It's Saturday morning, and he and Miss Mills walk through Fredrick's Manor. He never tires of this venue. The event planner and owner of Fredrick's Manor, Lena Gilbert, provides them with a brief history of the place and the numerous events that have occurred here in the past year. They've held birthdays, graduation celebrations, baby showers, holiday parties. The list is endless.

"You guys do it all, huh?" Miss Mills says.

"Pretty much. People love this place. I'm glad I was able to utilize it. It's been in my family forever. It's just been sitting here, so I thought I'd make the most of it."

"It appears as though you've done rather well. My clients have never complained about your services."

"That's good to hear." She smiles and proceeds to lead them to the ballrooms.

The manor consists of three of them, all with varying sizes. The Gathering Room, the first one they view, can host from 20-50 guests. The Show Room can hold up to 150 people while The Viewing Room is for 200-300 guests. Each ballroom has a view of the garden in the backyard, but The Viewing Room has the best presentation of it.

"Do you know how many people will attend your wedding, Abbie?" Lena says.

"My fiancée and I are looking at about 100 guests. His family is pretty large."

Ichabod can't help but wonder about her family as he writes this information down in his notepad. Did she not have a large family herself?

Ms. Gilbert takes notes on her tablet. "What about a month or a date?"

"We decided to shoot for the summer in June. We've set the date for the second at 10a.m. Do you have any slots open on that day?"

"Yes, I do. That's perfect. It's enough time for us to plan. It's February now, so we'll have a 4-month head start if you want your wedding here. Would you like your wedding in a ballroom or in the garden? The garden is a favorite, especially in the summer."

"I'll get back to you on that."

"Okay, that's fine. Let's take a look at the kitchen."

The kitchen is spacious, with the most updated appliances. Each appliance was stainless steel. They have two refrigerators, two ovens, a large pantry, departments for storage, and an island. The sink was large, too.

"We have a staff who can make whatever you'd like, but we've also had our clients cater their events, too. The preference is up to you."

"We're thinking about catering, but I'll let my fiancée know about this option. What are some favorite dishes?"

"Our chef makes the best lobster and shrimp scampi and has a great apple crumble recipe."

"We'll consider that. It sounds good."

"Alright. Just let me know. I'll give you my business card before you leave as well. I'll take you to the garden now."

As they follow her out into the garden, Ichabod wonders how Miss Mills is faring today. He couldn't quite tell, as she wore her poker face. Ichabod hoped everything was all right between her and Mr. Riggs.

The garden was as lovely as Ichabod remembered. It is quite a romantic area. There were flowers of all varieties: pink roses, white daisies, red lilies. There is an open space with a sizable gazebo for exchanging vows. Two oak trees stand on either side of the gazebo. The garden also consists of a garden maze that has a fountain in the center of it. It'd be wonderful for wedding photos.

"What do you think, Abbie?" Lena says.

"It's gorgeous. I'll really like it. Do you mind if I take a few photos?"

"Not at all."

She snaps a few pictures to send to Calvin.

"We also have rooms for the bridal and groom party to get ready in. There are upstairs if you'd like to see them. Do you have an estimate of your wedding party?"

"I'm not sure yet, more so on my end than his."

"Okay, well, we have two bridal rooms and two groom rooms. They are all different sizes depending on how large your wedding party is."

"I'll keep that in mind, too. Thank you."

Did she not have bridesmaids or a maid of honor? Most brides knew exactly who they wanted to include and who they didn't.

"Great." She removes a business card from her pocket and hands it to Miss Mills. "Here's my card. Feel free to call me if you're interested in booking your wedding and reception here. If you have any questions, then please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me."

"Alright. I'll get back to you in about a week. Is that okay?"

"That works for me. Thank you for coming to visit my venue. It was good seeing you again, Ichabod."

"It was my pleasure, Ms. Gilbert. We will be in touch."

She nods, and they say their goodbyes.

"Miss Mills, what did you think?"

"It's nice. I really, really like it. I think Calvin would love it here, too."

