Shy and successful Broadway singer, Carmen, is finally at the point in her career where she is auditioning for her dream role. After meeting Owen at the local coffee shop, it seems like everything is perfectly lining up for Carmen's future. When fac...
Owen's shock at Carmen not knowing he was wealthy was evident in every muscle on his face.
"Wait!" Owen stopped her mid-sentence. "Are you telling me that when I said I took over you thought I was managing it for new owners?"
"Well, yeah," Carmen shrugged, "I guess I assumed someone who had money to own this place wouldn't be making coffee for a living."
He raised his eyebrow at her assumption.
"I know it was silly," she tried not to blush as she spoke. "I shouldn't have assumed. I guess, looking back on it, you didn't lie about being poor, I just thought you were."
He shrugged, too. "I mean, I was being a little cryptic, so it was at least a little bit my fault."
Carmen laughed, "Oh, good. I'm glad it's not all my fault."
"You want to make it up to me with a date?" Owen asked as he picked up her empty mug. "I never got to tell you how much I wanted our last date to continue."
Carmen felt the heat rise in her cheeks, thinking of the end of their last date. I invited him in, and he said no.
"It didn't seem like that at the time," Carmen refused to look at him while she cleared the air.
"I know," he rubbed the back of his neck and then pushed his hair back. "I didn't mean it the way it came out. Sometimes I'm not very suave. And, it's been a while since I've done this whole dating thing."
She looked at him, wondering if he was joking.
"Okay, well it's been a long time since I've done this whole dating thing with someone I actually wanted to see again," he added.
Sensing no humour in his words, she decided to put it behind her. "Water under the bridge."
"Good," he smiled as he stood up. "So does that mean you'll come out with me?"
"Only if you pick," Carmen stood up and followed him over to the counter.
"Fine," he smiled, "I'll pick. Tomorrow night?"
She thought for a moment, "Okay, but I have some questions first."
"One second," he disappeared into the back with her dishes. Several minutes passed before he reemerged with a sandwich and some soup.
"You want some, too?" he asked when he noticed Carmen looking at his lunch. Carmen only nodded and made her way back to the table to wait for his return.
When they were both settled in with their food, Carmen began asking Owen the questions she was dying to know the answer to before deciding if she could trust him.
"So, how do you know Evangeline and her husband?" Carmen decided to ease into the questions by asking the easier ones first.
"Ah," he sighed and ran his hand through his hair before answering. "Can I start with an easier one?"
"That was an easier one!"
"It's kind of complicated. I guess I know them through my parents?"
"So your parents were always going to support Beaksmith, then?" Carmen asked before eating some soup.
Owen's face was a blank stare, so he probably didn't know what she meant.
"When I was at your parents' house the other day," Carmen explained, "they were having a party for my company. My director said we were trying to convince your parents to give money for the theater but I ended up telling your Mom it was a bad idea and so I blamed myself for losing them the money. But she was just going to give it to Beaksmith all along?"
"What makes you say that? Beaksmith was trying to snag her. Same as you," Owen shrugged. "And I don't think your honest assessment of John's character had anything to do with it. I suspect my mother only noticed what everyone can see. He's not a good person. I don't like him, honestly, and I hate that you have to work with him."
"Not anymore." It was only after she said it that Carmen realized how much she was giving away. "Oh, I guess I didn't tell you that. I've decided I'm quitting my job. Today."
"Wow, good for you!"
"Yeah, long story for another time. So your mom isn't friends with Evangeline, then?"
Owen tried to interrupt and discuss Carmen quitting her job, but she reminded him it was her turn to ask questions, so he obliged.
"No, they aren't friends, but I think they might be one day," he finished the last bit of his sandwich before continuing. "I was actually the one who suggested Beaksmith to her. After we saw that performance."
"You did?" Carmen was surprised, "Why?"
"Because I really liked it, and I hoped you'd want to work there and I wanted the money to go to a company I thought would do well with it."
"But you didn't know I'd accept their offer," Carmen countered.
"Maybe not," he smiled, "But I had a hunch."
The two laughed together as they talked about their trip to Beaksmith and how nervous Carmen had been the whole time.
"I actually thought you might fall over after Jodi heard you question why they wanted you!" he laughed with her.
"I thought I might, too!"
"It was a fun night, though. We should do it again," he paused for a moment before adding, "I mean, I'll make sure it has a better ending."
Carmen felt the heat rise in her cheeks again at how forward he was being. "We might have to pick a different company."
"Why? You don't like them anymore? I can afford it, you know?" He laughed at his own joke and Carmen joined him.
"No, because you were right," Carmen smiled. "I've accepted their offer. You can't watch the show when you're in it."
"Does this mean you can get me backstage?" he smiled and reached for her hand. She put her hand in his as he continued, "I think their new leading lady is wonderful."
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