"So you know him?"
"I wouldn't call us close friends but we have a professional relationship. He lives in Arborville."
After my run-in with Owen Campbell I'd returned to my hotel room so that I could collapse after the long day. I needed a hot bath and a glass of wine. Maybe some room service, too.
"He's an expert in the field of love? There's actually people studying that?"
I don't know why I asked because I had a feeling I wasn't going to like the answer.
"There's lots of people studying that and Owen Campbell is head and shoulders above the rest. He knows his stuff."
"He runs a dating website, Shelby. You don't think that's more than a little bit cheesy?"
"It's not about hooking up for a one-night stand," my friend argued. "It's about finding the love of your life. He uses a researched and tested methodology to match people. He had great success even before he started the website. He was doing it in the lab at a major university."
Well...shit.
"It sounds like voodoo," I muttered, my head falling back on my pillow. I was lying on the bed in just my cocktail dress, my shoes kicked off somewhere near the door. I'd called Shelby immediately, not bothering to do anything first except flop on the mattress. "You can't find love that way."
"I would think you of all people, Emmy, would appreciate his approach," Shelby argued. "It's practical and efficient. All the things you love."
Owen had said the exact same thing and they both had a point. Why did I have a problem with this?
"He sounds like a crackpot," I shot back. "You should hear him talk about soulmates and true love. He says he's a romantic."
There was silence on the other end of the phone. Shelby rarely didn't have anything to say so I could only conclude that she was deciding which burning comeback she was going to use on me.
"You don't believe in soulmates?"
What was it with people today? Why was my belief system on trial?
"Maybe...I don't know. If you're asking if I believe there's one and only one person in the world for me then...no. I don't believe in soulmates. Why? Do you?"
Shelby was almost - not quite - but almost as practical as I was. I considered her one of the smartest people I knew and I valued her counsel.
"I'd like to, wouldn't you? Don't you want to believe in a man destined just for you?"
"I'd like to believe in Santa and unicorns too but that would be futile, Shelby. We need to be–"
"Practical," she finished for me. "Yes, I know. But it's fun to think about, isn't it?"
"Is Brad your soulmate?"
It was a shitty question to ask. All of Shelby's friends had issues with him. He was a nice guy, but if that was her soulmate then she needed to talk to whomever was in charge of assigning them. If I had a damn soulmate he'd better be more attentive and he better dance with me in the goddamn rain or some shit like that. I'd want him to break into song like in the movies.
That wasn't going to happen. Because...reality. A highly underrated concept.
"Having a soulmate doesn't mean they're perfect," Shelby replied, in a far more reasonable tone than I deserved. "You're confusing a man that makes everything better with a man that is faultless and frankly doesn't exist. Even a practical woman such as yourself can admit that there might be a person out that that makes your day happier and brighter."
"There might."
"I think we're getting somewhere. Now tell me what you said to Owen. Do you owe him an apology, Emmy?"
Probably. I hadn't been very nice, but then he'd been a bit preachy about love and soulmates and all of that stuff.
"He might owe me one. Did you ever think of that?"
A loud sigh. Shelby was losing patience with me. I didn't blame her.
"You questioned his life's work. His integrity as a scientist. That's not nice."
It wasn't and I did feel guilty. He seemed to be a perfectly nice person who had a strange career. That didn't make him a bad person. Although...
"He sells dreams to people, Shel," I argued, not ready to give up yet. "He gets their hopes up and sells them snake oil, basically."
"Which part of researched and tested did you not understand? This is not snake oil. You should sign up and see what it's about. Worst case scenario you realize it's not voodoo and best case you might find the man of your dreams."
If I wasn't so tired I'd laugh. "Me? Sign up on a dating website? You have to be joking. Have you had a recent blow to the head?"
"I have not," she responded tartly. "I think you should find out more before you dismiss it all out of hand. You know...there's a chapter in my book about dating websites and Symphonic is my recommendation. But you wouldn't know that because you haven't read it yet."
It was my turn to sigh. "I did start to read it last night. I promised to read it and I will. I mean it, Shel. I'll read it. But I won't get far this weekend. I'm working. This isn't a vacation."
"I know you're working. That book is my work as well."
Now I felt like crap because I'd been promising to read it for ages and hadn't done so. I was a terrible friend.
"I'm going to read it. Scout's honor."
"Were you a Girl Scout?"
"No, but I wanted to be one. Does that count?"
"It will have to do," Shelby laughed. "Seriously, do you need to apologize to Dr. Campbell? He's the real deal, Emmy."
I had been...snarky. We'd both said things we probably wish we hadn't. I could say with certainty that we hadn't gotten off on the right foot.
"I will apologize the next time I see him."
"Good, because I've never heard a bad word about him. He's highly respected in all circles and that's saying something."
"I will apologize," I repeated. "I promise. And I'll read your book."
Two promises. Both should be easy to keep.
Why did they feel so difficult?
Owen
The coffeemaker in my room didn't make the best brew I'd ever tasted but it was adequate. Later I'd go downstairs and have a real breakfast and cup of coffee but it was too early now. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, all orange, blue, and pink.
