English Original
"This is a chance of a lifetime," I declared to my friend Stacy as I locked the door of my office and left the restaurant I managed. "It's every twenty-seven-year-old woman's dream to live in New York City, and in a few months I'll know if I get the transfer."
I watched the moonlight glisten on the waters of Laguna Beach. "I'll miss it here, but living in the Big Apple is everything I've ever wanted - a dream come true."
We met a group of our friends at a local cafe, and I jabbered on about the possibility of my move. Laughter erupted from a nearby table. I watched as a handsome man captured the attention of his friends with his engaging story. His broad, warm smile and air of confidence held me in a trance. Stacy nudged me. "You're staring, Michelle, and about to drool." "Wow," I whispered. I watched the gorgeous guy push up the sleeves of his bulky sweater. Everyone at his table had their eyes fixed on him. "That's the man I want to marry." "Yeah, right," Stacy droned. "Tell us more about where you'd like to live in New York, because we all plan to visit you there when you land this job." As I spoke, my gaze drifted back to the debonair man.
Three months later, my friends and I gathered at the same restaurant. "To life in the Big Apple!" they cheered as we tapped our glasses together. "My chance of a lifetime!" We talked for hours. I told them of my plan to save money by moving out of my beach cottage and renting a room for the few remaining months. Our friend offered, "I have a fellow South African friend who is considering renting one of the four bedrooms in his house. His name is Barry. A great guy." He scribbled on a napkin. "This is his number. He's a forty-two-year-old confirmed bachelor. Says he's much too busy being a single dad to be a husband."
I made an appointment to see the room the same day. I approached the entrance of the spacious house, and the door opened. "You must be Michelle," he said. He pushed up the sleeves of his bulky sweater and flashed his handsome smile. It was the man from the restaurant months before --- the man I wanted to marry.
I stood staring, my mouth gaping, hoping I wasn't drooling.
"You are Michelle, aren't you?" he said, coaxing me out of my trance. "Would you like to see the room?"
中文翻译
"这是一生一次的机会，" 我锁上办公室的门，离开我经营的餐厅时，对朋友斯泰西宣布道。"住在纽约是每个二十七岁女人的梦想，再过几个月我就知道能否获得调职了。"
我看着月光在拉古纳海滩的水面上闪烁。"我会想念这里，但住在纽约是我梦寐以求的一切——梦想成真。"
我们在当地一家咖啡馆与一群朋友会面，我喋喋不休地谈论着我搬家的可能性。邻桌爆发出笑声。我看到一个英俊的男人用他引人入胜的故事吸引了朋友们的注意。他开朗、温暖的微笑和自信的神态让我着迷。斯泰西用胳膊肘轻轻推了推我。"你在盯着看呢，米歇尔，都快流口水了。" "哇，" 我低声说。我看着那个帅气的男人卷起他宽松毛衣的袖子。他那桌的每个人都目不转睛地看着他。"那就是我想嫁的男人。" "是啊，没错，" 斯泰西单调地回应。"多跟我们说说你想住在纽约哪里，因为我们大家都计划等你得到这份工作后去那里看你。" 我说话时，目光又飘回了那个风度翩翩的男人身上。
三个月后，我和朋友们在同一家餐厅聚会。"为纽约的生活干杯！" 我们碰杯时，他们欢呼道。"我一生一次的机会！" 我们聊了好几个小时。我告诉他们我的省钱计划：搬出我的海滩小屋，在剩下的几个月里租一个房间。我们的一个朋友提议："我有个南非朋友，他正考虑出租他房子里四间卧室中的一间。他叫巴里，人很好。" 他在一张餐巾纸上草草写下。"这是他的号码。他是个四十二岁的铁杆单身汉。说自己光是当个单亲爸爸就够忙了，没空当丈夫。"
我当天就预约去看房。我走到那栋宽敞房子的门口，门开了。"你一定是米歇尔吧，" 他说。他卷起宽松毛衣的袖子，露出英俊的微笑。这正是几个月前在餐厅里的那个男人——那个我想嫁的男人。
我目瞪口呆地站着，嘴巴微张，希望自己没有流口水。
"你是米歇尔，对吧？" 他说，把我从恍惚中唤回。"想看看房间吗？"