Jennifer Edwards pulled her car into the parking lot next to a beach and parked. It had been a long trip. She was fresh into town, having just moved here from New York to take a job. She had been driving for two days and only stopping for gas, meals, and to sleep.
She had hoped to see the ocean before it got too dark.
As she stared at the waves, she could feel an overwhelming sense of peace.
She heard her cellphone ringing in her purse, and dug it out.
"Hello?"
"Hello sweetheart. It's Pa. How is your trip going?"
"Wonderful, Pa. I just arrived in California, and I'm sitting in a parking lot looking at the ocean".
"I see. Do you know where your apartment is?"
"I have the directions, I'm sure I can find it".
"Wonderful. Well, I love you, call me when you get settled. Be careful, you don't know what you're getting into with those California Freaks, sweetheart".
"I love you too, Pa".
She hung up and was just about to put her phone in her purse, when it rang again.
"Hello?"
"Jennifer? Hey, it's Mandy."
"Hey! Guess what?"
"What?"
"We are officially in the same state as each other".
"Yay! Where are you?"
"I'm in Los Angeles, I think. Oh wait, nope. I'm in Santa Monica. I'm at the public beach, at the overlook just off the Pacific Coast Highway".
"What? You're like 10 minutes from me. Hang on, I'm coming your way".
"Great".
They stayed on the phone, till Jennifer saw Mandy pull into the parking lot.
She climbed out of her car and headed towards Mandy's.
"Hi! I'm so glad to see you!"
"Hey stranger!"
They shared a warm hug.
"So strange to be in the same state as you and not for a visit."
"I know! From college roommates to living in the same town".
"Well, now that you are here, want to go with me to find my apartment?"
"Sure".
Jennifer handed her the piece of paper with the name of the complex on it.
"Oh, this is a great location. Follow me".
"Right behind you".
Jennifer followed Mandy to the complex, and was so pleased that it was just minutes away from the beach.
Jennifer and Mandy headed inside the leasing office. After Jennifer signed all the papers, they took the keys and headed to her apartment.
She had an apartment all the way at the back.
"Now, this unit is very, very special. Here's why. You are in the back, where it's quiet. It's shaded, so your apartment won't get hot. And since you are the last building, you have an ocean view, not a view of another building. Also, your patio downstairs, has a gate that connects to the neighborhood walking trail, that will take you to the ocean".
"Wonderful".
Jennifer's apartment was very modern-it was more like a townhouse than an apartment.
"And you have a garage, directly underneath".
"Even better".
"Here is your garage door opener, and all of your appliances are new, the manuals are right here. Here is our business card, don't hesitate to call us if you need something".
"Thank you, so much".
Mandy stayed and helped Jennifer bring her things inside, and then they ordered pizza.
"Jennifer, when is your stuff getting here?"
"Two days."
"Where are you going to sleep?"
"Well, I have an air mattress with me, and I plan to sleep on that till my mattress comes."
"Nonsense. Come stay with me".
"Ok".
They unpacked as much as they could, and then Jennifer packed a bag and followed Mandy to her house.
"So, when do you start the new job?"
"Next Tuesday".
"And what will you be doing?"
"I'll be a staff reporter, but I'm not sure what the specifics are just yet".
"Great. Well, what do you say to us continuing our Saturday tradition?"
"I say great, let's move it to Thursday".
"You got it".
"We should be able to find suitable lunch spots for us. And if we ever went for brunch, brunch and a movie here is just as good as brunch and a movie back in New York, if not better".
"Wonderful. So, when do I get to meet this hot boyfriend of yours?"
"As soon as I do. As far as the last one, we broke up".
"I'm sorry, I thought you guys were a sure-thing".
"Yeah, me too. But he wasn't interested in a commitment and I am".
"Well, at least you found out now".
"Yeah, after wasting 4 years of my life waiting on him to propose".
"4 years? Was it really that long?"
"Yes. Our actual relationship was 4 years, 6 months, 3 weeks and 5 days. I knew after 4 months that I was in love with him, and after 6 months that I wanted to marry him. But he wouldn't discuss it at all".
"Well, it's his loss".
"I agree".
"So, I was invited to a Christmas party that my boss is throwing next week. Want to go with me?"
"Are you sure it's alright?"
"I'm sure. There's usually a ton of people there. He always says the more the merrier. It's free food and booze, why not go?"
"Sure. I suppose it would be a good way to meet people. When is it?"
"Next weekend. And it's dressy, but not formal or anything".
"Perfect. My things should be here by then, and I should be settled enough to feel comfortable going. And if I'm not settled enough, I'm sure I'll need a break".
"Great! There are usually hot, single lawyers there too. Maybe we will both find someone to meet us under the mistletoe".
