People eventually start trickling in and music is piped in through speakers scattered throughout the park. I made the playlist because if it had been left up to Daniel, it would have been a “Today’s Hottest Hits” list off Spotify.
I chat with various firm employees, being drunk BFFs with some of them now, and try my damnedest not to be on alert for Ellis. Marcella and her family arrive and I show them around the park. The kids eventually run down to the riverbed and take off their shoes to go wading, which they probably aren’t allowed to do but I take liberties as the girlfriend of the designer.
“They did such an amazing job,” Marcella says to me as we grab some bites from the buffet table.
“Right? I’m so proud,” I say, taking in the gorgeous views again. I spot Sunny, Emoni, and Halmoni in the distance and wave them over.
“Beautiful park!” Sunny says brightly as they approach. “This used to be such a shithole.”
“Sunny!” I say with a laugh and Mar almost chokes on her falafel ball.
“Daniel is very talented,” Halmoni says matter-of-factly, pleased like he’s already her grandson.
“And Ellis and the others,” Mar says pointedly.
Of course, that’s when I spot Ellis. He’s wearing a vintage Western shirt, with the short sleeves cuffed, his hair a little wet from the shower.
In sharp contrast to my reaction to Daniel, I feel everything in me tilt toward him and completely destabilize. What I can’t figure out is whether that’s a good or bad thing.
Two older people join him and I openly stare—they must be his parents: an Asian woman with salt-and-pepper hair pulled into a youthful ponytail, wearing cool wide-leg jeans and a block-print top. Next to her is a white man towering over her, his hair thick and dark and his posture relaxed in light blue chinos and sandals. They are looking at Ellis with what could only be described as adoring pride.
I am staring at them for so long that I eventually make eye contact with Ellis and jolt. When we lock eyes, I feel it in my entire body. I can’t even be embarrassed at being caught staring so I just smile and wave. He gives me a cautious smile back.
“Do you think those are his parents?” I whisper to Marcella, trying to look subtle.
“Yes, and they are so young and stylish,” she says. “As if you needed another reminder that he’s twenty-eight.”
“Idoneed that reminder,” I say before I grab a glass of champagne. Mar looks at me sharply.
Before she can interrogate me, the music stops and Daniel tapsthe mic. “Hi, everyone. Thank you so much for joining us here for the opening of the Frogtown River Park.” People start applauding. He smiles that devastating smile. “I’m Daniel Nam-Watson, the head of Watson and Associates—” Here, everyone at the firm starts cheering wildly and he gives the crowd a second as he grins. “The best landscape architecture firm in all the land, obviously. Please take a look at the people around you and givethema round of applause for creating this brilliant, beautiful place.”
We do, heartily, as the crowd is made up of mostly friends and family of the firm, alongside the official folk. Marcella shouts, “Hottest architectsever!” to nervous laughter. Who needs embarrassing Korean aunts when you have this kind of best friend?
Daniel talks about the design choices of the park and then a few city officials declare how important this park will be to the city and future plans for the community. Again, I feel a surge of pride for Daniel and the entire firm. I try my best not to look around at the crowd, not wanting to risk eye contact with Ellis again.
Then Daniel gets back on the mic and says, “We’re so proud to unveil the park today because, as many of you know, this has been quite the journey. This firm and our clients have put up with my endless ideas and my, ah, fastidious vision.” His employees laugh knowingly. “Like with everything else, I had very specific plans for this park and could see the future so clearly in my mind.” He looks straight at me, the corner of his mouth lifting up, his eyes twinkling. A look that would normally set my pants on fire. But this time, when my heart is beating, it’s not with romantic anticipation. I find my gaze moving—roving over the crowd until it finds Ellis. He seems to feel my eyes on him, because he looks up.
I go where the wind takes me.
Who is the person to best navigate the chaos of life with? Do I want a relationship that feels like a slow, steady burn—one full ofshared passions and big plans? Or do I want one that feels electric and unexpected—digging my bare hands into the dirt and accepting life’s surprises?
The music comes back, snapping me out of it, and the Park women start making their way out.
“I can barely hear anything,” Halmoni complains.
“And I have to catch the shuttle to the casino,” Emoni says as she grabs a shrimp skewer.
Sunny gives me a hug. “Enjoy tonight, okay?” She pauses a beat. “Don’t overthink it, just go with how you feel.”
I nod and hug her back. “Thanks, Sunny. And thank you all for coming, it means a lot.”
After they leave, we start the cocktail portion of the evening just as the sun sets. There’s a dip in the temperature and the heat lamps are turned on. While I’m grabbing some drinks for myself and Daniel, I feel a tap on my shoulder. It’s the woman who was with Ellis earlier.
She smiles warmly at me. “Hi, I just wanted to say hello. I’m Ellis’s mom, Christina. Are you Cassia?” she asks, holding out a hand. Christina has one of those faces that has seen a lifetime of smiles and sunshine. Age spots on her high cheekbones, fine lines by her eyes and mouth. She’s beautiful.
I fumble to put the drinks back down to shake her hand. “Yes! Nice to meet you.”
“We’ve heard a lot about you,” she says. Then she adds, “All good, by the way. Ellis would kill me for saying any of this to you.”
