Page 15 of Coincidentally Kismet

Would you prefer I date your sister?

Will

Fuck you!

**Davenport leaves the group chat**: **Smith adds Davenport to the group chat**

Smith

It was a joke, Willy! Come back to us!

“Um, are you going to wake up sometime today? I want—no,needfood, like, right now or I’m going to start crying,” Amy threatens weakly.

“Ugh, fine, it’s not like I slept well anyway, what with an unexpected houseguest and the ghosts of girlfriends past haunting my dreams,” I reply, my voice full of sarcasm.

“Will! I offered to take the couch. It’s not my fault you insisted on being a gentleman and letting your baby sister have the bed. It was comfortable though.” Amy throws a pair of rolled up socks at my head just like she used to when making me get up for school.

“Alright, alright. I’m up. You want to tell me why you’re here now or should we eat first?” I ask, raising my eyebrow in challenge. I want to know the details, but I secretly hope she picks food first.

“Definitely food. Let’s go to that one place...what’s it called?” Twirling her hair, she’s looking hard at me, as if she gave me any context at all. “You know...the one on the beach with the sandwiches and salads.”

“Sal’s?” I ask.

“Yeah, well, I think. Is that the one with the picnic tables in the sand?” Her eyes glisten with hope.

“Yep, let’s go. They have the best double chocolate peanut butter cake in the world.” My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

I quickly head into the bedroom, grab a change of clothes, and swiftly make my way to the bathroom. The shower spray is not hot, but it’s warm enough for me to feel like I’m washing away the shock of yesterday. My sister showing up as a surprise isn’t a bad thing, but I’m worried about our mom. I’d rather see my sister run off into the sunset with Smith than see my mom upset. I need Amy to call her and explain where she is today, if we accomplish nothing else. I rinse off and get changed quickly because that cake is calling my name.

Walking into Sal’s is like walking into any classic deli you could stumble into in Brooklyn, except this one’s right on the beach. The inside is plain with white walls and green tablecloths. A chalkboard sign lists the various sandwich and side options, while a cooling case displays an array of delicious treats.

“What should I get? You know I’m picky.” My sister shifts from one foot to the other.

“Well, I have tried almost everything on the menu, but the classic turkey on pumpernickel is their most popular. That’s what I’m getting. Oh, and dill potato salad, chips, and a slice of the cake.”

Amy’s eyebrows shoot into her hairline at my list of lunch items. “Okay, well...just order me the same. We can always bring the leftovers home.”

I can’t help the scoff that sneaks out; she’s nuts if she thinks I’m not going to savor every single bite. I work out hard so I can eat what I want.I place our order, grab a number, and lead us out to a picnic table to wait. Burying my feet in the sand and moving my hat backward, I look at my sister, waiting for her to spill the beans.

“Sooo...are you going to tell me what you’re doing in Florida?” I ask after what feels like an eternity of silence.

“I just thought it would be nice to spend some time with you. The teaching market is better in Florida because there are so many more openings than in Iowa. Oh, and also that shithead doesn’t live here, but that remarkably hot group of friends you have do.” She smirks, knowing she’s going to get a rise out of me with that declaration.

“Ha. Very funny. No, but for real. What’s the plan, Aim?”

“You’re looking like Dad does when he’s disappointed in me.” She scoffs.

“Yeah, Aims, I am. Because you don’t just fly cross-country with no plan, no job, and no Mom. It’s not what we do,” I reprimand her.

“O-kay, I know it looks bad, Will, but the truth is I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I needed to get away, start fresh, and I knew you would never turn me out on the streets. Finding a job is hard, and it’s even harder when you have Mom meddling in everything. I know she means well, but the pressure and Pinterest boards she’s using to mold me into the world’s best teacher are too much. Also, it’s an adventure. I don’t have a plan; I just know that I couldn’t stay there and I wanted to be here with you. I think if you admit it, you might enjoy having someone around since you’re not exactly occupied, you seem lonely since...well, since Thatch.” She folds her hands together then unfolds them, putting them under the table, clearly worried that she hit a nerve.

I’d love to say her assessment is wrong, but deep down I don’t think it is. I’m surprised she brought up Thatch, she knows I don’t like talking about him. She’s also right in that I would like to have someone to hang out with other than the guys.

“Have you looked for a job?” I ask, right as a young kid dressed in all white and wearing a hairnet delivers our feast.

“Actually, I have an interview on Tuesday for a first-grade position in Tampa and an interview on Wednesday for a kindergarten one in St. Pete.”

“Wow, that’s great! Okay, sooo if you get a job, you will be here at least a year, and I assume you’re willing to pay toward rent and shit you need?” I ask around a bite of my sandwich. Lettuce falls out of my mouth in a very unattractive way.

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