Page 66 of Pining for You

“I’m—wow, this… Is this…? Do you work here? What are the odds?”

“I mean, my family runs it,” Eve says, and makes a vague gesture toward Carlos and then Tía, who has come down off the truck to set some orders on the pickup table and take over the cash-out station, because Eve is now so focused on me. A thrill runs through me—I’m a worthy distraction.

“Ohhh, this is the one?” I ask, as if I have a huge mental catalog of Brooklyn Christmas tree vendors. “The place you were talking about yesterday? Rad. That’s so cool.”

I look around. I’m mentally face-palming, desperately aware of how uncool I sound. Eve is still staring at me, but the way the superfine snowflakes are settling into her eyelashes is making me weak.

God, I am in so much trouble with this girl.

“Thanks?”

She still seems stiff, but something has shifted. Her shoulders have dropped at least half an inch and there is a flicker of a smile. It seems my awkward rambling has been at least somewhat endearing.

“So, um, that’s why I’m here, but what are you doing here?” Eve asks a third time.

“Oh! Yeah. I’m here with friends,” I say. I turn in their direction and give a wave.

They all wave back in a big, weird harmonious way that makes my heart nearly explode. Their gallery of goofy smiles gives me enough of a boost that I can pull together a few complete and plausible sentences.

“My buddy Izaac—the one on the end there? We visited his sister today for Christmas, because she’s not coming home for the holiday.” (True.) “And when I realized we were coming to the city, I told them about those cookies you gave me…” (True.) “And so I thought we could try to find your bakery…” (Also true.) “… because my mom would be super into those and I wanted to pick some up for her. Ya know, something special for Christmas morning.” (Could be true.) “But we didn’t make it in time.”

“Whoa,” she says. “That’s kind of insane.”

Wait. Does she mean the plan or me? Either way, it sounds less judgmental and more… intrigued? She waves back at them now, and I can’t believe they’re interacting after everything today.

“Ha! Right?! Really wild we ran into you.” A nervous laugh escapes me and proooobably sounds unhinged. But what can I do?

Carlos steps off the truck as Tía steps on, apparently switching posts, since the line has slowed a bit, and there’s a break in the action.

“In a funny way,” I clarify, hoping she’ll agree.

“What’s going on, cuz?” Carlos asks Eve, but he’s looking at me and observing the exchange. “Everything okay?”

Eve breaks from her trance. “Yes, I’m sorry,” she says, turning to Carlos. “I’ll be right over.”

He sticks his hand out to me, and finally confirms his identity. “I’m Carlos Diaz, Eve’s cousin.”

I shake his hand and feel the warmth of it through my glove. It’s a hand that has been cooking with fire, and despite the conditions outside, it’s toasty and warm.

“My cousin isn’t usually this rude,” he says, nodding to Eve.

“It’s okay.” I laugh. “I’m Bennie.”

“This is Bennie,” Eve says, a beat too late, and Carlos laughs at her.

“Yeah, got that.”

“And those are my friends,” I say. I gesture for them to come over, and they all surge at once, like a football team after a snap.

“This is Izaac, Cash, Audra, and Diya.” They each smile and wave as I point them out.

“I remember you, from the cider station, right?” Eve says to Diya, who nods.

“Oh, me too! You guys work at the tree farm, right? I’ve seen”—Carlos looks around at everyone, recognition dawning—“well, at least a few of you before.”

“Not me,” Izaac says. “But yes, these hooligans do.”

“Yup!” Cash says, leaning in to say hi to Eve. “Your shadow’s still fire.”