-

I had been to St. Andrew Park, hundreds of times. 

It was the perfect place to think and talk and breathe and listen.

An expanse of lush green decorated by open spaces filled with wild vibrant flowers and chirping birds that I've never seen up close.

But for all her beauty, truth is, I most like St. Andrew Park for the way the sun streaks through the leaves of towering trees casting dappled shadows on sunny days.

Those shadows made it easy for a lone awkward coffee barista on a twenty-minute break blend in amongst groups of planned picnics and family football matches.

Sheltering shadows made St. Andrew Park the calm in the middle of New York's storm. 

Although with Alice standing over a pond that glistened like thousands of diamonds, the park never did feel so peaceful.    

Wow wow wow.

The sun rays dance against her warm skin as if God himself decided that only she deserves his light.

It's like she's hypnotizing me with her every move but I'm far too mesmerized to dare move towards her. 

So, I do what I do best, I admire her from afar.

-

She's smiling so brightly, tossing crumbs into the pond, where ducks flock to her the way I wish I could - without caution.

Soon she strolls to a nearby bench, sitting down as she pulls out her cell phone from her coat pocket.

She glances at the screen a couple of times before looking to her watch and sighing deeply.

Like a light switch it finally clicks to me, she's waiting on somebody, she's waiting on me. 

I take in a deep breath, pulling in all the air and courage I can because I know when her warm brown eyes meet mine, I'll lose it all. 

"You weren't lying when you said you had ducks expecting you. You wouldn't happen to run a shelter for missing and exploited ducks, would you?" I muse.

At the sound of my voice, she jumps slightly in her seat, placing her hand over her chest before quickly regaining her composure.

Alice's whole face lights up, her lips spreading into a breath-taking smile and surely she's stolen my breath away once again.

"Why yes, in the criminal justice system, duck based offences are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated duck caretakers are members of an elite task squad, known as the Special Ducks Unit." she quips without missing a beat.

I find myself laughing so hard, that I can't stop, my breathe comes in quick gasps and only grows as Alice's laughter joins in the space between us. 

When my laughter finally subdues, I glide onto the bench, sitting next to her. "Big Law and Order fan?"

"The biggest and don't ever question it." She states proudly as she shifts closer, her knee resting against mine in the process.

For a second, my mind and everything around us goes still. I don't think I know how to function at her close proximity.

There's nothing between us and I have to bury my hands in my lap to stop from holding her, right then and there.

"Johnny, for a minute there...I thought you bailed on me." Alice's lips curve upwards into a faint smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.

It makes me wonder who in their right mind wouldn't show up for Alice Carter?

"I'm sorry, I made a stop. I didn't want to show up empty-handed." I reach into the pocket of my jacket, pulling out a small round bag labelled duck pellets and handing it to her.

"It's not much, I got it from a vendor at the front of the park..."

Her eyes widen and soon she takes the bag from my hand, her fingers lightly brushing against my own, sending goosebumps all along my arms. 

Slowly Alice glances from the bag to me before she hurls her slim arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight hold. Almost instantly my arms wrap around her waist, pulling her closer as if we had done this a thousand times before. 

"I really like feeding the ducks, thank you."

I hear the words that leave her plump lips but all I can focus on is the feel of her in my arms. 

As we pull away, our eyes meet and I suddenly feel shy at the emotions displayed so clearly on my face. 

Slowly she tilts her head to the side, a small amused smile playing on her lips as her eyes twinkle with mischief.

Alice reaches forward, bumping her shoulder gently against my own. "Gee Johnny, it's official, if we really are going to be friends, I'm going to need at least ten words out of you every 5 minutes or so." And there it is, her laugh, as sweet as honey.

I laugh, relaxing against the bench as my nerves begin to melt away. "I think I can do that."

She leans down slightly, her posture mirroring my own. "Well, good. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

"I think so too." I peek down at her, taking the opportunity to look at her every feature, from the slight crinkle at the side of her eyes to the slow and gentle rise of her chest.

I've never felt this way before.

"I don't think your exploited ducks are getting enough attention." I stand up, pulling her along with me to the bank of the pond, where we toss food to the more than pleased ducks.

Soon minutes turn to hours of mindless chatter and the sun begins to set and it's time to say goodbye to my dream girl.

We walk side by side, through the exit of the park, our footsteps far from in sync but together all the same.

As we pull up to a crossroad, Alice steps forward pointing her thumb to the road on the left. "I'm this way."

I nod and point towards the road on the right. "Well, I'm this way."

"I'll see you, Monday? Around two-thirty at the coffee shop?" I question, a bit too much eagerness seeping into my words but I'm desperate for reassurance.

"You can count on it. Two-thirty on the dot at Sam's." She smiles widely, before turning to leave.

I stand and watch her slow and careful footsteps until she's disappeared altogether. 

As I turn to walk down my own path, my jaw begins to ache from smiling too wide.