Page 69 of For the Love of Art

“Where are we going?”

“We only have two days here, and you said you’d never been to San Francisco. I thought you’d like to see it.”

“Seems like a tall order when we have somewhere to be tomorrow, and it’s already almost dinner,” I said.

“That’s why I have a plan to kill two birds with one stone.”

I scrunched my face. “I hate that saying.”

“Why?”

“It’s not exactly animal friendly,” I said.

I inwardly cringed. For every normal moment we had on this trip, I seemed to find some way to make it awkward.

“Got it. No animal analogies.”

“Right.”

I turned my attention back to the front window to see a familiar looking bridge.

I looked over at Nathan. “I thought you said there would be food. I may not have traveled much, but I know enough to know that this is a super crowded area with no food.”

Nathan clicked his tongue. “Ye of little faith.”

I scoffed, then looked back out the window. The shadows of the cables danced along my skin in the evening sun. Outside the window, blue water shimmered beautifully beneath us. Small ripples moved across the vast expanse almost in uniformity. My gaze moved outwards, where the earth kissed the sky, a true beauty I often forgot to enjoy when looking at the ocean back home.

The driver pulled into a parking lot lined with an array of vehicles. He found a spot and gracefully pulled in, the brakes squeaking ever so slightly as he came to a complete stop.

“You coming?” Nathan asked as he opened his door.

I smiled and followed him out. A breeze blew the hem of my dress, threatening to lift it. I placed my hand on the fabric as a precaution.

A slam made me jump. I looked to my left and saw Nathan holding a picnic basket.

“You’re good to walk, right?” he asked.

“Yeah, of course.”

“Let’s go.”

I followed Nathan down a path. It was busy with people coming and going. The trail eventually opened up to a cliff with a spectacular view of the bridge.

“Wow!” I couldn’t hide my wonderment.

“Come on.” Nathan nudged me with his elbow.

He led us to a flat spot covered with a bit of vegetation. He pulled a blanket out of the basket and laid it flat before gesturing for me to sit. I neatly tucked my skirt beneath me as I sat.

Nathan produced two champagne flutes from the basket and handed them to me. He then pulled out a bottle of champagne.

“Is this legal?” I asked.

Nathan shrugged as he popped the cork and then filled the two glasses.

I looked around, taking in the beautiful scene before me as I sipped the sweet, bubbly drink. When I looked down at the blanket again, Nathan had arranged a platter of cheese, crackers, and fruit.

I laughed. “Trying to remind me of what I left for the gallery?”