Carmen navigated the New York streets with ease as she made her way to the address Owen had texted her. When she finally arrived, she almost walked right past it.

The property was so large she couldn't even see the house.

When Carmen finally found the button by the gate, Owen's voice greeted her over the speaker. "Hello, Carmen. I'll send Henry out to get you if you can wait a moment."

What is the other option?

"Yeah, I can wait." Carmen paced in front of the gate, waiting for Henry. Whoever Henry was.

"Ms. Morales?" the man, Henry, asked as he approached the gate on foot. "If you would follow me, Mr. Galloway is expecting you."

Have I just walked into a period piece again? I wish I still had that yellow dress.

Carmen followed Henry up a long pathway towards the house. When she came through the last set of trees and could finally see the whole house at once, she froze and stared at it, trying to take it all in.

When Carmen's heels stopped clicking on the pavement, Henry turned to face her. "Is something the matter, Miss?"

"No, nothing's the matter. Sorry, Henry."

"Not at all, Ma'am," Henry continued walking as Carmen fell into step behind him once again.

The house, if you could call it a house, was massive. It could easily have been a castle for its size, though it was far more ornate than any castle she had ever seen. The white columns lining the front of the house were only overshadowed by the obscene amount of windows.

After climbing the stone steps outside, Henry led Carmen through the large wooden doors and into a sparkling, expansive foyer. There was so much to look at that Carmen struggled to keep her eyes in one place.

"Hello Carmen!" Owen came around the corner from the back of the room and hugged her. "You look lovely."

Henry disappeared up a set of stairs after Owen thanked him, and then Owen and Carmen were left alone.

"I thought I might make you dinner this evening," he smiled as she explored the room with her eyes. "I've been cooking for hours, so please don't say no."

When Carmen and Owen got to the dining room, Henry had already brought the food up from the kitchen, which was apparently in the basement. Of course it was.

"This looks delicious, Henry," Carmen spoke as he left the room. "Thank you."

Henry's snicker and Owen's agape mouth told Carmen she had misinterpreted. "You cooked this?" she pointed at the food.

"I did," he pulled out a chair for her. "And I'd be honoured if you'd join me."

Carmen took her seat as Owen served dinner. "Now, before you get too excited," he poured her a glass of wine, "it only has three courses."

"Oh, yes," Carmen put on her best accent. "Well, anything under four courses is really beneath me, so."

The twinkle in Owen's eye as he smiled was more than Carmen could have hoped for when she thought up her joke.

The conversation quickly fell into its natural rhythm until Carmen decided she needed to tell Owen about her work updates.

"I don't know exactly what I want, but I know I want to keep performing," Carmen finished as she put down her fork. "So I'm really excited about the whole Beaksmith thing. I'm glad to be away from John, but I'm also actually really excited about working for Eva."

There was a pause as Owen nodded.

"So that's the plan," Carmen finished her story. "I have almost two weeks off now so I don't know what I'm going to do with all my newfound free time."

"You will probably come see me in the cafe and run around a lot, like you always do," he smiled before looking back down at his lap. "Or, well, maybe something else."

His shyness was evident by the blush creeping into his face. The feeling was familiar to Carmen, who had always felt shy in front of everyone.

"Probably I will," she smiled as his eyes met hers.

"I'd like that," Owen blushed.

"Me, too," Carmen shrugged. "So, what's next now that we've finished dessert?"

Owen's eyes threatened to pop out his head at Carmen's question. "I, uh-" he stuttered.

"I'm joking," Carmen stood up from the table. "I was thinking maybe a nice walk. It looks like you have some space for it out there?" Carmen gestured to the garden behind the house.

Owen regained his composure almost immediately and stood up to join her. "I'd love to show it to you," he said, leading her to a door on the side of the house.

As soon as they stepped outside, the chill in the air bit at Carmen's exposed skin, causing her to shiver.

"Do you want me to get you a sweater?" Owen asked, noticing her shivering. "You'll probably be more comfortable."

"I think I saw a blanket on the couch in there," Carmen pointed to a living room they had just walked through. "I'm sure that will work."

Owen quickly grabbed it and draped it around Carmen's shoulders. As they walked in silence, Carmen allowed herself to admire the beautifully lit garden and savour the feeling of Owen's arm around her shoulders.

"So, Carmen?" Owen broke the silence and led her to a nearby stone bench. "I know this might be something you have to think about, but I'm wondering if you might consider accompanying me to this party my parents are throwing next week."

"Is it a big party?" Carmen asked, nervous about who she might have to impress.

"Fairly sizable, yes," Owen admitted with a nod. "But it's for my birthday, and I'd really like to be there. With you." Owen paused before finishing his thought, "As my girlfriend." He looked down at his lap and twisted his hands as he waited for her answer.

"I think I could do that," Carmen put her head on Owen's shoulder. "As long as I don't have to eat any of those gross appetizers. I'm sorry, but I think your mom needs a new chef."

Owen laughed, "Really? You would?"

"Yes," Carmen giggled.

"And I agree," Owen kissed the top of Carmen's head, "My mother does need a new chef. Perhaps you can help me convince her."

"I can try," Carmen nestled her head into the crook of Owen's arm and looked up through the canopy of trees toward the stars.

"It's beautiful," she breathed.

"Yes," he smiled and kissed the top of her head.

She tilted her head back to look up at him and was met instead with his lips, kissing where the top of her head used to be. Why not? She raised her head a little more until her lips met his. Butterflies danced in her belly as he reached his arm up around her back and pulled her closer, kissing her again.

I'm going to like being his girlfriend.

Neither one of them wanted to break the kiss, but Carmen's shiver brought them back to reality.

"We should get you inside before you freeze to death," Owen stood up and offered Carmen his hand.

She could only nod as he led her back towards the house.