"Did you want to explore any other venues?"

"I feel like we'll end up sticking with this one. I'll talk to him and see what he says."

"Very well." He pauses. "Miss Mills, do you have other matters to attend to at this moment? The All Tunes Band has a set at Greenwich Park in forty-five minutes. I was wondering if you would like to get a feel for their music for your wedding, since they'll be playing there."

"That'd be smart to look into, since we're out. I know it's supposed to rain sometime today. Hopefully, we can see their set before that happens. And the park is normally crowded on Saturdays, so I guess we better hurry."

"Then let us proceed, shall we?"

They get into their cars.

Before they find a spot to sit, Miss Mills stops at one of the concession stands, where she purchases M&M's.

"I am under this impression that you favor this particular candy," Ichabod says. "You've bought two packs. May I inquire as to why, Miss Mills?"

They sit on a bench under an oak tree.

"They're romantic." She opens one package and pours herself a handful.

"Romantic? I'm afraid I do not see how. They are only peanuts and chocolate, correct?"

Abbie shakes her head. "Of course, you'd think like that."

"What could possibly be romantic about M&M's?"

"My parents. It's how they meet." She eats one, blue, and then another and another.

"Would you mind elaborating?"

"They were in high school when they met. They first saw each other at that concession stand we were just at. Greenwich Park was a popular place during their time, too. They also came for the live bands and old films. It was so crowded. Mama stood in line for a whole hour just to get some M&M's. It's her favorite candy. My dad was in front of her and bought the last pack. She was so disappointed about it that my dad let her have his. They were his favorite, too. He saw how sad she looked, how hopeless. It was right then he decided he'd do anything, be anything she wanted if it made her happy. Mama said she never met anyone as giving as him. And from there it's history as they say."

"That is quite a story, a very romantic one indeed. Are your parents excited for your wedding?"

She glances away from him. "I don't know. My parents aren't around. My mom killed herself when me and my sister, Jenny, were younger, and my dad ran off. I haven't seen him since I was eight years old. We lived in group homes for a while until our social worker found us a stable and decent foster home with the Corbins. They were really amazing toward me and Jenny."

He didn't expect her to reveal so much of her past with him. He's glad she trusts him enough to do so. His heart weeps for her, and the sadness is evident under her voice.

"I'm so sorry you've had to experience such loss and abandonment. It seems as if there is someone in your corner though."

"Don't get me wrong. I love the Corbins with everything, but there's nothing like having your own blood, you know? Your own family supporting you and going to your basketball games."

"I understand that sentiment very well."

Their conversation is interrupted by a woman on the microphone. She has a beautiful afro and sports a leather jacket, high-heeled boots, skinny jeans, and sunglasses.

"Hey, everyone! Thank you so much for coming out to our set today. We're the All Tunes Band. I'm Rain. This is Willow on keyboard. Jax is on the drums, and Basil rocks the guitar. Feel free to sing and dance along with us. We hope you enjoy."

People began to stand up, and Ichabod had a rather outrageous idea. He never asks a client to dance, as he believes it is highly inappropriate. However, with Miss Mills, he makes an exception.

"Would you care to dance?"

"I don't really dance, Crane."

"Well, all the better. You'll have to dance at your wedding anyhow. The more practice, the better. Shall we?"

"You won't let me say no, will you?"

"No, I will not, I'm afraid."

She shakes her head at him and sits her candy down.

Ichabod extends his hand for her to take. They stand. One of her hands rests on his shoulder while he holds her other one. They sway as the lead singer purrs "Is This Love" by Corinne Bailey Rae. Ichabod can't help but stare in her sinking brown eyes as the sultry music melts in his bones.

"Why are you looking at me that, Crane?"

He finds himself saying things he shouldn't. "I want you to be happy, Abigail. That's my only wish for you. I'm sorry you've experienced what you have."

"Thank you. That means a lot, Ichabod. What about your parents? How did you get into wedding planning?"

