her face lit up the moment leila sat down across from her for the brunch event. carissa had been trying to attend everything she could because she knew that this whole thing only happened once a year and she didn't want to miss out making memories or getting further involved in the community. not only did it help her personal relationships but her professional ones too. "i feel like it's been forever since we've had a chance to sit down and catch up," she paused and nodded toward the drink menu, "and what better way than over some drinks. what's been going on in your life? did you go to the amusement park thing yesterday? it's not usually my thing but i hopped on a couple of rides."

carissa wasn't always busy planning weddings and so, when she wasn't doing that, she liked to do what she could to help people and for the past couple of months, she'd been taking care of benji's child. of course it wasn't just his but...it may as well had been considering he seemed the only present parent. though, it wasn't her place to step in or comment on the woman's absence. she was simply just here to help. she'd already laid the kid down for the night when she heard the front door open, her brows immediately furrowing. "i-what are you doing back?" she asked. it was their wedding anniversary and the last thing she expected was to see anyone back before at least nine, and even that seemed early. she pushed herself up from the couch and shifted toward him, "everything okay?"

leila had an enormous love for animals so it was no surprise that she found her way to the petting zoo, a smile resting on her face as she made her way toward the animals with the other by her side. "you know, i may or may not be just as excited as the kids are." she confessed with a light laugh, her hands tucked into the pocket of her jacket. "i might just have to make my way to the adoption event later in the week. speaking of, do you have any plans for any of the rest of the things going on? the only thing that i may or may not have confirmed is a hot air balloon ride in bighorn at the end of the week. i may or may not be going with a blind date. You know, the one you set me up with.”

the older carissa got, the more worried she was convinced that she wasn't going to find that one person she was supposed to spend the rest of of life with. regardless of that nagging feeling in the back of her head, she still did what she could to connect with anyone in any way she could, jacob included. so, it was no surprise that she was here with him right now. her eyes were on his, her body facing in his direction. she never knew whether or not she was over staying her welcome and just always kind of waited until she could tell it was time for her to leave. "you know, i still can't tell when you're ready for me to get out of your hair." she replied, offering a soft laugh in attempt to make her comment less awkward. "feel free to drop a hint wherever or i'm going to get too comfortable."

if there was one person that carissa looked forward to seeing, it was mei. their friendship had grown over the past eight years, especially since the woman had managed to help her plan her wedding. it was by far one of her favorite weddings she'd planned, just due to the fact that she'd gotten such a close friendship out of it. she was craving some sort of company and so after dinner time, she headed next door, which she felt lucky for. who else had their closest friend within walking distance? she knocked on the other's door, wine bottle in her hand, and grinned once it swung open. "you wouldn't be up for a couple of drinks, would you?"

carissa loved spending time with the people in her life and this event was the perfect time to do it. laying next to zeynep, her hand brushing against the other's, her eyes continued to look back and forth between the showing of ghostbusters and the woman next to her. "thank you for coming with me. i was stoked to see this movie. i never asked, are you a ghostbuster fan?" she felt like it was something she should know about her friend, especially if they were going to continue spending as much time together as they did. which, kind of made her wonder what this was. "speaking of things i should have asked," she cleared her throat and turned her head in the other's direction, "is this...a date?"

a boundary had been crossed a long while ago, not one she expected to be crossed but she'd been there for the other during her separation and well, one thing let to another. what else was she supposed to do? she wanted to believe that she wasn't a rebound, even if that's how things felt once the other had jumped into things with carla. though, she did manage to come back, even if it did seem to be after yet another break up. again, she hoped for the best. smiling at the other, a giggle spilling past her lips as the two enjoyed a movie together, "are you flirting with me right now?" she teased.

carissa managed to talk them into being her date for her sister's wedding. while it wasn't ideal due to the fact that it wasn't real and well, they were just doing this as a favor; she did appreciate what they were doing for her. sitting down on the bed of the room they were assigned to share, she looked over at them. "it won't be that bad. i mean, we're just sleeping together or er, next to each other. what's the big deal?"