Sabrina looked over her work, making sure everything was perfect. She’d chosen a secluded spot in the park, shaded by a large willow tree. She’d prepared some brie cheese, baked in a flaky crust, fresh French bread and a fruit salad. There were two carafes beside her, one filled with passion fruit juice, the other with water.
Sabrina breathed deeply. Everything was fine. Everything would be just fine. Josh would be here soon and they would have a wonderful, romantic picnic. She laughed at herself for feeling so nervous. It’s not like this was their first date. But it would be their first date in over a month.
Sabrina rolled her eyes as she heard the shrill ring of her cell phone. She glanced at the caller ID. “Hi Josh.” “Hey Bri. How are you?” “I’m fine, where are you? I’ve got everything ready.” “I’m at the airport. The Today show called. They’re doing a segment on young singers and John Mayer cancelled, so I’ll be on tomorrow morning. I’m really sorry, Bri, but I can’t pass this up.” “Can I come with you?” “The flight’s leaving in a few minutes. I’m just going to sleep in New York, sing and come right back." “But I…” “Bri, they’ve just announced last call, I’ve got to go. I’m really sorry, sweetheart. I love you.” “Love you too.” Sabrina sighed and flipped her phone shut. “Dammit!” She honestly thought that moving to LA would mean she’d see Josh more often. It was a sacrifice on her part, but their relationship was worth it. It turned out that Josh was always so busy, she may as well have gone to Italy as planned.
“Look out!” A flying football whizzed past her ear, just missing her head. “I’m so sorry, are you all right?” The voice belonged to the most attractive man she’d ever seen. He was a little over six feet, with shoulder length blond hair, which was pulled back into a ponytail. His skin was tanned to a nice bronze. He wore a sleeveless UCLA shirt and shorts, which exposed a muscular physique. His eyes were sort of a smoky brown, and his lips were full and sensuous. In short, he just stepped out of a Gap ad.
“I’m fine.” He looked just past her. “I’m afraid my ball landed in your fruit salad.” Sabrina forced a smile as she fished the ball from the bowl. “I’m so sorry for ruining your picnic.” “Don’t worry about it. This was ruined long ago.” Sabrina started packing everything away as her Gap boy turned to join his friends. “I know this is none of my business, but whoever he is, he’s crazy for standing you up.” He broke into a jog before she could thank him. Gap boy had just become the best part of her day.
Sabrina went to her apartment and took a long comforting bath. Otis Redding sang sweetly from her stereo. “I’ll be the ocean, so deep and wide, and catch all the tears whenever you cry. I’ll be the breeze after the storm is gone, to dry your eyes and love you ohhh, that’s how strong my love is…”
She changed into her pajamas and watched ‘Gone with the Wind’ on TV. She wondered what her Gap boy was going now. She wondered what he studied at UCLA. She knew she was silly for thinking about him, but it was rare to come across a man that strikingly handsome.
Sabrina climbed into bed and was almost asleep when the phone rang. “Hello.” Josh’s serenaded: “You’re just too good to be true. Can’t take my eyes off of you. You’d be like heaven to touch. I wanna hold you so much. At long last love has arrived and I thank God I’m alive. You’re just too good to be true. Can’t take my eyes off you.” “Hi sweetie. How was your flight?” “Fine, I’m in my hotel room now, I just had to call you before I went to bed. I’m so sorry about this. I promise I’ll make it up to you.” “Damn straight you will.” They laughed. “Good luck tomorrow, I’ll be watching.” “Thanks. I love you, Bri.” “I love you too. Goodnight.”
Sabrina reached for the pillow next to her, inhaling Josh’s scent. It
was a silly habit, but it made her miss him a little less. Moments like the
one they just shared made everything worth it. ‘Italy, shmitaly’
she thought. She had Josh, and that was worth everything.