***Three Days Later***
Jennifer was enjoying her morning coffee out on her upstairs balcony. Her favorite feature about her new place was that her bedroom had a balcony with French doors. From her balcony, she could see the ocean. It quickly became her favorite place to have her morning coffee.
She was just about to get up and go start on unpacking her boxes when she saw him. Her complex backed up to a neighborhood. The street behind hers was a dead-end. This man lived in the last house on the left. He was taking his garbage cans to the street, and he was doing it in gym shorts and no t-shirt. A few minutes later, she heard the familial sound of the lawn mower start up. For the next 20 minutes, she watched as he cut the grass. She couldn't make out his features any further than he had dark wavy hair and a good physique. She wanted to get her binoculars, but she had no earthly idea where they were. And what if he saw her? That would be most awkward.
After about 20 minutes, she got up and headed inside.
'If I can see him every morning, then surely my days will be ok'.
***A Week Later***
Jennifer was at home, getting ready for the Christmas Party with Mandy.
Her apartment was mostly in order, but she still had a few boxes here and there.
She had decided to wear black pants, black heels, and a sparkly green sweater top, with flecks of gold.
She had just finished her makeup when Mandy arrived.
"Hi, you look gorgeous!"
Mandy was wearing a red sweater dress and black boots.
"So do you, hottie".
"Ha. You're sweet".
Jennifer sprayed on some perfume, and then they headed out.
"Ok, so the lawyer who is throwing this party is James Monroe. He and his wife Laura throw this party every year. It started as an office party, and now it's kind of grown into an office/friends/anyone who wants to come party. Once you're on the list, you're on the list".
"Interesting concept".
"Yeah, I think it was a thing where they were throwing an office party and a friend's party and it just got to be too much, so they just combined it. It's always an open bar and a huge catered affair".
"Nice".
"How's your new job?"
"Well, the Los Angeles Times is certainly not the New York Times, but I like it. It's a slower change of pace, and has a more homey, cozier feel".
"What are you doing there?"
"Well, I'm going to be writing some articles and maybe have my own column, but nothing is for sure yet".
They pulled up to the house and valet parked.
"Thank you", Mandy told the valet.
"Certainly, Ma'am".
Jennifer noticed that Mandy was giving him a flirtatious smile.
They headed to the door and rang the doorbell.
"This is some house! I swear you could fit 4 of my apartments on the driveway alone".
"Wait till you see the inside".
The door opened and a cheerful blonde lady was standing on the other side.
"Laura, hello! This is my friend, Jennifer Edwards. Jennifer, this is Laura Monroe, my boss' wife".
"Hi, it's lovely to meet you".
"Likewise, dear. Come on in, and make yourself at home".
Jennifer looked around the room. There were people everywhere. Some were talking, others were just drinking. Some were eating, and loud music was playing. There was a bar on the other side of the room and the bartenders were pouring trays of drinks.
"Let's get a plate".
"After you".
They headed to the food table and made themselves a plate, and then headed to the sunroom to eat.
Mandy started to mingle with people from the office, and before she knew it, Jennifer was by herself.
A nice brunette lady came and sat next to her.
"Is this seat taken?"
"No, help yourself".
"Thank you".
They silently ate for a few minutes.
"These meatballs are really good".
"Yeah, they are".
"Hi, I'm Susan Kendall".
"Hi, I'm Jennifer Edwards, nice to meet you".
"So how do you know James and Laura?"
"I don't. I'm friends with one of James' employees, Mandy Atkinson".
"Oh, the cute blonde in the red sweater dress? She's so sweet".
"Yes, she is".
"Have you ever been to one of their parties?"
"No, I actually just moved here last week".
"I see. Well, they are very fun. In about an hour or so, they will have a contest of some sort for door prizes. And they are good door prizes, not lame door prizes".
"Good to know".
They chatted a little while longer, and then James started telling everyone to come into the living room for the contest.
After everyone was assembled, the contest started.
"Ok, everyone, we are going to play Trivia this year for our annual game. And it will be general trivia, not law trivia. So, we are going to pass around light up buttons, and it's pretty simple, if you know the answer, hit your button. Each right answer gets the point value for that question. Person at the end with the most points, or the person who reaches 100 points first, wins."
Everyone got their button ready.
"Ok, here we go. First question, for 10 points.
"What is the capital city of Peru?"
Jennifer lit up her button.
James called on a few people and they all got it wrong.
"Ok, the redhead in the back, what's your answer?"
"Lima".
"Correct! Next question. Who wrote "Our Man in Havana"?
Jennifer lit her button.
James called on a blonde who answered Shakespeare.
"No, I'm sorry. That's incorrect".
He then pointed to a very handsome man sitting off to Jennifer's right. He had broad shoulders and dark hair and very striking features.
"William Congreve".
"I'm sorry, that's incorrect".
He pointed to Jennifer.
"Graham Greene".
"Correct! Ok, next question. What is the third sign of the Zodiac?"
