What Happens Next

Kismet

"Em J, good, you're here. Aiden, Owen, meet Emily Jane. She is our resident wedding coordinator," Lizzie introduced them.

"Hi, Emily Jane," Owen said.

"Em J is fine," she shook the older man's hand. "Hi, Mr. Carter. I'm a big fan..."

"Owen is fine," the older man said back to her. "By the way, this is my son, Aiden."

"Hi," Emily Jane said shyly.

"Hi, nice to meet you," Aiden smiled warmly and shook her hand. He stood up and offered his seat to her before asking the next table if he can take their extra seat. He placed it next to Emily Jane's and sat next to her.

"How did we end up here?" Emily Jane asked one of her two friends.

"Well, we were just going to the little lady's room when we couldn't help but overhear their conversation about planning a surprise party as we passed by. Of course, me being nosy and inquisitive me, introduced myself and the rest is history," Lizzie explained.

"I see. What's the occassion?" Emily Jane asked Owen, refusing to look at Aiden for fear of melting.

"It's my wife Ava and I's 25th wedding anniversary of our real wedding. I wanted to do a surprise vow renewal for her."

"That is so romantic!" Emily Jane couldn't help but gush as she held both hands over her heart. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to set up a formal meeting at your office. I'd like to keep the details private, and we never know who could be listening in on us, I hope you understand," Owen winked at her.

"Oh, yes, of course!" Emily Jane was all business now. She grabbed a business card from her wallet and handed it to the older Carter.

"Can I have one, too?" Aiden all of a sudden asked. "I'm sure my old man will have me doing most of the work here."

"Of course, son! Your mom will get suspicious if I go around secretly planning things and might get the wrong idea," Owen punched his son on the shoulder.

The three ladies laughed at the two gentlemen. They've only read wonderful things written about the relationship and marriage of Owen and his great love Ava. Emily Jane wished for a love like that; after all, she was a witness to the epic love story between her own parents, Jake and Beth. Romance is ruined for me forever, she thought silently; me and my high expectations, she continued in her head. She got another business card and handed it to Aiden, their fingertips brushing for a few seconds, electricity coursing through her veins from the brief contact. She didn't feel the spark earlier when they shook hands, but this was a surprise, and her skin crackled in response. She looked up at him and once again drowned in those blue pools.

"Thanks. I'll give you a call," Aiden said.

Emily Jane nodded dumbly, words failing her, still in shock from her frazzled nerves. Owen and Aiden left, leaving Emily Jane still in a daze as Lizzie snapped her fingers in front of her face.

"Ems? Em J? Hello? Anybody home?"

"Huh? What? Yeah, yeah, I though that went well."

"Well done, Em J! I'm surprised you didn't melt into a puddle of goo," Amanda good naturedly laughed.

"Or worse, didn't make a mess from all her drool," Lizzie added.

"Shut up, you two! Argh! Was I really that bad?" Emily Jane asked meekly.

"No. We got a meeting didn't we? Now to close the deal..."

"Don't worry, I got this!" Emily Jane said brightly.

"Wow them with your talent!" Lizzie high fived her. "You have to close this deal, Ems. It could mean a lot of time spent with the younger Carter!" she winked.

"I know!!!" she finally gushed. "He is so cute! How can a man look that good?! He is not real, I swear! Perfection!"

The three friends were laughing when Emily Jane heard a throat clear behind her. She looked back and turned a deep beet red color.

"Sorry, I forgot my sunglasses," Aiden said and reached past Emily Jane to retrieve them from where he placed it on the table.

Emily Jane looked down at her lap in embarrassment, waiting for him to leave and wishing for the ground to open up and swallow her whole.

"I'll call you, Em J. See ya!" Aiden bid them good bye again.

Emily Jane shrank deeper into her chair and gave him a small nod of her head in recognition and waved at him.

"Please kill me now," she said resolutely to no one after he left.

***

"Hey, sis, too bad you're not here to help with all this wedding planning stuff," Aiden greeted his sister Ondine Amelia over the phone. Ondine was currently a senior at a prestigious music conservatory in New York City studying music and training to be a concert pianist.

"I know, brother, but you guys are hiring professionals, so you should be fine. Plus just email or picture message me the stuff to pre-approve," Ondine replied.

"Well, dad is absolutely sure about hiring Double M Events. He said they looked hungry for exposure so he knows they'll do an amazing job for practically free, not that money is an issue. You know dad, he always has a soft spot for determined dreamers."

"He married one, didn't he?" Ondine laughed. "You'll be fine. I'm sure dad's right about this company. Who's your contact?"

"A woman named Emily Jane Miller."

"Sounds pretty."

"Ames," he called her by the nickname he had for her.

"What, just saying. Is she a total dud?" she asked rather crassly. "Sorry," she apologized for her words, not for if she was right about Emily Jane's looks.

"No, she's actually quite pretty."

"But..."

"No buts."

"Just felt like there was."

"Even from 3000 miles away, you're trying to match make."

"I'm not. It's just that you're wound up so tight. Relax a little."

"I can't. My career is just taking off now. I'm a little late to the game, but I've been getting these breaks lately. I can't be distracted by some woman who's planning our parents' wedding."

"Hmmm, so you ARE interested!"

"No, I'm not. You're hearing things!" Aiden denied vehemently.

"Uh huh, whatever, brother," Ondine continued to tease. "Just keep me posted."

"Will do. Bye, Ames."

"Bye!"

And the siblings hung up. He took the card from his pocket and looked at the embossed name again. Emily Jane Miller. He had to admit, she was a looker, even without the fancy clothes and make up. She was naturally pretty and effervescent. He could go for her, but then he heard her gushing about him. He hoped his dad was right and that she wasn't some shark who will divulge their family's secrets to the highest bidder. Well, he wasn't interested anyway. He had to focus on his career only for now. Emily Jane would not be a welcome distraction.

He will not get distracted by her pretty face, her bright eyes, her gorgeous smile, and her soft hands.

Nope.

She was not a distraction.

Not even a little tiny bit.