Kirsten moved into the empty spot on my blanket, "Sit down, you two, and talk to each other." They descended upon the vacant blanket.
     Em handed me a portion of tiramisu, "Dessert time!"
     "You've spoiled me, and I'm going to have to outdo you in return, you know," I said.
     Jin-young and 'Henry' were chattering away. Kirsten was eating what smelled like a spicy thai pasta salad, Jin-young's portion not yet touched.
     "How's your new gig as a nurse practicioner?" I asked her.
     "It's utter chaos. What every one says is true: there are never enough nurses on staff, and there's always that one doctor that rubs you the wrong way. But it pays so much better than being a medical assistant, so I can't complain too much."
     Our gaze was soon directed to the parks staff setting up the movie screen and projector. Other groups and families were pulling into the parking lot and staking out their spots. I glanced over at 'Henry' and Jin-young. Who'd have known they were thick as thieves. And what a dynamic pair they looked, staring off into the distance like that; both devastatingly handsome, but in two very different ways.
     Angela was tired of sitting quietly, "Henry, come introduce me to your handsome friend."
     Kirsten glared at her, but Angela didn't seem to notice. He got up and Jin-young followed him the few steps to where Angela was seated.
     "This is my best friend, 'J.' It's pretty funny that his name goes with his call number," 'Henry' laughed.
     "I did that on purpose," Kirsten whispered to me.
     "Nice to meet you," Jin-young smiled wide and held out a hand.
     Angela shook it with both hands, not letting go, "My, what a beautiful face. I'd never imagined such a man was possible. Good for you, Kirsten."
     His hand had gone limp in hers, but she was still holding it, smiling at his face, looking at his milk colored skin. 'Henry' had a complexion that was just as nice, albeit a little more like condensed milk than heavy cream. Em was staring at him just as hard as Angela was.
     "Jin-young, the movie is going to start soon and you haven't touched your food yet," Kirsten interrupted.
     He pulled his hand away from Angela and sat down on the blanket, digging into his food. He ate as if he forgot how hungry he was. 'Henry' sat next to him again. The sun had dipped halfway below the horizon, the sky a smear of colors.
     "Henry, you didn't finish your food either, honey," Angela entreated.
     "It's fine, I'm not hungry anymore."
     "You're so wasteful," she complained.
     He ignored her, talking to Jin-young more about their new lives. Angela huffed and started finishing what 'Henry' didn't want. Em put all the empty containers back in their basket, and handed Angela a mini bottle of wine to ease the tension.
     "I need to go to the restroom before things get started," Kirsten remarked, "Walk with me."
    We heaved up and began the stroll to the bathrooms, a standalone brick-and-mortar building to the back of the park. It was hands down the nicest park in our town.
     Once the others were out of earshot, Kirsten stepped a bit closer to me, "So what happened that night you texted me?"
     "I told you what happened. He showed up in a state I could hardly believe, after she'd whisked him off to the lab."
     "I know that part. I'm talking about after you contacted me. Or maybe before. I don't know when it happened, but something did, judging by how you look at him."
     "He kissed me. A lot. Okay?"
     We entered the ladies room, "I knew it."
     "So did Em."
     Kirsten disappeared into a stall while I checked my makeup in the mirror. "How did she know before me?"
     "How are you not concerned about Angela?"
     "That relationship didn't have a snowball's chance."
     "If you know so much Kirsten, why didn't you warn her, then?"
     "Well when she was talking about it, I don't think I really gave it much thought. But when I saw him, I knew it would never work. There's nothing between them, you can see it."
     "She seems to think there is."
     Kirsten came out to wash her hands, "You seem really distressed by that. I wouldn't worry too much. The same thing happened to me in college, actually. I was nuts over a guy, analyzing everything to death, clinging to his every gesture, making myself believe he truly liked me."
     "So what happened?"
     "Oh, he didn't like me. He started dating one of my sorority sisters the same day I was going to ask him on a date."  She dried her hands and threw away the crumpled paper towels.
     "That must have crushed you," I replied.
     "That's what crushes do. The only difference in Angela's case would be that he lives in her house."
     We exited the restroom and saw Henry and Jin-young, stopped mid way to the restroom by some college girls, who were getting a little too chummy for Kirsten's comfort. She visibly shifted.
     "Jealous?"
     "Annoyed, really. This happens all the time, and he's such a polite thing."
     'Henry' caught my glance and left the conversation mid sentence, walking toward us. 
    "You know, there's no way she can see you two from there," Kirsten elbowed me. Jin-young politely took his leave from the group of girls and trotted over to Kirsten. "We'll wait for you a few minutes, then we'll all walk back together."
     "Wait, how do you know about... us?" 'Henry' looked from me to Kirsten, "I only just told J."
     "I was born a day, and today was not that day," remarked Kirsten. Jin-young kissed her on the cheek and walked into the men's room. The sun had gone down, and the lamps around the park were on. "I'm going to go wait on that bench over there."
     'Henry' took my hand and we walked a few paces, until the playground closest to the restrooms was between us and the sea of picnic blankets. He took my face in both hands and kissed me, over and over. I pulled away too look at his face.
     "Things are okay?" I asked.
     "They're even better, now." He lightly pecked my forehead.
     "Were those girls flirting with you two earlier? Kirsten looked ready to snap them in half."
     "It's still new to me, but I think they were. He says she's really feisty, but he loves it."
     "I'm overjoyed to see you reunited with your best friend."
     "Clearly Angela thinks he's unbelievably handsome. Once I introduced him, I became invisible."
     "I saw that. It was really... weird. He really is so handsome though. And you two sitting next to each other? Forget it. It looked like a photo from a comeback album booklet." His confused expression told me he didn't understand my reference. "You two are so beautiful that when you're sitting next to each other, there is no hope for any of us females."
     "He's my best friend and all, but I don't know that I like you speaking about him so warmly." He enveloped me tightly in his arms, tucking my hair behind my ear and lightly running his lips over my neck.
     "I wouldn't speak badly of your best friend," I giggled.
     "Try." I could feel his breath in my ear.
     "He's really good at interrupting at really inappropriate times," Jin-young said, stifling a laugh.
     "How long have you been standing there?" demanded 'Henry.'
     "Long enough to know your girlfriend compared us to Korean pop stars."
     "I'm not his girlfriend," I blurted.
     "Not yet," Jin-young winked, "Now come on. The movie is starting. We're gonna all walk back together so it seems less weird. If Angela asks I'm going to tell her you had to take a crap."
     Jin-young started walking back to our spot on the grass. 'Henry' ran after him, shoving him slightly. Kirsten looped her arm with mine and we followed, several yards behind them.