Through the cracks

Chapter 1: A Serendipitous Meeting

Alice Walker's mornings always started the same way—black coffee, no sugar, and a quick scan of her schedule for the day. She had always found comfort in routine, especially in a city where nothing ever seemed to slow down. The hum of traffic, the distant chatter of pedestrians, and the occasional honking horn provided a familiar soundtrack as she walked the few blocks to her favorite coffee shop, The Green Bean.

Nestled between a used bookstore and a florist, The Green Bean was her sanctuary, a place where she could steal a few moments of peace before the chaos of the day took over. The smell of freshly ground coffee beans greeted her as she pushed open the door, the soft chime announcing her arrival. The barista, a young woman with colorful tattoos running up her arms, waved at her from behind the counter.

"The usual, Alice?" the barista called out, already reaching for a to-go cup.

"Please, Jess. I'm running a little behind today," Alice replied with a quick smile, her mind already on the stack of paperwork waiting for her at the office.

She moved towards the back of the shop, where a small shelf held a collection of second-hand books for customers to peruse. Alice's eyes skimmed the titles, her hand pausing over a worn copy of "Pride and Prejudice". She had read it countless times, but something about the familiar title drew her in.

As she reached for the book, her fingers brushed against someone else's hand. She looked up, startled, to find a pair of warm, hazel eyes staring back at her.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she stammered, pulling her hand back instinctively.

The man chuckled, the sound deep and pleasant. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude." He smiled a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "You a fan of Austen?"

Alice hesitated for a moment, then returned the smile. "I suppose I am. It's one of my favorites."

"Mine too," he said, holding the book out to her. "Please, take it."

She shook her head, her hand still hovering uncertainly in the air. "No, really, you go ahead. I was just browsing."

The man tilted his head slightly, studying her. "How about we make a deal? You take it, and if you ever need someone to discuss it with, you'll know where to find me." There was a playful challenge in his tone, one that made Alice's heart skip just a little.

Alice found herself laughing, the tension of the morning melting away. "Alright, deal," she agreed, taking the book from his hand. As she did, she couldn't help but notice how comfortable this brief exchange felt, as if she had known him for much longer than the few minutes they had shared.

"I'm Dean, by the way," he said, extending his hand.

"Alice," she replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, reassuring. "Nice to meet you, Dean."

"Likewise, Alice." His smile widened, and for a moment, neither of them moved, caught in the unexpected ease of their conversation.

"Order up!" Jess's voice cut through the moment, breaking the spell. Alice blinked, remembering where she was and what she had to do.

"That's me," Alice said, glancing back at the counter where her coffee was waiting.

Dean nodded, his expression still warm. "I won't keep you, then. But maybe I'll see you around?"

"Maybe," she replied, a hint of mischief in her voice.

With a final smile, Alice turned and made her way to the counter, grabbing her coffee and tucking the book under her arm. As she stepped out of the coffee shop and back onto the bustling sidewalk, she found herself glancing back through the window. Dean was still standing by the bookshelf, his attention now on a different title, but for a brief moment, he looked up and their eyes met once more.

Alice walked away with a small smile playing on her lips, the familiar weight of the day's responsibilities feeling just a little lighter. She didn't know if she would ever see Dean again, but something about their encounter lingered with her, like the first line of a story she wasn't quite ready to put down.

For the first time in a long while, Alice felt something she hadn't expected—anticipation.