Run, Red, Romance

"Passport? Keys? Purse? Check. What am I forgetting?" Maya asked herself preparing for her flight to California. It had been a year since she had been home, but now she missed her family and best friend. Her best friend, Camilla, always knew how to ease her mind. They both loved the medical field and their friendship started in the clinic itself. Ten years ago they worked side by side, but Maya was now a pediatrician practicing at New York's Maison Des Enfants Hospital and Camilla was a registered nurse at Menlo Striver Hospital in California. Maya was excited to be reunited with her best friend. She drove to the airport and awaited her flight, with thoughts of how to surprise everyone. Little did Maya know that she was in for a surprise herself.

As Maya stepped off the plane in her hometown, grabbed her bags and went outside to her red Camry rental and made her way to surprise her family. "Home sweet home," she said with a sigh of relief as she pulled up to her childhood home, with the porch light on. She knocked on the door using her signature knock, and when the door opened there stood her stunned grandmother. "Maya!? When did you get here? You didn't even call!" she screamed as she hugged her tightly. "I wanted to surprise you all!" Maya laughed. They went inside where hugs continued and she felt so loved and missed, but the feeling was mutual. After a long night of laughter and catching up Maya finally got to sleep awaiting to surprise Camilla.

Maya put on her headphones and went for her daily run beside the ocean. It helped clear her mind, but while running she looked down at her watch, and next thing she knew Maya crashed into someone. "I am so sorry!" she exclaimed as he dusted himself off.

This stranger extended his hand to help Maya up off the ground, "Are you alright? I apologize I should have been watching where I was running".

Maya smiled accepting the hand, "I'm alright, are you ok? It was completely my fault I was busy looking at my watch and didn't see you coming towards me".

"Sorry again, I guess we were both distracted. Glad I didn't hurt you, but I do have to run" he said as he started to jog. "Have a good rest of your day!" he shouted with a smile.

"You too!" Maya shouted. She continued on her run but couldn't shake a familiarity she felt with the stranger. Maya went home, showered, and then off to surprise Camilla. She pulled into the parking lot of Menlo Striver Hospital, and gave Camilla a call as she stepped into the elevator going up to her department. "Sis, I miss you so much! You need to come visit me in New York" Maya said to Camilla. She responded, "I miss you too sis! You should come back home for a visit. I definitely could use my best friend here". Maya reached the nurse's station where Camilla stood, unknowingly, with her back to Maya. "I could use my best friend too" she responded as she placed her hand on Camilla's shoulder. She spun on her heels to find Maya in front of her and immediately hugged her best friend. They laughed like giddy little school girls.

Camilla curiously examined the wicker basket in Maya's hand, "What's in the basket sis?" she asked. "A lunch I know you'll love! Are you free, if not I can wait?" Maya giggled. Camilla looked at her watch, "I have to check on this patient and then I’ll take lunch" to which Maya responded with a smile and nod of approval.

They walked arm in arm to the garden area, where Camilla sat down to explore the basket of goodies, and gasped "Tacos!? Acai Berry Juice!? Hot Cheetos!?" All my favorites! You know me so well". "Of course I do sis! Omg you wouldn't believe what happened this morning" Maya stated enthusiastically.

"What happened sis?" Camilla was intrigued as they ate. Maya sipped at her juice, "I literally ran into a man on my run". Camilla looked at Maya with intense excitement, "Do tell! Name? What does he look like? All the deets". Maya looked at her feet "I didn't talk to him much, but there was something familiar about him, is that weird?". Camilla giggled, and put her arm around her best friend's shoulder, "It's not weird at all sis! You know what we need? A girl's weekend!". They giggled but both ladies knew they needed that without a doubt.

Camilla and Maya finished their lunch and met later to start their drive to Napa for the weekend. They drove for hours, reminiscing to when they first met and jamming out to music. They arrived at their bed and breakfast, and were so happy to see their rooms, more so their beds. "Alright sis, remember to set your alarm so we don't miss dinner" Maya said to Camilla, grinning with excitement across the hall from one another. "Synchronizing watches! This is going to be so much fun! See you at 7pm" Camilla set her watch. Maya looked at the gorgeous room in front of her, she saw the large queen bed draped with a teal comforter calling her name. But noticed the balcony overlooking the gorgeous sunset in the luscious vineyard covered horizon. Maya stood breathing the fresh air that surrounded her.

Camilla knocked on Maya's door looking refreshed. They had agreed to wear red for dinner to suit their wine themed weekend. Camilla looked stunning in her strapless red dress. Maya complimented "Sis! You look amazing! All the men will have their eyes on you“. Camilla blushed, "Stop that! You look gorgeous too ya know! That cross backed burgundy number is a man killer". Maya giggled, putting on her Razzle lip stain on, "You're too funny Cami. All the men’s eyes will be on you". They grabbed their coats and walked downstairs to their complimentary ride to the winery's finest restaurant.

