Page 15 of The Swiping Game
Tara: You’re a single lawyer in Nashville. How in the world have you not beenscooped up yet?
James: Many have tried. No one has had the right-sized spoon.
Tara: That was corny as hell.
James: But you’re laughing, aren’t you?
Tara: I plead the fifth.
* * *
Tara: When’s your birthday?
James: Are you getting me a gift?
Tara: No. It’s just when I tell my sister about you, she’s going to demand to know your sign, so I figured I’d just ask and get it out of the way.
James: August 19
Tara: A Leo.
James: Does that mean something?
Tara: To her it does. To me it means you have a summer birthday.
James: When’s yours?
Tara: May 1.
James: Good to know.
* * *
Tara: I don’t believe you.
James: Believe what you want, but I’m telling you the truth.
Tara: No way you were on stage during CMA Fest with Luke Bryan.
James: Why would I lie about that?
Tara: Maybe because I just told you that I’m a huge fan and you’re trying to impress me?
James: We’ve been talking for roughly eight hours today. Don’t you think if I needed to make up a story about Luke Bryan to impress you, I would have done it earlier?
Tara: But earlier, you didn’t know. Maybe you thought I was losing interest. Maybe that’s why you’re single. Eight hours is your limit for holding on to a girl.
James: I’m wounded you think so little of me.
Tara: I knew there was something wrong with you. And there it is. You’re an eight-hours-and-done kind of guy.
James: Wait. Before this, did you not think there was something wrong with me?
She doesn’t respond for a few minutes, and I secretly kind of love that I can tell I’ve flustered her. If this were happening in real life, I know her face would be red right at her cheekbones. Her breathing would be getting heavier as she tried to come up with a comeback.
But what will this Tara do?
Tara: Well, let’s see. Unless you’re straight up lying to me, you have a good job and don’t seem like a serial killer. Though serial killers don’t usually put it out there right away, so the jury could still be out on that. From our talk today, we’ve realized we love the same books and movies and could spend all weekend watching Netflix documentaries if we wanted to. We agree on pizza toppings and our preferred hot chicken restaurant. You officially have more in common with me than I did with my ex-husband. So yes, I will admit I’m sitting here trying to figure out what’s wrong with you.
