Chapter 8 A month and a half after the incident with Clive, it was mid-March in Los Angeles and the Cherry Blossom trees in Balboa Park were blooming. Carmen had been going on about the park to Shane, recounting stories of when her and her family used to come down to the area to watch the tree’s and play by the lake. Her excitement had gotten to Shane and so they made plans to spend some time there and then go bikini shopping for Carmen in the afternoon.

When Shane arrived at the park, she was in awe. Pink petals hung from every branch of every tree, displaying their beauty to world. The rugged brown bark of the trunks stood in sharp contrast to the lighter colored flowers, making them more pronounced. The rich blue sky and lush green grass only further emphasized the beauty of the park.

They locked the car doors and made their way towards the lake. As they looked for a spot to rest, Shane reached up and plucked a blossom from a low hanging branch, twirling the stem between her fingers. She knitted her eyebrows together in concentration as she admired the flower, it’s intricate petals and yellow center working in a harmony of color. The feel of an intense stare burning into her caused her to raise her eyes and look towards Carmen.

‘So incredibly beautiful.’ the Latina thought to herself. She watched from a few feet away as Shane’s long fingers held the delicate flower with care. ‘Those hands.’ Her mind soon raced to dirtier thoughts, making the corners of her lips curl upwards.

Making her way towards the golden skinned beauty, Shane held her gaze as the earth brown orbs reached to her heart and grabbed a hold of it, pulling her in. She stood before the shorter woman and lifted her hand to tuck Carmen’s hair behind her ear and then gently placed the flower behind it.

Cupping her face with both hands, Shane stood still, taking in every feature. The arch of her eyebrows, her high cheekbones, long eye-lashes, her soft and full lips, and those eyes that were constantly alight with passion and love. “You’re so beautiful.” she said in a whisper, as if she said it any louder this dream-like moment would disappear.