Tara’s phone rings somewhere on her bed.
She pushes her suitcase aside and digs for it in a mountain of clothes.
She finally manages to pull it out.
It’s a video call from her boyfriend, Jesse.
Her face lights up as she accepts the call.
Tara
Hi Jesse! I am SO excited for tomorrow.
Jesse gives a wry smile from his bedroom.
Tara
Can you believe that we’re actually going to France?
Tara
I’ve wanted to go to Paris since I was a little girl.
Tara
And now it’s finally happening.
Tara absolutely glows with joy.
Jesse
I’ve got to cancel our trip, Tara.
Jesse
Devin moved his bachelor party to this weekend.
Jesse
It’s gonna be sick.
Jesse
He rented a yacht, hired a DJ, everything.
Jesse
I can’t miss out on a party like that.
Tara’s joyful glow fades.
Tara
But what about Paris?
Jesse
We can go another time.
Jesse
Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the cancellation fees.
Tara
But I’m almost packed.
Jesse
Look, don’t make this a big deal, okay?
Jesse
I’ll make it up to you.
Tara looks down at her suitcase.
She runs her fingers over the Paris guidebook on her bed.
Jesse
Alright, I’ve gotta go get ready.
Tears well up in her eyes.
But she pushes her emotions down.
Tara is bawling her eyes out.
Tara
I can’t believe him!
She’s on another video call.
This time, her best friend, Connor, is on the other end.
Tara
He just ditched me for a stupid bachelor party!
Connor
I don’t want to say I told you so.
Connor
But as your best friend…
Connor
I have to remind you that I totally told you so!
Tara buries her face in the mountain of clothes on her bed.
Connor
He had egomaniac written all over him since day one.
Connor
Didn’t you say he referred to himself as “The Jesse…”
Connor
When you first started dating?
Tara
That was just a phase.
Connor
That’s not a phase, Tara.
Connor
That’s a red flag.
Connor
But let’s not focus on “The Jesse.”
Connor
This is about Paris.
Connor
I know how much this trip meant to you.
Tara lets out a long sigh.
Connor
Is there anything I can do to boost your spirits?
Tara checks her watch and smiles.
Tara
It’s like two in the morning where you are.
Tara
This call is more than enough.
Tara
Thank you for listening to me.
Connor
You’re very welcome.
Tara
Plus, Jesse said that we’ll reschedule…
Tara
So I guess I can look forward to that.
Connor
You didn’t break up with him after he did that?
Connor
I thought we just established that he shouldn’t be.
Connor
Tara, you totally deserve better than him.
He looks at Tara and takes a breath.
Silence fills the air for a moment.
Connor
Tara, I need to tell you something.
Suddenly, there’s a knock at Tara’s door.
Tara
I’m probably keeping my roommate up.
Tara
I’ll call you tomorrow!
Connor stares at the phone in his hands.
He falls back onto his bed and closes his eyes.
A moment later, they pop open…
And a seed of an idea grows in his mind.
Birds chirp outside Tara’s window.
She wakes up and shoves a pile of clothes off her bed.
Then something catches her eye:
A red envelope under her door.
She gets out of bed and retrieves it.
“Clue #1” is written on the outside.
She opens it and pulls out a note.
“I know this won’t make up for Paris, but I hope it makes you smile.”
“Your next clue is in the kitchen.”
She walks into the kitchen to find another red envelope…
With “Clue #2” written on it.
She opens it and it reads:
“I love your passion and your excitement about exploring the world.”
“I hope that we can see all of it together one day.”
“But until then…head to your garage.”
Tara runs her fingers across the words.
Then she heads to the garage.
When she opens the door, she stops dead in her tracks.
At the center of the room is a small table with a chair.
On the table are croissants, flowers, and a tiny Eiffel Tower statuette.
There’s also a laptop and another red envelope.
Tara opens it and it reads:
“You deserve someone who loves you.”
“Someone who appreciates you for just how incredible you are.”
“You deserve someone like…”
Tara squints at the unfinished sentence.
She thinks it over for a moment.
Then she remembers the laptop on the table.
She reaches for it and slowly lifts its screen open.
And happy tears well up in her eyes.
Connor smiles up at her from the screen.
Connor
You deserve someone like me.
Connor
If you’ll have me.
Tara puts a hand over her heart.
Connor
I can’t hide this from you anymore.
Connor
I mean, I am if you want me to be.
She nods at Connor and bites her lower lip.
She sits down at the table and looks around.
Tara
How’d you do all this?
Tara
You’re like 800 miles away.
Connor
And let’s just say you have a very helpful roommate.
Connor
Plus, she really wanted you to break up with “The Jesse” too.
Tara and Connor’s laughter fills the room…
As they spend time in their very own Paris, together.
