The Wedding Day Part 8

"I never knew there were so many wedding planning websites out there."

"Well, it's obviously a brilliant idea, or else there wouldn't be so many of them," Evette said optimistically.

"Clearly there are a lot of people looking for help in planning their big day," Ben agreed.

"I know I'd welcome the idea of having someone else plan my wedding for me. It would take a lot of pressure off the bride and groom."

"Are you back on the market again, Ben?" Evette teased her friend.

"You only broke up with Genevieve last month."

"Yes, but I haven't had a date since," he protested. "Anyway, I've got my eye on someone else."

He glanced at Nicole, who immediately blushed under his steady gaze. She looked away quickly.

"I don't want our wedding planning agency to be like the rest of the agencies out there," Nicole said thoughtfully, as she pottered about in the kitchen making tea.

"I get the impression that computers do a lot of the work for most of the agencies online. It seems that all you need to do is fill in a questionnaire, take a personality test, upload your profile pictures and make a list of your requirements and the computer does the rest. It's very cold and clinical. I don't want us to be like that.

I want us to be known as the wedding planners with the personal touch. I want us to meet our clients face to face, get to know them as a couple, and really get a feel for what they want and need. After all, most people get married with the belief and hope that it's for life. I want to make it their best day ever; a once in a lifetime occasion."

"Interesting," Evette nodded.

"I think it might be a good idea that we ask the couples to post their photos to the website. We'll be able to look at them and have a quick read through their profile to see if we'd be interested in taking them on," Ben interjected.

"I don't know," Nicole said doubtfully. "It seems cold to me. An image on a computer can't account for the chemistry between two people. Maybe they uploaded an unflattering photo of themselves or maybe they don't look good in photos. I'd imagine it's difficult to think of something witty and catchy to say in the small s.p.a.ce they have in their profile description. What happens if they simply don't have a way with words?"

"A picture paints a thousand words," Ben said wisely.

"Hmmm, there's a lot more to a connection than a photo," Nicole countered.

"Well, we have to have some sort of a filtering system," Evette insisted. "What happens if we're inundated with couples wanting our help? We can't possibly meet everyone in person."

"Maybe not," Nicole reluctantly agreed. "Let's hope we have the problem of being inundated with work. But I already know that I'd rather have a few select clients who I can dedicate myself to than have lots of clients who I hardly know."

"What are you suggesting?" Evette asked.

She could see that her sister was alive with ideas br.i.m.m.i.n.g under the surface.

"Well, I'd like to offer a more personal service to our clients, a service with a human touch. Online websites are useful but human intelligence and the personal touch is what could set our service apart from the others. We can offer people a chance to connect with us and we can authenticate prospects in a way the internet can't. I want our business to help people who are genuinely interested in planning their dream wedding."

"You also need to remember that you'll be running a business," Ben said.

"I realise that fact," Nicole agreed, "but I want it to be a service for people who want to have the wedding of their dreams. We'll be dealing with people's hearts. I want it to be more than about us making money."

"I like that idea," Evette smiled.

"Obviously, we'll need an internet site to advertise our agency and have our clients make initial content with us, but after that initial contact I want to make it more personal."

"Maybe we could interview our clients in person. We could meet them for lunch or coffee and try to get a better understanding of what they need."

"Excellent idea," Evette enthused, as she furiously took notes.

"Let's brainstorm," Nicole suggested as she handed cups of hot sweet tea to Ben and Evette.

She tried to ignore the frisson of tension that pa.s.sed through her when her fingers touched Ben very lightly.

"Whenever I had an idea for a story at the newspaper I'd take fifteen minutes and jot down every thought and random idea that popped into my head. It's an amazing way to clear your brain and get your ideas together in one place without limiting yourself," Nicole continued.

"Ok, let's do it." Evette perched at the end of her seat, her pen poised over her notebook.

"What is wedding planning?" Nicole began.

"I suppose the definition is that wedding planning is the art of planning marriages in fine detail," Evette answered.

They sat until late into the evening bouncing ideas off each other. They were full of enthusiasm and drive for their new business.

"I'll make an appointment to see my bank manager tomorrow and then we can really get started," Nicole decided.

"I don't know about you two but I need to hit the hay. I feel like my brain is fried," Ev groaned, as she tried to stifle a yawn.

"I'm too wired to sleep now," Ben said. "What about you Nicole?"

"I'm not tired either," she said primly. There was something about Ben that made her feel nervous. He had such an aura of masculine energy about him.

"Well, I'm off to my bed. Goodnight you guys."

"'Nite Ev," Ben and Nicole chimed in unison.

"Would you like some wine? I don't about you but I feel like I've earned a gla.s.s after our hard work today," Nicole t.i.ttered hysterically.

She almost jumped off the couch in her haste to avoid sitting too close to Ben. She felt slightly panicky being in the same room alone with him. She didn't know why he made her feel uncomfortable, but he did.

