My Last And My Only

Chapter 189: Still Our Place

Friday evenings at Mezzo always felt different.

The morning crowd came for coffee before work.

The afternoon crowd came for meetings, laptops, and deadlines.

But Fridays...

Fridays belonged to people finally exhaling after a long week.

The café hummed with easy conversations, clinking cups, and soft music drifting through the speakers.

Near the corner window, two tables had already been pushed together.

Christine looked around dramatically.

"...She's late."

Yves checked the time on her phone.

"By four minutes."

"Exactly."

"That's not late."

"It is emotionally late."

Nica laughed.

"You've been hanging around Gwen too much."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You shouldn't."

Across the table, Gwen reached for one of the fries Paolo had just brought over.

Christine immediately slapped her hand away.

"Those aren't yours."

"They became ours the moment they touched the table."

"That is not how ownership works."

"It is in this friend group."

Francheska quietly lifted her phone.

Click.

Christine pointed at her.

"You just documented a crime."

"I document history."

"Traitor."

Francheska shook her head, hiding a smile behind her glass.

Some things, apparently, never changed.

Behind the counter, Paolo balanced another tray while glancing toward the group.

"I forgot how loud they are."

Angela laughed.

"They've only been here five minutes."

"And somehow the entire café knows."

Fea smiled as she arranged a few clean cups.

"I think they're fun."

"They are," Paolo admitted.

"...They're just... energetic."

Lindtsey walked over carrying another tray. She was helping.

"They've actually been quiet."

Paolo stared at her.

"...Quiet?"

Christine burst into laughter from across the café.

Paolo looked back at Lindtsey.

"I stand corrected."

A few minutes later, Khae walked over with Fea and Angela.

She glanced around the table.

"I don't think you three have met yet."