Grooving to Life's Beat

Lunchtime Bombshells: A Twist in the Bites

A few hours later, the coffee disaster was a long forgotten memory as I sat comfortably across from Logan in a chic Japanese restaurant.The atmosphere was perfect. Slick and sophisticated, with minimalist black coated tables, soft lighting glinting off bamboo panels, and the delicate scent of fresh sushi mingling with a hint of soy sauce in the air.

The sound of chopsticks clinking against fine ceramic resonated in the air, while the murmur of chatter enveloped the diners like a gentle blanket. It was the kind of place that made you sit up a little straighter, but I felt at ease.

I was dressed to impress, rocking my sleek little black dress and strutting in my black opium YSL sandals. The night carried a quiet rhythm, a blend of easy laughter, shared memories, the kind of calm that only comes with being around people who feel like home. And for a few fleeting hours, the chaos of my life lately was on pause, replaced by the simple joy of good company and a setting that felt just right.

"It's so good to finally catch up" I said, swirling the wine in my glass before taking a sip.

Logan smiled, though his expression turned thoughtful as he swirled the liquid in his glass. "It's strange, though, isn't it? Being here without Alexander. The three of us... we were always together." His voice drifted off, leaving his words to settle between us like an unspoken memory.

Logan wasn't just Alexander's cousin, he was more like a brother. Raised in Alexander's house, we had practically grown up together, our families intertwined in a way that felt unbreakable, solid. The three of us had always moved in sync, like pieces of a puzzle that fit together seamlessly. But now, sitting here without Alexander, the gap between us felt more pronounced than ever, as though an unspoken void had settled at the table, casting a shadow over the easy conversation.

"Yeah, I know..." My fingers instinctively reached for the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace resting against my collarbone. A gift from Alexander. Elegant. Beautiful. Heavy.

"You were practically inseparable. No one ever saw you apart!"  He had that Tom Cruise charm, a dishy, clean-cut look, with soft features that made him seem approachable, even when his curiosity was cutting deep. "Why did you make this unexpected decision?"

I shifted in my seat, searching for the right words. "Honestly, I don't even know who started it... It just felt like we both needed space. We've been inseparable for so long- same schools, same vacations... It was always 'us.'" I glanced at Logan, my voice softening. "You know how it was, being part of the trio. The three musketeers. But it's not goodbye, just... a pause."

Logan nodded, a small, understanding smile on his lips. "Sometimes space is necessary, even in the closest bonds. But it's a big shift." He took a bite of sushi, pausing thoughtfully before adding, "You two were like one person."

"Yeah, I know.... " My eyes dropped for a moment, the weight of it all settling in before I forced a smile and looked back at him.

The truth was, I felt completely torn. A part of me missed Alexander more than I wanted to admit; the comfort of his presence, the way he could read me without words, the history we shared. But at the same time, there was this overwhelming sense of relief, like I could finally breathe. Here in New York, for the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't just part of a unit. I was my own person. I could dream, make plans, and live without every decision being tied to us.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak again, my gaze flickered over Logan's shoulder, and the words caught in my throat. My breath hitched, my stomach twisted into knots, my heart sank.

Alexander.
Hand in hand with a blonde woman.

I blinked, sure I must be imagining it. But no, there they were.