Sweet Encounters

Chapter 23

Adrienne

After Sara left, I settled back onto the couch, ready to dive into my assignments. The apartment was quiet, save for the soft hum of the city outside. I opened my laptop and focused on the psychology readings that had been piling up.

The minutes turned into hours as I worked diligently, the coffee fueling my concentration. Just as I was about to tackle the last assignment, my phone buzzed with a message. I grabbed it, smiling when I saw Colin's name.

"Hey! Just finished my shift. How was your day?"

"Going well! Just finished a big assignment. How about you?" I replied quickly.

"Great! Want to celebrate with dinner? I'll be over in 30."

I felt a rush of excitement. "Absolutely! Can't wait to see you."

I quickly tidied up the living room, putting away my books and straightening up the couch. As I was folding a blanket, there was a knock at the door. My heart raced at the thought that it might be Colin already.

I opened the door to find not only Colin but also Sara, who had returned unexpectedly. She looked slightly flustered and held a small bag in her hands.

"Surprise! I forgot my laptop charger!" she exclaimed, stepping into the apartment. "And I needed to grab my notes for class."

"Hey! I thought you were at school," I said, a little surprised.

"I was, but I had to come back. Plus, I can't miss seeing Colin!" she added with a playful grin.

Colin chuckled, stepping inside. "Well, this is a cozy welcome. Didn't know I'd be walking into a party."

"Just a little reunion," I said, laughing. "You can stay if you want, but we were just about to grab dinner."

"I can always join! I'm starving," Colin said, glancing at Sara with an amused expression. "Besides, I'd love to see what you two get up to."

"Perfect!" I replied, feeling the warmth of their camaraderie. "Let me grab my things, and we can decide where to eat."

As I headed back to my room, I could hear them chatting and laughing in the living room, and it made me smile. I liked how easily they seemed to connect. It felt like a real friendship was forming, and that made me feel all the more excited about our night ahead.

Once I returned, I found them debating where to eat. "How about that new Italian place downtown?" Colin suggested.

"Ooh, I've heard good things about it!" Sara replied, her eyes lighting up. "Let's go there!"

"Sounds great to me. Let's grab our things and head out," I said, feeling a sense of anticipation.

With our plans set, we headed out of the apartment and into the bustling streets of New York City, ready for an evening filled with laughter, good food, and great company.

As we strolled down the vibrant streets of New York, the evening air buzzed with energy. The city lights flickered like stars above us, and the aroma of street food mingled with the distant sounds of laughter and music. I felt a surge of happiness being out with Colin and Sara, the excitement of the night ahead palpable.

After a short walk, we arrived at the new Italian restaurant, its warm lights spilling out onto the sidewalk. A charming outdoor patio beckoned us, decorated with string lights and potted plants. We stepped inside, greeted by the rich scent of garlic and freshly baked bread.

The host led us to a cozy table in the corner, and as we settled in, I couldn't help but notice the intimate atmosphere-the soft murmur of conversations and the clinking of glasses, all contributing to a welcoming vibe.