Rowan looked at him as she shifted the gear from park to drive. “This must be fate. Do you believe in fate?”
He buckled himself in. “There was a point in time where I did but not so much anymore. I’ve had a terrible few years.”
“Oh, do you want to talk about it? I mean you don’t have to but if it makes you feel much better than by all means you should get it off your chest.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Although, I say its been terrible it hasn’t been all that terrible. I’m just upset I haven’t been able to make my dream come true but I have traveled the world. That’s far better than some my age.”
“Is that so? You don’t look older than thirty-five.”
“He covered the left side of his cheek. The one she would be able to see. He attempted to hide how his grin influenced his facial expression. “Thanks for that but I’m thirty- eight.”
“You certainly are aging gracefully. Do you have anyone you’re interested in? I’m sure there are many women that
Kenji couldn’t believe just how open Rowan was with him. It seemed as if, Emma got more of her personality from Dallas. Which meant that even though she told him how she felt about less than fortunate families coming to her park was the truth and yet a lie. “You seem really comfortable with me. Are you sure that I’ll be able to win Emma’s heart?” Just at that precise moment their waitress came baring their food. Kenji moved to stand up to assist her but she waved him off with a curt smile. With their meals gently placed in front of them, she gave them both a smile. “If you need anything else just tell me.” “Yes, we forgot to tell you our drink order.” She placed her hand against her face in embarrassment. “Yes, and I completely didn’t ask either. My apologies. What would you like to have for a drink?” “I will have a cola. What do you want Kenji?” “Ah, water is fine with me.” “Cola and water. Coming up.” “Thank you my dear.” Wit
Emma Jean had been working tirelessly since her strange meeting with Kenji. It was hard for her to concentrate. Her mind kept wandering back to when he touched her hand. Even now it still felt as if she could feel the heat emanating from where he touched her. What could he have been thinking of doing propositioning her that way? Each time her mind went down the rabbit hole, she would daydream about when she was a child meeting the guy that helped her. She naturally assumed it was always Kieran. They never talked about the details but Kenji seems to have more of an inkling of that day. Her memory of that day was blurry but his words always resonated with her.“It couldn’t have been him. It just couldn’t have been.”“What couldn’t have been?” Kieran came into her office right at the tail end of her vocal musings.“Ah, just thinking aloud. So, what do you think?”“Think about what?”“about having Kenji working in the park again as an engineer?”He pl
Kieran couldn’t get another word in,, she had already grabbed her laptop and placed the video meeting in progress.. he could only laugh at how stubborn she was. That part of her was also why he loved her. Just being friends with her wouldn't be enough anymore. He decided that he would add another role to his hat; boyfriend.Emma Jean was greeted by an older gentleman. She remembered him from when her father would have meetings and she sat quietly next to him. It felt nostalgic seeing him now. Granted his hair turned white and there was evidence of a receding hair line. Still, she smiled at him.“Konnichiwa, Tanaka san.”“Arigato gozaimas. Konnichiwa Scott san. You look well considering your loss.”“It certainly hasn’t been easy. How has the park been lately?”“Good, good. We held a founder’s day for our late CEO. I hope that was alright with you?”“Of course. I really do appreciate it. I know you’ve worked with my father the longest and worked along side my grandfa
Emma Jean felt his plush lips against her own. She was torn between reacting to him and melting. Her body made the choice for her when her lips parted to allow him to deepen their kiss. Her knees started to buckle. Kenji obliged her. It was only supposed to shut her up but her lips felt soft and warm. The inside of her mouth was inviting. He didn’t stop with just teasing her with his tongue. She chased after his tongue with her own. His eyes were trained on her face. He could see her eyes closing. Their kiss felt like fireworks. Sparks and bells were ringing in his ears when she was pulled away from him by Kieran. Feeling herself be pulled back she came to her senses, she slapped him across the face. Her finger tingled from connecting with his cheek. His cheek throbbed from the pain. Kenji covered his face. Emma jean, Rowan, and Kieran were shocked by what had transpired. A small smile tugged against Rowan’s lips. Hopefully that display told her precious but dumb daughter th
Rowan stood outside the door. She could hear the pacing on the other side. Whether the pacing was a good thing or not she needed to know. Rowan opened the door to a wide-eyed Emma Jean. Emma Jean heard the door open to see her mother standing there starring at her. She had stopped pacing, her thumb resting against her lower lip. “Did you need something mommy?” She walked up to her placing her hands against the sides of her face. “Dear, were you just thinking about that kiss he gave you?” Emma Jean just looked into her mother’s eyes, then eventually she nodded her head. “I see, it looked like he nearly sucked the soul out of your body. That’s a good thing, it’s a great thing in fact.” Emma jean raised her right eyebrow questioningly. “What are you on about?” “Honey, if he kisses you like that don’t you think that the sex with him would be fan-freaking-tastic?” “Oh. My. God! Mommy! I do not want to hear anything about that from y
Rowan clapped her hands together and imitated a squealing teenager. “This is so wonderful.” “Please get out.” “Just make sure you call him immediately. I mean it. You have to do it with me in the room.” Emma Jean slammed her hands on top of the desk. “Not a chance, now get out. Somme of us have work to do.” “Yeah, yeah. Sure, you do. It’s nearly five pm. You spent most of the time in meetings and fretting over me spending time with Kenji. Can’t forget that Kiss. I bet it was so good. Tell me. what did it feel like to you?” “No, absolutely not.” “You are such a prude. Fine, you know the first time your father and I kissed. Oh my lord, he made my toes curl. I couldn’t believe this man could kiss like that.” Emma Jean covered her mouth as if to keep the vomit from spewing out. She started to grab the trash can near her desk. “Girl, I told you. You got here because of the love between me and Dallas. Accept that we aren’t dr
Kieran felt one step closer to showing her that he could be more than just a friend she works with and relies on. He kissed the top of her head before releasing her. “I’m going. Make sure you don’t stay too late.” “Yeah, fine. I’ll leave in about an hour now you should just go.” He turned and closed her door. Kieran walked away with a bit of pep in his step. His giddiness was evident from anyone that walked by him. A smile was plastered on his face even when he tried to remove it. A date with Emma Jean was worth the throbbing pain in his arm. Kieran got in the car and directed the driver to take him home but to return for her. Emma Jean stood by the door with her right hand clenched into a fist. Her eyes were narrowed. Determination oozed from her pores. “Just get it over with.” She went back to her desk and grabbed her phone. Her finger hoovered over the call button on his contact. She closed her eyes and pressed call. The phone began to ring. “If he doesn’t
“If you want to take me out on a date then you plan it not me.” “Wouldn’t it be better to cater it to you so that you at least like the date?” “I’m a pretty easy-going guy so do whatever you want. If that’s all you wanted to ask me then I’ll be ending the call then.” “R-right. Then I’ll text you when a good time will be fore me. I hope it lines up with your schedule.” “Mmhmm. Have a good evening then.” Kenji ended the call. He Had gone to the urgent care clinic to be looked at but was ultimately told to ice his cheek. Nothing was broken. It was a relieve that Kieran actually doesn’t hit as hard as he thinks he does. Kenji was sitting in his car with the seat reclined. His hand was covering his face. “She really asked me out on a date. I bet it had something to do with Rowan.” Emma Jean stared at her phone. The lock screen was an image of her daddy with cake smeared across his face. She gave a wistful smile remembering how that image came into