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“Tacos sound great.” They probably wouldn’t stand up to the tacos at the food trucks in SoCal, but I really wasn’t a taco snob.
Tacqueria 32 was a cute little restaurant with a patio out front. It didn’t look like the typical Midwest Mexican food joint.
It was a warm day, and we grabbed a seat outside. I scanned the menu. “Oh, these look good.” The tacos were upscale, with brisket and seafood options. I kept reading. “Mashed potatoes, seriously? Only in the Midwest.” I chuckled.
“Hey, don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. They’re awesome. Some spicy carnitas and cheesy potatoes on the bottom?” He put his fingers to his lips in a chef’s kiss.
“If you say so. I think I’ll stick with something a little less…” I searched for the right word. “Adventurous,” I finished.
When the server brought our food, Bryce looked up at me. He seemed apprehensive. But his voice was clear and unwavering when he asked, “Do you mind if I pray before we eat?” He held out his hand to me, and I took it. I barely heard a word he said, distracted by the simple gesture of holding hands and praying together.
“Amen,” he finished.
“Amen,” I echoed. I wasn’t sure what prayer I’d just confirmed, but I was pretty sure God would understand.
Bryce took his taco and held it out across the table toward me.
I stared at it, waiting for an explanation.
“The mashed potato taco,” he explained. “Try it.”
I shook my head. “No, really. I’m fine.” It was polite of him to offer, but I couldn’t eat off his taco. We’d probably shared food as kids, but we weren’t that close anymore. Right?
He nudged it farther toward me. “Come on…just try it. I don’t mind sharing.”
I looked at the taco. I could see the potatoes at the bottom of the tortilla. I squeezed one eye shut and tilted my head, showing my skepticism.
He just waited.
“Fine.” I grabbed the taco and inspected it. “I don’t actually think it’s going to be bad. I just can’t imagine that it will be especially good.”
He laughed. “That’s okay. You don’t have to love it. But at least you’ll be able to say you tried it.”
I took a bite from the end. After finishing my bite, I took another.
“Hey!” Bryce reached for his food, and I pulled it back toward me.
“It’s not bad,” I said with a smile before handing it back to him. “The texture takes a little getting used to. But it’s kind of like when you’re taking your last few bites of food at a church pitch-in.”
“Exactly,” he agreed, taking a bite that included over half of the remaining taco. Now I could see why he ordered four.
“I heard your mom was going to be hanging out with my mom today,” I said.
Bryce raised an eyebrow. “Well, I suppose everyone will be on the same page, then, assuming I’m some lovesick Romeo trying to win you over.”
“I guess so. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before rumors start swirling.”
He looked up at me from his bite of taco. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
I nodded slowly a few times. “Yeah. I think so. It’s not like I mind spending my time with you. And it’s the easiest way to keep the blind dates at bay, right?”
“Seems to be. I’m already noticing less interference from Monica and Mom.”
I sipped my lemonade. “Well, there we go. It won’t last forever, but it’ll be fine for now.”
Bryce’s dark eyes glinted in the sunshine, and he started telling a story about a call last night.
My own words echoed in my mind as I took another bite of a taco.
