After the Heartbreak

Chapter 8 of Part II: Finding Common Ground

(Gerald's POV)

The conversation between Megan and me flowed more smoothly than I had anticipated. I had expected it to be a quick exchange of pleasantries and maybe a bit of awkward small talk, but it turned out to be anything but. Megan had this way of making things feel easy-her energy was light, and before I knew it, we were talking and laughing as if we'd known each other for much longer.

"So, are you into movies?" Megan asked, taking another sip of her coffee as she leaned back in her chair. "I mean, like, serious movie fan?"

"Depends," I said with a small smile. "What kind of movies are we talking about?"

Her eyes lit up, and I could already tell by the excitement in her voice that this was a topic she was passionate about. "Fantasy. Adventure. The kind where there's magic, epic battles, and maybe a dragon or two."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, Lord of the Rings?"

She grinned. "Absolutely. Extended editions only, of course."

"Of course," I agreed, nodding. "No other way to watch them."

Megan laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Glad we're on the same page."

I found myself relaxing more, enjoying the direction the conversation had taken. It wasn't often that I met someone who shared my love for fantasy and adventure films. Most people I knew-Mark included-were more into action or thrillers, and while I liked those too, there was something about escaping into a world of magic and adventure that had always appealed to me.

"So, what about you?" I asked, leaning forward slightly. "What's your favorite?"

She thought for a moment, her fingers tapping lightly on the edge of her cup. "It's tough to pick one, but I'd have to say Harry Potter. I grew up on those books and movies. It was, like, my childhood. How about you?"

I smiled, feeling a bit of nostalgia hit me. "I'm with you on Harry Potter, but if I had to choose, I'd say 'The Hobbit' trilogy. I know some people think it's overrated compared to the original 'Lord of the Rings,' but I love the adventure and the sense of discovery."

Megan nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I actually really liked 'The Hobbit,' too. It's not as epic as 'Lord of the Rings,' but there's something about Bilbo's journey that's more... personal, I guess."

"Exactly," I said, surprised by how easily she put it into words. "It's less about saving the world and more about finding your place in it."

We continued talking about movies for a while, trading recommendations and debating which fantasy world we'd want to live in if given the chance. Megan had this way of keeping the conversation interesting, always asking thoughtful questions and genuinely listening to my answers. It wasn't just about filling the silence-it was about connecting, and that was something I hadn't realized I was missing until now.

"What about music?" Megan asked, changing the subject with an easy smile. "Do you play any instruments, or are you just a listener?"

"I'm just a listener," I admitted, shaking my head. "I've always wanted to learn guitar, but I never really had the patience for it."

Megan laughed softly. "Same here. I actually took piano lessons as a kid, but I stopped after a year. I just couldn't stick with it. But I love listening to music, especially while I'm working."

"What kind of music?" I asked, curious.

"Indie, mostly," she said, her eyes lighting up. "But I have a soft spot for anything with a good beat. I've got a playlist for every mood-whether it's a rainy day, a workout, or just cooking."

I chuckled. "I'm the same way. I always have something playing in the background, especially when I'm at the gym or trying to unwind after work."

Megan's smile widened. "Speaking of the gym, Mark mentioned you're pretty serious about it. Do you work out every day?"

"Most days," I said with a shrug. "It helps clear my head, especially after long shifts."

"Long shifts?" Megan asked, tilting her head. "What do you do again?"

"Law enforcement," I said simply, waiting for her reaction.

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Wow. I didn't expect that."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"You just don't give off that typical cop vibe," she said, laughing. "You're more... I don't know, laid-back."

I smiled, amused. "I get that a lot."

Megan leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "So, what do you do to unwind after a long shift? Besides the gym, I mean."

"I play video games sometimes," I admitted, feeling a bit self-conscious. "It's a good way to disconnect from everything."

Megan's eyes lit up again. "No way. What kind of games?"

"Mostly adventure stuff. Skyrim, Witcher 3, that kind of thing."

"Skyrim?" she asked, grinning. "That's one of my favorites! I've probably spent hundreds of hours exploring that world. There's just so much to do."

I chuckled, surprised by how much we had in common. "Same here. It's the kind of game you can get lost in for hours without even realizing it."

Megan's excitement was infectious, and I found myself smiling more than I had in a long time. There was something about the way she talked about her interests that made me want to keep the conversation going, to keep finding more things we had in common.

As we talked, I learned more about her background. Megan wasn't originally from this city-she'd moved here about three years ago, drawn by the small-town charm and the opportunity to start fresh.

"I'm from a bigger city originally," Megan explained, her voice soft but animated. "But when I came here, I just fell in love with the place. It felt right, you know? Like this was where I was supposed to be."

"So, you've been here for three years?" I asked, genuinely interested.

"Yep," she said with a nod. "I opened my restaurant not long after moving here. It was always my dream to own one, and this place just felt like the right spot. So far, it's been going really well."

I raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You own a restaurant?"

Megan smiled, looking a little shy for the first time. "Yeah, it's just a small place, but it's mine. It has really given me a new purpose and I'm really happy."

"That's really impressive," I said, meaning it. "It takes a lot of guts to open a business in a new place."

She shrugged modestly. "It was scary at first, but I love it. And Mark's been great-he's actually one of my first regular customers. We met at the publishing company I worked at before I opened the restaurant."

I nodded, feeling a newfound respect for her. Megan wasn't just a good conversationalist-she was driven, ambitious, and had clearly worked hard to build the life she wanted. It was refreshing to talk to someone who was passionate about what they did, and it made me feel more comfortable sharing my own experiences.

Before I knew it, we had spent over an hour talking. The conversation had shifted from movies to music, to video games, and even to our lives outside of work. It wasn't what I had expected from this meeting, but it was exactly what I needed.