CHAPTER SEVENTY–ONE–The Last Words Spoken
Laura McKenna pushed open the heavy glass door of The Daily Grind, a welcoming chime announcing her arrival. The aroma of freshly. ground coffee beans and warm pastries enveloped her as she stepped inside, momentarily transporting her away from the bustling streets of Long Island.
The coffee shop was a cozy retreat, with exposed brick walls adorned with local artwork and mismatched vintage furniture scattered throughout. Soft indie music played in the background, creating a relaxed atmosphere that immediately put Laura at ease.
She joined the short queue, her eyes scanning the chalkboard menu above the counter. As she contemplated her order, she felt a gentle bump against her shoulder.
“Oh, sorry about that,” a deep voice said from behind her.
Laura turned to see a tall man with tousled dark hair and warm brown eyes. He offered an apologetic smile, revealing a dimple in his left cheek
“No worries,” Laura replied, returning the smile. “It’s a bit cramped in here. ”
The man nodded, glancing around the crowded shop “Yeah, but that’s part of its charm, I think I’m Justin, by the way.”
“Laura,” she said extending her hand. As they shook hands, she couldn’t help but notice the spark of interest in his eyes.
“So, Laura,” Justin said, his tone casual but curious, “are you a regular here?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. I’m relatively new to the area. You?”
“Oh yeah, this place is my second home,” he chuckled. “I work just down the street at a software company. The caramel macchiato here is my lifeblood.”
Laura’s eyes lit up. “No way! That’s exactly what I was planning to order.”
“Great minds think alike,” Justin grinned. “So, what brings you
ou to Lo
Long Island?
Before Laura could answer, the barista called out, “Next in line, please!”
Laura stepped forward, suddenly aware that she and Justin had been holding up the queue. “Um, I’ll have a caramel macchiato, please.
“Make that t
two,” Justin added, stepping up beside her. When Laura began to protest, he held up a hand. “My treat. Consider it an apology for nearly knocking you over earlier.”
Laura felt a flutter in her stomach at the gesture. “Thank you, that’s very kind.”
As they waited for their drinks, Justin continued their conversation. “So, you were about to tell me what brought you to Long Island?”
“Work, actually,” Laura replied. “I recently started a new job at Sivarra Tech”
Justin’s eyebrows shot up. “Wow, impressive. That’s a great company. How are you liking it so far?”
Laura hesitated for a moment, thinking of Ryan and the complicated emotions that came with working for him. But she pushed those thoughts aside. “It’s challenging, but in a good way. I’m learning a lot.“!
Their drinks arrived, and they moved to a small table near the window. Laura took a sip of her macchiato, closing her eyes in appreciation. “Oh, you weren’t kidding. This is amazing.
Justin laughed. “Told you. So, Laura from Sivarra Tech, what do you like to do when you’re not working or discovering great coffee shops?”
Laura pondered for a moment. “I love exploring the city, actually. There’s always something new to discover. Hidden bookstores, quirky museums, that sort of thing.”
“A woman after my own heart,” Justin said, his eyes twinkling. “Have you been to the Museum of the Moving Image yet? It’s a bit of a trek to Astoria, but totally worth it.”
Laura shook her head. “No, I haven’t. Is it as cool as it sounds?”
“Even cooler,” Justin assured her. “They have this incredible exhibit on the evolution of video games. It’s like stepping into a time
machine.”
As they continued chatting, Laura found herself drawn to Justin’s easy–going nature and genuine interest in her responses. Time seemed to slip away, and before she knew it, an hour had passed.
2/2
CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE The Last Worch Spoken
Justin glanced at his watch and sighed. “I hate to cut this short, but I should probably head back to work Listen, Laur enjoyed talking with you. Would you maybe like to grab dinner sometime?”
I’ve really
Laura hesitated for a split second. Images of Ryan flashed through her mind, but she pushed them away. She deserved a chance at happiness, didn’t she?
“I’d like that,” she said, surprised by how much she meant it.
Justin’s face lit up. “Great! How about I give you my number, and you can text me when you’re free?”
They exchanged numbers, and as Laura watched Justin leave the coffee shop, she felt a spark of excitement she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
A few
later, Laura found herself standing outside Joystick Gamebar in Brooklyn, nervously smoothing down her dress. The neon sign flickered above her, casting a warm glow on the brick facade.
Justin appeared a moment later, looking handsome in dark jeans and a navy button–down shirt. “Hey there,” he greeted her with a warm smile. “Ready to get your butt kicked at Pac–Man?”
Laura laughed, feeling her nerves dissipate. “Oh, you’re on. I’ll have you know I was the Pac–Man champion of my dorm in college.” They entered the bar, which was a nostalgic wonderland of vintage arcade cabinets, pinball machines, and classic console setups. The walls were adorned with retro gaming posters and pixel art, while the air was filled with the familiar bleeps and bloops of old–school games.
“This place is amazing,” Laura marveled, taking it all in
Justin grinned, clearly pleased by her reaction. “I thought you might like it. Shall we grab a drink first, or dive straight into the games?” “Let’s get a drink,” Laura decided. “I need to warm up before I destroy you at Pac–Man.”
They made their way to the bar, where Justin ordered a craft beer and Laura opted for a colorful cocktail named “The Power–Up.”
As they sipped their drinks, Justin asked, “So, tell me more about this illustrious Pac–Man career of yours. Were there trophies involved?
Laura laughed. “Sadly, no. Just the undying respect of my fellow sleep–deprived college students. What about you? Any gaming claims to fame?”
Justin adopted a mock–serious expression. “Well, I don’t like to brag, but I once held the high score on the Donkey Kong machine at my local pizza place for an entire summer.”
“Impressive,” Laura nodded solemnly. “I’m clearly in the presence of gaming royalty.”
They spent the next few hours moving from game to game, their competitive banter peppered with genuine laughter and shared stories. Laura was surprised at how easy it was to talk to Justin, how naturally conversation flowed between them.
