I move my car to the far end of the parking lot, hoping Cherry doesn't notice it when she pulls up.
Once parked, I turn off the car and watch from a distance as King continues to pace around the gazebo. I truly hope it works out for the fucker. He'll be wrecked if she says no.
I’m nervous all of a sudden as my thoughts shift to my own situation. How horrible it will feel if Xia says no too. If she doesn't care for me in the same way. It will fucking suck, but I think my dad is right. I need to know where I stand with her and I’m tired of this bullshit fear that’s kept me quiet for so long. All I can do is hope that dad is also right about our friendship being strong enough to survive another bout of awkwardness. It sure as hell took the heaviest of hits already.
I glance up at King again, who's now sitting at the table looking down at his phone. The soft lighting makes the entire gazebo glow, causing it to stand out from the dark trees surrounding it. Suddenly, he stands, looking in the opposite direction of my car. Cherry’s headlights grow brighter as she follows the road around the gazebo to the parking lot. Seconds after the car stops, she jumps out. My body goes still as if somehow my movement will draw her eyes in this direction, but she doesn't look this way and I watch as she kisses King excitedly when he approaches.
The idea comes to me slowly at first, then at full speed. King and Cherry walk hand in hand to their seats and I grab my phone, pulling up an internet browser. After making an online reservation, I look back up at the happy couple as they begin pulling stuff from the picnic basket. I pull up Xia's contact and hit call. Go big or stay home, huh? Fuck, I hope she doesn’t think I’m crazy for this.
"Hey," she answers.
"You got a minute?" I ask.
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Are we still on for tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I'm still game," she says. "Why does it sound like you’re whispering?"
I didn't realize I was until now, so I clear my throat and raise my voice. "I'm at the park. King is about to propose."
"What?!" She squeals. "I can't believe I'm missing it."
"He set it up really nicely, too. But listen. I was thinking about tomorrow. There's a lot we need to talk about and I thought it'd be best if we do it somewhere private. Away from our roommates and other distractions. Just us.. "What do you think?"
"Um… okay," she stammers. "I guess that makes sense."
"All right. I'm going to text you the address and I'll meet you there at five."
"Okay, now you're making me nervous," she says.
"I just think… just be there, okay?"
"All right, I'll be there."
We end the call and my pulse soars as I think over my plan. This shit has to go right. But either way, I'll get my answer.
I glance back up to the gazebo to see king and Cherry still eating their meal. There wasn't a lot in the basket so it must be go time soon. This is where he took her on their first date. A picnic in the park with sandwiches and grapes. It doesn't take that long to eat. Looking back at my phone, I pull up Facebook and go to Xia’s page. I can't wait to see her tomorrow. It's been a week, but with the distance between us, it feels a lot longer. My eyes linger on her profile picture. The photo shows her smiling, the light from the camera causing her brown skin to glow, making her smile look even brighter. She's wearing a yellow shirt. Her hair, usually curly, is long and straight as it hangs over her shoulders. She's so damn beautiful. I've stared at this picture many times before, dreaming of a world where I didn't have to hold back. Where I could kiss her when I want. Touch her whenever I want. Show her just how good we could be together. I swipe the screen and begin scrolling through her timeline. I check the gazebo again and my heart skips a beat. Not because the couple is now standing. And not because Cherry is jumping up and down kissing King all over his face. It’s because the first picture on Xia's timeline is of her holding hands with a guy, looking