stephanie almost forgot what she needed to talk to Abigail about.

When Abigail turned around and shut the car door with her hip, Stephanie regained her focus, "Abigail, we need to talk. I know you don't want to and I know you won't admit that it's about that room that Martha discovered, but we're friends, or at least I thought we were, and -"

Abigail interrupted her, "Stephanie, it's not about the room. I'm just really busy, as usual, and I need to get back to Grey House." Abigail walked past Stephanie and further into the bistro where she found an empty table to set down the arrangements.

Stephanie quickly followed and placed her arrangements on a nearby table, "Stop blowing me off! I thought you were my friend." Stephanie was steaming now, frustrated, hurt, and more confused by Abigail than ever. She was more distant than usual, even for Abigail and her walls made it nearly impossible to connect.

Abigail could see the hurt in Stephanie's eyes and her heart sank, knowing she caused it. Stephanie was basically her only friend in Middleton and she didn't want to screw it up. But right now, the feelings Stephanie stirred within her, had her running far far away until she could get her feelings under wraps. If she wasn't careful, she might lose her friend for good. "I'm sorry, Stephanie, we are friends." Abigail took a step towards Stephanie and let her thoughts swim in her ocean eyes, but only for a moment before responding, "I really am just busy, we'll get lunch as soon as the flower shop slows down."

Stephanie didn't look convinced, only hurt, "We better."

The drop in Stephanie's voice proved just how down she was feeling and Abigail couldn't stand to be the cause of her hurt any longer. She closed the distance between them and brought Stephanie into a tight hug.

At first, Stephanie tensed, trying not to give in to the comfort of Abigail's arms, but after a few moments, she relaxed.

Stephanie buried her face in Abigail's soft black sweater and their arms tightened around each other. Warmth flowed through Abigail, waking the butterflies in her stomach. Abigail took in Stephanie's sweet scent of oranges and vanilla and released her.

The sound of clattering dishes from the kitchen kept her from getting lost in Stephanie's gleaming eyes. "We'll get together soon." Abigail flashed a genuine smile and disappeared from the bistro.

Stephanie took a deep breath and anxiously nibbled on her lip, "We'll get together soon." She said out loud to herself. Rolling her eyes in frustration she busied herself preparing for Cassie and Sam's date, trying to push her thoughts of Abigail, far far away.