Page 16 of In a Pickle
James took extra care with his final two sandwiches — he’d already started two in his little assembly line before time was called, and he figured it was in the spirit of the volunteer’s instructions to finish both.
“All right, Abrams,” he said, indicating the box of sandwiches he’d completed since their bet began. “Count ‘em.”
After a tense minute in which James had to remind himself repeatedly to breathe, Liana finally said, “Twenty-nine. Wow, you didn’t even need those last two. Well done, Alonso.”
He could have whooped in joy. Instead, he held up his hand to her for a high five. “Thanks for pushing me. That was fun.”
“Thanks for being down for a little competition.”
“For you?” he said. “Anything.” Then, realizing the implications of what he said, he hastily changed the subject. “Are you coming to the sports grill?” She started to shake her head no, and he held up a hand. “I know, I know, you can’t drink. I’m not planning to drink either. But I heard that the bartender makes a mean ice water with lemon. I dare you to try it and tell me it’s not the best ice water you ever had.”
She laughed, as he was hoping she would. “With an offer like that, how could I refuse?”
Chapter 10: Liana
Liana was having the most fun she’d had in a long time. After spending the entire volunteer hour with James, she’d made an effort at the bar to talk to other people. The whole group was friendly. There were a couple of familiar faces from childhood Hebrew school, and she found some other newbies who’d just moved to Miami or had just moved back home after a few years away. Everyone was easy to talk to, and she’d already gotten added to the group WhatsApp chat with the promise that people often shared fun events around town.
James seemed to sense that she was trying to make friends and gave her a bit of space, keeping to a group of guys in one corner. She appreciated his attempt, but found that even as she was talking to new and interesting people, she couldn’t stop glancing over to him. Each time, she found him watching her too.
True to his word, when they’d first gotten to the bar, James had asked the bartender for “two of your finest ice waters with the freshest lemon slices” and slapped $15 on the counter as a tip. When the bartender passed him the drinks, James handed one to Liana and asked, “You know what would make this incredible ice water even better? A straw. Thoughts?” Before she had time to answer, he’d winced and said, “You’re right. Fuck straws. Save the turtles.”
She laughed and gestured to a cup of straws. “I’m pretty sure they have those biodegradable sugar straws. Look.”
“So they do.” He handed her one and then held up his ice water in a cheers gesture. “Bottoms up.”
Now, an hour after leaving her to their separate conversations, James finally walked toward Liana again. She was sitting at the end of a booth with a few other people, and James slid in next to her.
“Howdy, friends,” he said in that effortless tone of his. “Beautiful evening, isn’t it?”
“Hey, James,” one of their tablemates — Isaac — replied. “You seem even happier than usual, and that’s saying something.”
“Of course I’m happy.” James snaked an arm around Liana, and her breath caught in her throat. “This beautiful woman right here just agreed to go out with me.”
“Wait, really?” Isaac said.
James gave Isaac a disdainful look. “Seriously, dude? I mean, I know she’s out of my league, but I didn’t expect that level of surprise.”
Isaac shook his head. “You know you’re too good-looking for your own good, you bastard. Don’t fish for compliments. It’s just that, we all thought you two were already dating.”
“Not yet,” James smiled, “but I’m working on it.” Liana’s heart literally skipped a beat.
“Well, cheers, man,” said Isaac, holding up his drink.
“What are we cheersing to?” a drunk guy next to Isaac slurred.
“We all thought James and Liana were dating already, but apparently they’re not, and this dude just got his head out of his ass enough to ask her out.”
“My man!” cried the drunk guy, holding his hand out for a fist bump, which James happily returned. Liana scooted an inch closer to James, and he instantly pulled her into his side. She sighed contentedly. She’d never been big on public displays of affection, but somehow, this felt right.
Chapter 11: James
The following Thursday, James couldn’t stop smiling. He’d see Liana for her weekly pickleball lesson this afternoon, followed later by their date.
He still couldn’t believe his good fortune and had spent hours agonizing over how to create the best time for Liana. They’d been texting back and forth every day since the volunteer night, and he couldn’t get enough of this girl. Fuck the “don’t text back too much or too eagerly” made-up rule; James didn’t ascribe to that. He was going to tell her whenever he was thinking about her — which was pretty much always, if he were honest with himself.
How could he have spent all of his high school years in the same classes as her without giving her much thought? It was inconceivable. Off the top of his head, he remembered that she was in his AP English class senior year and honors chemistry in 10th grade. Maybe one year of Spanish? Why hadn’t he ever talked to her during those classes?
With a jolt, he remembered. Mary Grace. She had been in those classes too. And he’d been loved up with her then, naively thinking they’d be together forever.