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.