"My parents inspired me to become a wedding planner actually. They were so in love with each other. Of course, a wedding doesn't mean a happily ever after, but it can be the start of one. I believe a wedding can set the tone for a marriage. Unfortunately, my parents are no longer living. They died seven years ago. Both of them suffered from Alzheimer's."

"I'm so sorry. I know that must've been really hard. Could they remember you before they died?"

"They did not, nor could they remember the love they had for each other. It broke my heart."

"Your parents love you, and they love each other, too. I think in their hearts, they didn't forget that, Ichabod." She puts her hand on his cheek.

He's tempted to kiss her palm, but he doesn't. She is an engaged woman. They are already crossing a dozen boundaries by being so vulnerable with each other. In all his years of wedding planning, he's never spoken with is clients about his personal life. He knows facts about them, but it has never been the other way around. Ichabod knows he is reckless with Miss Mills. He's asked her to dance, for crying out loud.

Somehow, they end up closer than when they started. Her arms are around his neck. His hands graze her lower back. Their bodies touch. She lays her head on his chest while he nuzzles her hair. Ichabod knows he should untangle himself from her, knows that he should reinforce the boundaries. However, he can't bring himself to do it. It's been a while since he's held a woman so intimately, and he's enjoying his time with Miss Mills. She has such a strength and bravery about her, but also a brokenness he wishes to heal, even though he knows he can't. He genuinely wants her to have the world, and he'd present it to her on a silver platter if she was his.

She glances up at him. "You're so quiet now. What's on your mind, Crane?"

His tongue is slippery. "My thoughts are occupied with you, Miss Mills."

He thinks she stops breathing in his arms. And he doesn't know if it's the music or their proximity or the nature of the conversations they've had, but her tongue is loose, too.

"I'm thinking about you, too."

As he leans in to kiss her, her phone suddenly rings. She jumps away from him to answer it.

"Calvin? Hey. Did you get my messages?" She distances herself for some privacy.

The song ends and the band slides right into the next one. Ichabod sits on the bench and breathes deep. He's in over his head if he believes he can plan this wedding and remain professional, all while not falling in love with this beautiful and intelligent woman. Perhaps he should refer them to another wedding planning service. He doesn't trust himself to be alone with her, and he certainly does not want to compromise her in any way. She's soon to be married.

When she returns, he stands up and begins to profusely apologize for his unprofessional behavior when she interrupts him.

"This didn't happen. Okay?"

He nods, and she dismisses herself to get closer to the band. She wants to record some footage for Calvin. Ichabod's left alone and wanting.

After the band's set of six songs, he grabs Miss Mills' M&M's and finds her at the front of the stage, greeting the lead singer and telling them about her wedding.

Rain says, "I saw you two dancing in the back of the crowd. You and your fiancée look so lovely together under that tree. We'd be more than happy to sing at your wedding."

Miss Mills stumbles. "He's not…We're not…"

"I'm not her fiancée. I am her wedding planner," he says.

Rain looks as confused as he feels. "I see…Well, we'd still be interested in playing for your ceremony if you don't mind, Abbie. Here's our card. Give us a call whenever."

"Thank you. I will. I really loved your performance," Miss Mills says.

"That means a lot. I wish I could stay and chat longer, but we have to rush off. There's another venue we have to be at. Please give us a call though."

"Will do."

Rain goes to help her band members pack up their instruments, and Miss Mills rushes off to her car. He chases after her. It begins to thunder.

"Why are you in such a rush, Miss Mills? Also, here are your M&M's."

She snatches them from him.

"I didn't mean—"

"It's not all you, Crane." She pauses and leans against her car with her arms crossed. Her eyes won't look at him. "I'm just feeling a little lonely. Calvin's not here, so…that's all that was back there. Loneliness."

He'll pretend with her and will agree that that's what it was, though his heart tells him differently.

"May you please look at me? Abbie?"

She does so, and he touches her cheek. Her eyes flutter close. He leans his forehead against hers as he nuzzles her nose. He feels the brush of her lips on his own. And suddenly, he feels nothing but quick rain as she slips from him and into her car. He's left alone and wanting again.