Page 71 of Pining for You

“This one is something special,” Carlos says, grinning. “And it’s all for charity, so either way, win-win.”

“Well, those are good odds,” Diya admits.

“So?” Carlos asks.

“All right.” Eve throws her hands up. “You know I can’t argue with charity.”

At least it seems like her objections had more to do with Hugo, or making sure she was being responsible, than us.

“So,” Carlos says, looking around at the rest of us. “Whaddya say?”

I look at Eve and my friends and can’t help feeling like I’ve already hit the jackpot. I don’t want anything about this moment to change, so I choose to trust the feelings that led us all here.

Once I see my friends’ faces, all looking like they feel the same, I nod on behalf of all of us.

“Count us in.”

22

How many dream-come-true scenarios happen in a single lifetime?

I can’t say I ever considered bar trivia and tamales as part of my first kiss script, but miraculously, before we even get to any tough questions, I find myself in a scene I literally have dreamed, at least a million times: a moonlit walk through Christmasified New York, with a girl who makes my heart feel like it’s been plugged into a power outlet and is lighting up a whole block. And I am all too aware that I’m living one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments.

Also, that it happened without me even doing much of anything.

Before we left the tree lot, we were each given a task to help get to Wade’s on time. Tía tapped Diya to help her and Hugo store the poinsettias, Cash and Izaac were charged with sprucing up the lot, consolidating the remaining trees to make it look abundant and inviting. Audra offered to help Carlos break down the truck. (Apparently she gives Arturo a hand with his food truck side hustle sometimes.) And Carlos gave Eve the duty of heading over to Wade’s to secure our team spot in the trivia battle. Tía asked her to bring him a tray of tamales while she was at it.

As for me? Well, I somehow pulled the assignment of chaperoning Eve. (“Make sure she doesn’t back out!” Carlos instructed; “Make sure those tamales get to Wade still hot!” Tía added.)

So. Here I am. Somewhere in Brooklyn. Alone with Eve. Nothing but the winter night air and a tray of tamales between us. Every moment has actual potential to be pure swoon. Or… total disaster.

We’ve gone about a block when I start seriously worrying it’s the latter. Eve then glances behind us. Maybe she’s already wishing her way out of this situation. Planning her escape. But then she finally speaks.

“Okay, you do realize Tía is trying to play matchmaker, right?” she asks.

And now I almost fully freeze on the spot while I review the multiple choices for my response:

Hurray, I love that idea!

What? That’s ca-razy! I mean… isn’t it?

Wow, she’s really barking up the wrong tree, huh? Amiright?

I’m about to go with D) None of the Above, and blurt out a charming combination of what / I mean / uh when Eve continues.

“She’s been trying to find a girl for Carlos for ages.”

My blood pressure drops, and I laugh—too hard—to cover up that I thought-slash-hoped she was talking about us, not Carlos and Audra, and that I might get a sense of whether Eve wanted us to be matched.

“I clocked that look the minute Audra walked up. Woman’s got radar for this stuff.” Eve keeps going.

Now that I’m clued in and breathing normally, I perk up. I haven’t even had a chance to discuss the obvious sparks between Carlos and Audra with my friends yet. And if there’s one trope I love, it’s a will-they-won’t-they.

“I mean, she’s not wrong,” I say. “Those vibes were intense.”

“Dude, right? Did you see them at dinner? Like, making googly eyes at each other over the hot sauce? Be careful, it’s hot stuff.” Eve mimics Carlos passing a bottle suavely.

“That was too classic,” I say. “Luckily, Audra is the best, and Carlos seems really great too. So… maybe Tía’s onto something?”