This was the best time of day as far as I was concerned. I was an unashamed early bird and there was nothing I loved more than a hot cup of coffee while I watched the sun come up. Some mornings I was in too much of hurry but today I was going to sit on my balcony and enjoy it. The minute I'd seen the view from the room overlooking the beach I'd known where I'd be every single morning.
I opened the sliding glass door to the balcony and leaned against the frame to watch the sunrise. It was going to be another glorious day according to the weather service, hot and sunny. Dan and I were planning on doing some snorkeling after breakfast.
Taking a sip of my coffee, I caught something out of the corner of my eye to the right. A flash of blue that wasn't part of the morning sky.
For the love of all that was good and holy. Emmy.
Dressed in a light blue satin nightshirt that just skimmed the tops of her thighs. I had to swallow hard as my gaze ran up and down those perfectly shaped legs. Jesus, she was gorgeous and I was ogling her like a teenage boy. I should stop immediately.
My head, however, wasn't in charge at the moment. Not the one on top of my shoulders, anyway.
Backing away from the doorway slightly I could still see Emmy but I was pretty sure she couldn't see me. Pervert that I was. And am.
A breeze ran through the palm trees and lifted the hem of her nightshirt just a few inches but it was enough for me to witness the gentle curve of her bottom where the creamy skin met the elastic of her panties.
I had to place my hand on my chest to make sure my heart was still beating. I was sure that I'd had a heart attack because my entire body had gone numb for a minute, and now I was sweating despite the mild temperature.
Damn, the tropics are hot as hell.
Emmy had her hands on the railing, leaning over to watch the sunrise, and cle
arly thought she was alone this early in the morning. I doubted highly that the practical and efficient woman from last night would parade around in her nightie for all and sundry to see. No, she definitely thought she was alone and I was a total asshole for standing here and watching her. A real jerk. I hated myself for it, but not enough to actually move or make my presence known. Another reason I was going to hell. And what was this? A hand basket for my convenience?
As the sun rose in the sky, it cast a pink glow over Emmy's face. She was smiling, her head thrown back and her hair streaming down to the middle of her back, mussed from sleep. She looked happy, content, and at peace. In other words, the exact opposite of every moment she'd spent with me. This was a woman I wanted to know. Not uptight or efficient, but soft, sensual, and reveling in a beautiful sunrise on a Caribbean island.
Could Emerson Grant be more of a romantic than she let on?
Just as quickly as she'd come out on the balcony, she was gone. As soon as the sun had come up and others might have seen her she'd returned to her room, the sound of the door clicking shut firmly behind her. She'd probably get in the shower and get dressed, ready to face the day.
An image of her all steamy and soaped up rose in my consciousness completely unbidden. A rush arousal headed straight to regions below the belt.
Shit. This was bad.
Okay, I was attracted to Emmy but those feelings weren't returned. At all. She'd made herself clear last night. But I had to admit that she intrigued me. Just who was the real Emmy?
I wasn't ever going to get a chance to find out.
Chapter 6
Emmy
Somehow, I'd managed to avoid Owen most of the day. He'd been busy doing best man stuff and I'd been busy with the last-minute arrangements for the bachelorette party tonight along with the finishing touches for the rehearsal dinner the next evening. But my luck had run out.
Lisa had called me and asked if I would come up to their room. Of course, I said yes and that's how I found myself in their bridal suite along with the happy couple, Owen, and the maid of honor, a lovely woman named Sienna who had an adorable one-year-old girl perched on her hip.
I'd only just arrived and wasn't quite understanding why Lisa was urging Sienna and the little girl to quickly leave the room. Glancing from Owen, to Dan, to Lisa, and back to Owen, I took in their worried expressions but hadn't been able to decipher exactly what was going on.
"I agree with Dan and Lisa," Owen said to Sienna. "You don't want Maddie or yourself to get sick."
Sick? Who was sick?
Sienna looked like she wanted to cry. "I can't just leave you like this."
Like what? Would somebody–
"I don't want you to catch whatever it is that I have," Lisa said, almost in tears as well. "I'd never forgive myself if Maddie got sick."
Ohhhh...I was caught up now. This was so not good in any way shape or form. I'd had sick brides before but it was usually a slight cold or just nerves. Now that I'd taken a really good look at Lisa, I could see that she was pale and her eyes looked glassy. Yes, she was sick alright.
Two days before her wedding. The poor woman.
I was damn good at my job but even I couldn't heal the sick. But a doctor could. I pulled out my phone to call the concierge. There had to a physician on this island and I was going to find him or her and have them in this suite as quickly as humanly possible.
"We'll get a doctor in to see you," I said, pressing the phone to my ear. "Then–"
"You don't need to call a doctor. I know what it is. It's the flu," Lisa broke in, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. "Everybody at work had it last week. That's why I was working overtime. Now I have it, along with my mom and Dan's brother. That's why Sienna and Maddie shouldn't be here, although it may only be a matter of time before the whole wedding party is sick. We've all been around each other."
All we needed was an epidemic to sweep the resort, turning this happy occasion into disaster of epic proportions. We needed to keep the germs isolated to this wedding party and leave out the other innocent guests. Let's face it...being sick sucked but being sick far from home was even worse. When I'm not feeling well, I want to curl up on my own couch or bed wrapped in my favorite blanket.