Jennifer lit her button, and so did almost everyone else.
He called on someone who said Capricorn.
"No, I'm sorry, that's incorrect. If you also said Capricorn, please turn your button off".
They continued through a few more people, and then Jennifer was called on.
"Gemini".
"Yes! Three in a row!"
Susan came and sat next to Jennifer.
"Ok, if I ever play trivia, I want you on my team".
Jennifer smiled at her.
"You're sweet".
"Ok, next question. What is the name of the largest island in the Canary Islands?"
Jennifer thought a moment and then lit her button.
"Jonathan, what say you?" it took Jennifer a moment to figure out who Jonathan was. She was happy to find out that he was the dark-haired man from earlier.
"Gran Canaria".
Jennifer started shaking her head.
Jonathan looked over at her.
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to call you out, but I'm positive the answer is Gran Canaria".
"And I'm positive it's not".
"Ma'am, what's your name?"
"Jennifer".
"Jennifer, what say you?"
"Tenerife".
Jonathan spoke up again.
"Tenerife? You can't be serious. That might pass for the smallest island in the Canary Islands, but it definitely won't pass for the biggest".
"Have you ever been to the Canary Islands?"
"Yes, actually. When I was in the Navy".
"Tell me something, did you leave the ship?"
"Very funny. I know what I'm talking about".
"And so do I! The answer is Tenerife".
"The answer is Gran Canaria. You're going to feel stupid, but hey if you're committed to that answer, I applaud your sense of commitment".
She gave him a pointed look and then looked back at James.
"The correct answer is….Tenerife".
Everyone clapped for her.
Jennifer answered the next 4 questions correctly.
"Ok, so point totals. If Jennifer answers another question correctly, she will be the first person to get to 100. Everyone else who has answered have 8 points each".
"Ok, next question. Which is the highest waterfall in the world?"
Jennifer thought a moment and then lit her button.
Jonathan lit his too.
"Jonathan, what say you?"
"Tugela Falls, in South Africa".
Again, she shook her head.
"Jennifer, what say you?"
"The correct answer is Angel Falls, in Venezuela". For added emphasis, she made sure to pronounce the word "Venezuela" with her Spanish accent.
"Does anyone else have a different answer?"
Nobody spoke up.
"Ok, the correct answer is….Angel Falls in Venezuela. Congratulations Jennifer, come pick a door prize".
She made her way to the front of the room and drew an envelope out of the basket.
"Ok, open it and see what it is".
She opened it and pulled out a piece of paper.
"Two tickets on the 50-yard line to the Los Angeles Rams/Dallas Cowboys football game here in Los Angeles next year".
Jonathan stood up.
"What? That's the hottest game of the year!"
She turned to him.
"Is it? I wouldn't know. I'm not a football fan".
She could tell Jonathan was jealous.
"Ok, Jonathan, come pick your consolation prize".
He made his way up there and picked another envelope.
"Two tickets to the Los Angeles Opera House for their Summer Opera Festival".
Jennifer was suddenly jealous that he had gotten that and she hadn't.
She made her way back to her seat, and they started the next game.
After that game was over, James and Laura announced one more game.
Jennifer chose to sit that one out and went and got another drink.
She and Mandy were just about to leave when they were approached by Susan Kendall.
"Hey, before you go, can you give me your phone number? I'm thinking of having a girl's night and I want to make sure you two attend".
"Certainly".
Jennifer wrote down her phone number and gave it to her.
"It was so nice talking to you and meeting you. Merry Christmas".
"Oh, thank you sweetie. I feel the same. Merry Christmas to you too".
They shared a hug and then she and Mandy headed home.
As soon as they were in the car, Jennifer turned to Mandy.
"Ok, who was the guy that kept challenging my answers?"
"That's Jonathan, a friend of James and Laura's. I've met him a few times. He can be very stubborn".
"I noticed".
"He has this reputation of a playboy. But it's weird. I mean, when you go to a bar, and you meet a playboy, you can always just tell they are a playboy, you know? Jonathan has that reputation, but then every time I talk to him, he's not like that. I can't explain it really".
"Well, that's good to know, I guess".
Mandy dropped Jennifer off at her apartment, and then headed home, promising to call her tomorrow.
Jennifer came inside and headed to bed, replaying the party in her head as she fell asleep.
***Jonathan***
Jonathan came inside his house and tossed his keys on the credenza.
"Hey Mr. H. How was the party?"
"Good, Max. I had a nice time".
He took his jacket off and hung it up in the coat closet.
"What's her name, Mr. H.?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Mr. H., it's me. I've known you since you was a young shaver. I can read you like a book. What's her name?"
"Jennifer, I think".
"You think she's interested?"
"I honestly have no idea, Max. I don't even know if I'm ever going to see her again or how to contact her".
"If it's meant to be, it will work itself out, Mr. H."