Page 67 of Pining for You

Eve blushes and it’s so unbearably cute, I could die. I’ll have to thank Cash for that later.

“And…” Carlos turns to Audra and sticks his hand out. “I know you from somewhere… Do you work at the farm, too?” When she reaches over to take it and looks in his eyes, I swear I see sparkles.

“Not me. I live here, actually. Well, not here here. I don’t live in a tree lot.” She laughs nervously. I watch Izaac’s face contort into a look of shock as his usually very composed and cool sister stammers at this dude. “But ya know, in Brooklyn.”

Eve and I exchange a brief look, and my heart stops, because it’s obvious we’re sharing a thought. But it’s over just as fast and she turns back to her cousin.

“Okay, well, thanks, ’Los. I’ll be right over,” Eve says to him, now that he is the one holding up the line.

“Yeah, I’m so sorry for holding up the operation,” I say, turning my attention to the people now in line, a man and woman who are cradling a tiny shivering dog in a tiny argyle sweater, huffing and shaking their heads. “We’ll get out of here.”

I don’t move, though, because really I absolutely do not want to be on our way. And I want to see if Eve will protest.

“Wait, aren’t you all hungry? You were in line for food, no?” Carlos asks.

“Oh, I… we…,” I start, because he’s right and I almost forgot that part, but my brain can’t produce a quick and reasonable response.

Fortunately, Carlos isn’t waiting for one.

“We’re about to close up for the night and have a little dinner ourselves,” he continues. He gestures around, and there’s Hugo, still in his suit, helping to bag orders at the smaller table. Apparently, it’s a whole family affair. “We just have a few last customers to take care of, and then how about you guys join us?”

At the same time, my friends respond:

Izaac: “Oh, we couldn’t.”

Cash: “Starving!”

Diya: “Any vegan options, by chance?”

But my interest is in Eve’s reaction. Optimism, Bosley, I remind myself.

“You guys should,” she says, and it’s directed to all of us, but it’s enough of a confidence boost that I take the reins. “I mean, it is the best food you’ll find in Brooklyn. No cap.”

She puts on a smile and I’m reminded of her “guest relations” job at the bakery.

“She’s right. And you can’t leave without eating! House rules,” Carlos says. “Besides, tamales always taste better with friends.”

We exchange glances with one another, and there are subtle smiles and why not shrugs all around. Izaac delivers our wordless verdict, and thanks Carlos on our behalf.

And just like that, we have new friends.

And finally, food.

But most importantly, I just may have a real shot at that first kiss.

21

Twenty minutes later, Carlos yanks the plug on the blinking sign and pulls the gate closed, signaling that they are officially calling it a night. The snow is steady, but still not as intense as predicted so far, which is good, because apparently we are about to have an outdoor picnic.

Tía busies herself putting together plates of tamales. Eve pulls up chairs that have been leaning against a wall. Hugo, who has been helping to break down the paper goods station, now pulls the cash table to the corner of the lot. There, outlined by a string of twinkle lights, is a small overhang that protects the table, and a few heat lamps that keep the outdoor space cozy. It feels like a proper party once Carlos cranks up the Peanuts Christmas album on the boom box in the corner.

I take a seat at the end of the table, and Eve chooses to sit across from me, even though there are at least four other open seats at the table. If we wanted to, we could share a meal right off the same freaking plate. Looking at Eve feels like staring at the winter sun, so I’m grateful for the camera in my hands giving me something else to do. Besides, I do want to get some footage of this beautiful scene.

“Mind if I…?” I raise it to her and gesture around the table.

“Have we evolved from baking competition to Bourdain-style travel-slash-food show?” Eve asks, and her mouth tips into a smirk. The snow globe of sparkles that is my stomach is officially upside down.

“You know, I hadn’t seen that pivot coming,” I say. “But it seems like life is full of surprises.”