"Owen, can you escort Sienna and Maddie out of the suite, please?" I requested, taking charge of the situation. "I'm still going to call a doctor. There are medications that you can take if they catch the flu early enough."
Without any argument Owen did as I asked, gently guiding the mother and child to the door. Dan sat next to Lisa on the couch and rubbed her back in comfort.
"She can't take those medicines, Emmy. She tried a few years ago and she had a bad reaction. Ended up in the hospital. She's going to have to tough this one out. I'll stay with her and make sure she has everything she needs. Lisa's dad is with her mom and my sister-in-law is taking care of my brother."
The concierge answered and I requested a doctor to come to the suite as soon as possible. The minute I said the word flu, he sounded pretty motivated.
"Okay," I said, hanging up the phone. "The doctor is coming. I know you said you know what it is and that you can't take anything but I think you should have someone take a look at you anyway. Just in case."
Dan nodded and placed an arm around his bride as they exchanged a glance.
"We're going to have to cancel the wedding," she said softly. "The people at work were sick for days."
That thought had crossed my mind in the last few minutes but I'd tossed it aside in a bout of optimism. With rest and fluids, Lisa might be just fine in forty-eight hours.
"Why don't you wait until the doctor sees you?" I suggested, sitting down on the chair opposite. "Don't do anything drastic right now."
The couple exchanged another glance and then Lisa spoke again. "I'd like to speak to Emmy alone please."
"Babe–"
"No, Dan," Lisa placed her hand on his and squeezed, a tear falling down her cheek. "I need to talk to Emmy. Why don't you and Owen step out and get some fresh air? This won't take long."
"C'mon, buddy," Owen said, slapping Dan on the back. "You know better than to argue with a determined woman."
"I do," Dan agreed with a weak smile. "We'll be just outside of you need me. Drink your water, okay?"
Lisa lifted the water bottle from the side table. "I will. I promise. Thank you."
The two men exited the suite but I could still see them on the balcony. They sat down in the lounge chairs but there was nothing relaxed about their posture.
Lisa took a sip from the water bottle and placed it back on the table. "Emmy, I need you to do something for me."
"Whatever you need," I responded instantly. "You name it."
It was a rash offer but my heart was breaking for this couple I'd grown so fond of. They were lovely people and this entire situation was so unfair. They deserved the wedding of their dreams and right now I was at a loss as to how to give that to them.
"Do you know of any way that Dan and I can get married in the next few hours?" She held up her hand when I opened my mouth to answer. "Please let me finish. Having watched my work colleagues fall to this darn flu one by one I know that I have a short time before this gets really bad. I want to get married, Emmy. I don't need the fancy wedding and the champagne, but I do need this man. I love Dan and I want to be his wife. Is there any way that you can get us married today? I still have enough energy to stand up and say I do."
Tears pricked the back of my eyes at the raw adoration in Lisa's voice. She just wanted to get married to the man she loved. All the trappings were extra. Just the icing on the cake, so to speak.
Glancing up, I could see Dan and Owen standing at the sliding glass door, their noses practically pressed against the glass.
"Will Dan be okay with it?"
Lisa smiled and nodded. "He is. Owen, actually, was the one that suggested it but Dan was on board immediately. I wanted to ask you alone though because I didn't want all three of us to put
you under pressure. I know what we're asking may not be possible."
If there was any way in the world I could make this happen, I would. Not because pulling off miracles would be good for my career or business, but because Dan and Lisa deserved it.
"Let me make a few phone calls. I'll do whatever I can to help you."
Owen
This was an entirely different side of Emerson Grant than she'd showed before. A gentle, tender, caring side that entranced me, making me want to see more. She'd been so sweet with Lisa and Dan, then determined as hell, like a general in the field directing her troops. She'd even drafted me into her army and I'd been happy to help.
With a will of iron, she didn't take no for answer yet found a way to make everyone think it was their idea to pitch in. Before I knew it, she'd put together a wedding ceremony in less than an hour.
Which was why I was standing next to Dan, wearing my tuxedo and grinning like an idiot. We were all smiling, even Lisa, who was paler than only a few hours before but happier than I'd ever seen her.
Not wanting the matron of honor Sienna to get sick and then pass it along to her child, Lisa had asked Emmy to step in and boy, did the wedding planner rise to the occasion. She'd helped Lisa get dressed and then done the bride's hair and makeup. Lisa literally didn't have the strength to apply mascara but Emmy has been there every step of the way despite the fact that she, too, would probably fall ill in a couple of days. Or whatever the incubation period was on this nasty bug. The doctor - who had left about forty-five minutes ago - said that it could be anywhere from two to seven days.
For myself, I had the constitution of an ox and couldn't remember the last time I was sick. I was one of those people with an immune system that worked overtime so I wasn't worried in the least. Even if I hadn't been, there was no way I would have missed this ceremony. Dan was one of my best friends and I'd helped him find Lisa. They were meant for one another and witnessing this was a privilege.
Touch Him (ManTrap Book 3) Page 4
