Chapter 2 #2
"You got three." She takes a huge bite, grinning at me with her mouth full. "I only got two. That's not fair."
I laugh, shaking my head. "You could've ordered three."
"But then I wouldn't get to see that look on your face." She's still grinning, and there's hot sauce on her bottom lip.
"What look?"
"That 'I can't believe she just did that' look. It's very lawyer-y."
"Lawyer-y?"
"Yeah. Like you're about to object in court or something." She leans back, studying me. "Do you always eat so neatly?"
I glance down at my tacos. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, look at you. Not a single drop of sauce on your hands. Your napkin is barely used. Meanwhile, I look like I just fought this taco and lost." She holds up her hands, which are covered in hot sauce and bits of cabbage.
I can't help but laugh. "It's not a competition."
"Everything's a competition." She takes another massive bite, and I watch, fascinated, as she absolutely destroys the taco in three bites. When she's done, she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand and grins at me. "See? That's how you eat a taco."
"I'll keep that in mind."
She reaches for my water bottle, takes a sip without asking, then hands it back. "So what made you want to be a lawyer?"
"My dad. He's a lawyer too. He and my mom started Cross & Cross together thirty years ago. When I graduated law school, they offered me a partnership. Richard came on a few years later."
"That's really cool. Do you like it?"
I hesitate. It's a question I haven't let myself think about in a long time. "I do. Most of the time. But lately..." I trail off, not sure how to finish.
"Lately what?"
"Lately I've been wondering if I've been so focused on building the firm that I've missed out on everything else."
She's quiet for a moment, then says, "Like what?"
"Like this." I gesture between us. "Like sitting by the lake with someone who makes me laugh. Like actually living instead of just working."
She looks at me, and there's something in her eyes I can't quite read. "You make it sound like you've been miserable."
"Not miserable. Just... lonely, I think."
The word hangs in the air between us, and I immediately regret saying it. It's too much, too soon. She's going to think I'm some pathetic workaholic who doesn't have a life.
But instead of pulling away, she smiles. "I get that."
"You do?"
"Yeah. I mean, I'm not a lawyer or anything. But I know what it's like to feel like you're going through the motions. Like you're waiting for something to change, but you don't know what."
"And has it? Changed?"
She looks at me, and her smile widens. "I think it just did."
Before I can respond, a seagull swoops down and snatches a taco right out of someone's hand at the next bench over. The guy yelps, jumping up, and the seagull takes off with its prize, squawking triumphantly.
Hannah bursts out laughing, nearly choking on her lemonade. "Oh my God, did you see that?"
"That bird just committed a felony."
"Grand theft taco." She's still laughing, wiping tears from her eyes. "That poor guy."
We watch as the man shakes his fist at the sky, cursing the seagull, and Hannah leans into me, her shoulder pressing against mine. "Okay, but what do you think his story is?"
"The guy or the seagull?"
"The guy. Obviously the seagull is a career criminal."
I glance over at him. He's middle-aged, wearing cargo shorts and a fanny pack. "Divorced. Came to Silver Lake to find himself."
"Ooh, good start. What else?"
"He's writing a novel. Something about a man and his boat."
Hannah nods seriously. "Very literary. But I think he's actually a retired accountant who's secretly training for a hot dog eating contest."
I laugh. "That's oddly specific."
"Look at him. He's got that competitive energy." She points with her lemonade. "And he's already eyeing the taco truck again. He's not going to let that seagull win."
We sit there for a while, making up stories about the people walking by. A woman with three dogs is secretly a spy. An older couple holding hands are time travelers. A jogger is training for a marathon to impress his ex.
It's easy. Talking to her is easy. Being with her is easy.
Eventually, Hannah asks, "What about you? What do you do when you're not working?"
"Honestly? Not much. I go to the gym. I read. I watch bad TV."
She laughs. "Bad TV?"
"Reality shows, mostly. I'm not proud of it."
"Oh my God. Like what?"
"I'm not telling you."
"You have to tell me now."
"No."
"Bennett." She's grinning, and it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. "Come on. I won't judge."
"You will absolutely judge."
"I promise I won't."
I sigh, shaking my head. "Fine. The Bachelor."
She bursts out laughing, and the sound is so genuine, so full of joy, that I can't help but laugh too.
"You watch The Bachelor?" she says between gasps.
"Sometimes."
"Oh my God. That's amazing."
"I told you you'd judge."
"I'm not judging! I love The Bachelor. I watch it every season."
I blink. "You do?"
"Yes! It's my guilty pleasure."
"Mine too."
She's still laughing, and I'm smiling so wide my face hurts.