Unexpected Love

Wingman Duties and Introductions

Can's heart felt like it was going to beat right out of his body. He would have recognized her anywhere. But yesterday when she fell into his arms, her hair had covered most of her face so he had no idea it was Sanem!

He vaguely remembered hearing Tahir behind him say..NO WAY!..but he couldn't be sure. His heartbeat was so loud, it was drowning out all sound around him.

Sa-Sanem? Sanem?!

Luckily for Can, Mehmet, being the great wingman that he was, stepped up to him and whispered in his ear..move on, bro. I think she knows her name..

Can quickly tried to recover and took a step towards her hoping he didn't fall flat on his face.

Sanem was dumbfounded. How did the man she kissed, well accidentally, know her name? That's when she saw Corinna turn towards Can, gasp and say loudly..NO WAY!

Moments later, Farah walked into the gallery, saw Can and his friends and made her way towards them until she realized they were all staring intently at someone. As she turned to her right to see who had captured their attention, all that came out of her mouth was..

NO WAY!

Sanem looked around the room as if she was caught in some kind of gag skit thinking to herself..WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP SAYING THAT??

Can, feeling a gentle but firm push from behind, took another step closer to Sanem and fought the urge to say her name again. Clearing his throat softly and realizing that she didn't recognize him, Can said...C-Can. Can Yaman, proud that he finally remembered his own name. That was at least a start, right?

Can? Sanem asked with a confused look.

Can Yaman. Yes, Can..when he heard Mehmet whispering in his ear again..she got your name already, buddy..move on!

Recovering again and taking a deep breath in, Can said..yes, I'm sorry. We went to Remide High School together back in Rome. You were a few grades behind me but you and my sister Farah were in the same grade, nodding towards her while giving her a desperate "help me, sis" look.

Snapping out of her own shock, she said Yes! Sanem! How are you? I haven't seen you for years. You look great! It's so good to see you again.

Sanem turned to hug Farah as she had opened her arms to welcome Sanem and it was at that moment that poor Can saw the back of Sanem's stunning red dress and felt his knees buckle at the sight.

Luckily his wingmen grabbed him on both sides and kept him upright until he reclaimed his composure. Tahir was sure that he saw sweat break out on Can's upper lip and forehead.

Farah! You look wonderful! What a surprise to see you again. Yes, its been too long, Sanem said but made a side eye glance back at Can. Thinking to herself, Farah's brother Can certainly didn't look like this in high school!

Corinna, looking around at the small group that had gathered was in awe and said with a laugh..It looks like our high school reunion in here! This is crazy!

While Corinna and Farah hugged and made small talk, Sanem's attention was back on Can again. Her face flushed red when she realized that he was still staring at her but his face had broken out into the goofiest smile she'd ever seen. She couldn't help but start to smile too. That's when Can felt his heart actually flop inside his body.

Mehmet wasn't quite sure what was going on because he wasn't part of this impromptu high school reunion but was thoroughly amused to see the great Can Yaman rendered speechless by the tiny dark haired beauty whose name was apparently Sanem. Wait..no it couldn't be..could it be the girl from high school that Can had mentioned so long ago?

Turning back to her brother, Farah saw that telltale smile and realized something had happened here and she was determined to get to the bottom of it. Two days in a row..that was no coincidence.

Desperately needing details, she poked the proverbial bear by asking.. So, Can, Sanem. Is this the first time you're seeing each other since high school?

When Can didn't stop smiling to offer an answer, Sanem quietly said, No it would seem that we met yesterday by accident in a cafe. I nearly plowed your poor brother over, literally.

Can felt like the earth must have tilted off its axis. Did she just say she was the woman I collided with yesterday??

Can felt a nudge to his shoulder and stopped smiling long enough to say, Um. Yes! Apparently we bumped into each other yesterday at the cafe you suggested but I had no idea it was Sanem.

When he said the word "bumped" both he and Sanem blushed every shade of red at the same time, remembering the kiss and everyone looked at each other with eyebrows high and mouths open in an "Oh".

Corinna, being Corinna wasn't going to let it go. Bumped into each other, you say. What exactly happened, Sanem?

Giving her a warning look, Sanem tried hard to think about anything else besides that kiss in an attempt to control the blushing and weakly said, Nothing, really. I just wasn't paying attention where I was going and ran into Can. I'm sorry, by the way. My clumsiness is legendary, Can. You were gone when I came out of the restroom and I didn't get to apologize.

It was no problem at all, Sanem! Running into you was wonderful! He inwardly moaned..did I just say that out loud, he thought to himself? What was happening to him?? He was sure he heard Mehmet snicker.

Afraid he was about to lose his 'man card' for life, Can walked forward as confidently as he could, closing the distance between he and Sanem and held out his hand to her.

Sanem hoped no one else noticed the slight tremor in her hand placing it inside Can's huge hand as he closed it and shook it gently. They both felt the shock and both pairs of eyes moved to their joined hands with a confused look.

It was at that moment that Can and Sanem knew nothing would ever be the same again.