As they walked in Maya looked to her left, and there he was... the stranger from her morning run. "OMG!" Maya pulled Camilla to the side. "What happened?" Camilla asked. "That's him! From my run yesterday!” Maya responded frantically. She hadn't been on the dating scene in a while, but instead of baby steps she had gotten smacked with it. "Calm down sis! Let's go sit down and enjoy our time. If he talks to you then just be your wonderful self and trust me neither of you will regret it" Camilla said to Maya as they walked to their table.

Camilla and Maya noticed that the stranger wasn’t alone, but with another man. From what Maya could see with her sly, corner of the eye glances they were close friends. The stranger's friend leaned towards the waiter and pointed in the direction of the ladies' table. Maya saw his grinning face as the waiter brought over a bottle of FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION BLUE LABEL MERLOT. It was just the beginning of kind notions.

The gentleman walked over to their table and smiled. "I hope this isn't too forward, but I saw you walk in and I haven't seen anyone as stunning as you. My name is Julio and you are?" he said as he swept up Camilla's hand and placed a gentle kiss. Camilla giggled, "Not forward at all. I'm Camilla and this is my best friend Maya". Maya gave a small wave in acknowledgement to which Julio nodded. "If you don't mind the intrusion, would you ladies like to join my best friend and I for dinner?" he asked looking over at his best friend shying away. "YES! I mean yes of course, thank you" Camilla said as she grabbed Maya by the wrist dragging her to the other table. "It was meant to be" she whispered into Maya's ear. Maya grinned shyly and grabbed the bottle of Merlot before being swept away. Julio pulled out Camilla's chair and once seated all he could do was sit and stare at her. His eyes fixated on the glimmer in her eyes as she spoke passionately about her job. Her strapless dress complimenting her beautiful body and captivating red lipstick smile. All Julio could think was how lucky he was to have met such a gorgeous woman who also had a personality to die for.

As Maya approached the table, the stranger stood up and couldn't take his eyes off of her. He extended his hand, "Hello stranger, we meet again. I’m RJ, and your name?". "I’m Maya. I'm surprised you remembered me to be honest" tucking her hair behind her ear. RJ's eyes scanned over her as he sat down. She was radiant in her burgundy dress, the way it draped over her shapely body. As he spoke with her, he couldn't help but grin having so many things in common. Here was a woman that was confident, caring and beautiful, what more could he ask for.

"Excuse me, have we decided what we would like or do you need some more time?" the waiter asked while pouring the luxurious, fruity Merlot into each of their glasses. They broke from their trances and started laughing. "Could we please get some salad and bread sticks while deciding our entrees?" Julio asked kindly. Everyone picked up their menus and attempted to divert their attention to what their meals should be, and they concurred to have fettuccine with garlic parmesan chicken. As the salad and bread sticks arrived they picked up their glasses to toast. "I'd like to toast to our new friendships, may we continue to move forward together and build a monumental relationship for the future" Julio said staring into Camilla's bold and magnificent eyes. RJ cheered to that while a beaming grin came over him looking across at the woman he never wanted to take his eyes off of.

Between bites and sips of endless bottles of berrylicious Merlot were laughs among four new friends. The dim lighting, the stars gleaming in the clear night sky, the vineyard aroma of fresh grapes enhanced the mood. Julio looked around at this scene, "RJ? Do you think these lovely ladies would like to join us for the rest of the weekend? Only if you two don't already have plans". He smirked, "I don't know about them, but I know that we would definitely enjoy their company". The ladies looked at each other and nodded accepting the invitation. The men paid the bill, even though the ladies fought them on it. They went outside and discussed the rest of their plans. "So does this technically count as our first group date?" Julio asked in a silly voice. "I think it counts as a wonderful get to know you date, don't you think Camilla?" Maya snickered, giving RJ's hand a little squeeze. "Mmhmm, agreed!" Camilla replied as Julio put his hand around her waist. RJ with interlocked hands said as he looked into Maya’s eyes, "Very much agreed".

Their complimentary rides approached the restaurant...Julio looked into Camilla’s eyes, they moved closer and next thing their lips passionately pressed against each other's. Maya and RJ moved towards the car to give them some privacy. RJ gently pinned Maya against the car door, tucking the loose curls on her face behind her ear, cupping her face. Maya lowered her gaze in shyness, but RJ lifted her face to meet his, and moved closer to her lips. "You know something? Running into you that day, brought the most amazing woman into my life. I had a wonderful night, and I look forward to so many more nights like this...with you". He placed a gentle kiss on her lips, to which Maya reciprocated passionately.

Under the moonlight, the stars and the scent of the grapes that were hand-picked for their newest favorite Merlot...both couples kissed whom they would start their infinite vineyard romance.