"I'd prefer a beer if you have one," he said easily, as he stretched out his long legs on the couch and flicked on the television.

She had a quick peep in the refrigerator and was relieved to see a few cans of beer shoved at the back.

Pull yourself together woman, she thought as she poured herself a large gla.s.s of cold white wine and took a few deep breaths to calm down. What's wrong with me? I haven't felt this nervous around a man in years.

She was desperately trying to think of something to say, but couldn't think of anything so she took another long sip of her wine and went back into the living room.

"Cheers," Ben said as he opened his beer.

"Cheers," Nicole raised her wine gla.s.s in a toast and spilled some of it on her skirt. She ignored the stain, hoping that Ben wouldn't notice it, but he was already absorbed in the sports news. Nicole sighed.

"Typical man," she thought to herself, sitting back on the couch and beginning to relax a little.

The wine was having the desired effect on her nerves and she was starting to feel a bit more at ease.

"Would you like some more wine?" Ben asked.

"Yes, please," Nicole pa.s.sed him her wine gla.s.s which he promptly refilled.

He helped himself to another beer from the refrigerator.

"I think your business idea is inspired," he said as he plonked himself back down on the couch beside her. "Thank you," she said primly, drinking her wine quickly.

"When do you think you'll venture back on the dating scene?" Ben asked her directly.

She almost choked on her wine.

"I don't know. I haven't really thought about it."

She really hadn't considered moving on with her love life and getting back on the dating scene any time soon. She'd never imagined herself being with anyone except her fiance.

"Paul's a fool if you ask me," Ben said, eyeing her over the top of his beer can.

"Do you think so?" Nicole looked at him curiously.

"Yeah, you're gorgeous," Ben replied, looking at her with his unwavering gaze.

Nicole felt herself blush.

"You're even more gorgeous when you blush," he teased.

"Cigarette?" she asked, shoving the cigarette box in his face.

"Oh, ok." Ben looked stunned. She almost pushed a cigarette up his nose in her haste to cover her embarra.s.sment at his compliment.

"We'll have to smoke outside," she said as she bounced up off the couch.

"Ev hates us smoking in the apartment."

She ran to the balcony and pulled the doors wide open. Ben followed close behind her. The cold night air hit her face and she winced with the shock of it.

"It's a beautiful night." Ben stared up at the stars twinkling in the sky above them.

"Yes. I love cold nights like this when I can see the stars," Nicole shivered slightly.

"Are you cold?" Ben asked gently as he moved closer to her.

He pulled off his sweater and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Thanks," she smiled shyly up at him, breathing in his musky scent.

He smelled of lemon soap and expensive cologne. He held her gaze for a moment and brushed a strand of her hair out of her eyes. He gently touched her face and tipped her chin up. Then he bent to kiss her, all the while stroking her hair. She closed her eyes and felt his soft lips on hers. He kissed her gently; long and slow and pulled her close in his arms.

She could feel his heart beating through his shirt. He held her tight, sliding his arms down her body and pushing himself against her. She moaned softly as his kisses became more urgent. She kissed him back.

She wanted him and she knew that he wanted her. She closed her eyes and indulged herself in his tantalisingly gentle touch.

"I want you," he whispered hoa.r.s.ely.

His eyes were dark with l.u.s.t. She lost herself in his kisses and the heady scent of his cologne.

"Let's go inside," he said, taking her hand in his.

She followed him hesitantly. She began to feel unsure of herself and she couldn't stop thinking about Paul. Every touch and kiss from Ben felt like a betrayal of her ex-fiance.

"I'll be back in a minute," she said. "I need to use the bathroom."

She closed the door softly behind her and locked it.

"What's wrong with me?!" she whispered to herself as she washed her hands and brushed her teeth.

She splashed cold water on her face.

"I can't do this.

The cold water seemed to have woken her up suddenly.

"I don't want to sleep with Ben. It's too soon after Paul."

Paul was the only man she'd kissed or slept with in her life. It didn't feel right to have kissed someone else. Her head was spinning; probably a combination of too much wine and too much flirting.

"How am I going to get out of this?" she asked her reflection in the mirror.

She stayed locked in the bathroom for as long as she could.

"Is everything ok?" Ben asked when she finally re-emerged from her hiding place. "I was about to come looking for you. I thought you might have fallen doen the toilet."

He laughed at his own joke. "I'm fine." Nicole managed to force a weak smile. "I'm going to bed, Ben."

He almost leapt off the couch.

"I'm sorry, Ben, that wasn't an invitation. I don't want to get involved with anyone right now. My head's a mess after my breakup with Paul. I'm sorry."

He looked disappointed.

"There's no need to apologise," he said quickly. "I understand. I know you've been through a lot recently and you're right not to rush yourself."

She walked him to the front door and reached up to kiss him on the cheek.

"You're a gentleman," she smiled.

"Don't tell anyone," he winked at her as he walked towards the elevator.

"It'll be our little secret," she laughed as she closed the door softly behind him.