Centered on a cobblestone square, the Green Apple was a generic, Italian-style cafe. The interior was a mix of tables, chairs and benches made of teakwood and a light beige or cream set of cushions, mixed with a hint of red. The pictures on the walls and the other decorations featured oversized whine bottles and various scenes depicting grape harvest and Italian landscapes.
With summer arriving and the absence of rain, many customers found a seat in front of the cafe under a series of enormous umbrellas to shield from direct sunlight. Laureen and Giselle occupied a table for two in the outside sitting area. The table was hugging the wall of the building and gave them a bit of seclusion. Their walk had been brief, with the cinema boasting its very own parking garage.
"Wanna tell me what happened? I mean what really happened?", Laury's face turned serious all of a sudden when the waitress left two large glasses of latte macchiato on their round table that otherwise had a wind-protected candle, a small vase with a spring bouquet of purple and yellow flowers and two handbags.
Giselle eyed her coworker for a long time. While she had opted for a casual summer pants with sleeveless top and a vest, Laureen wore a strapped summer dress, that presented her considerable cleavage and a jacket against the wind on top. "That's not tough to summarize", she sighed deeply and steeled herself to be in control, "I found someone in Annie, who touched a part of me, that I didn't know existed. I let her lead me into sleeping with her". "Okay? You sound like you wanted to have more...", Laury said thoughtfully, but left it an open statement. The brunette shrugged and looked up to peer at the cerulean sky though the gaps in the canopy that the umbrellas created. "I guess? It blew up already, so it doesn't matter now, does it?", she said with a pain-ridden expression. "How'd he find out?", the coworker asked and drank from her latte with a straw. "He didn't exactly", she pursed her lips, "Yesterday we went for dinner with Ian's ex and I brought Annie along because I figured it'd be fun. His ex took a lucky guess and everything spiraled out of control". Laureen's green eyes went wide as she tried to follow along and finally she looked very compassionate, "I'm not going to comment on the decision to bring your lover to a date between your husband and his ex. Nor do I want to know why he's hanging out with his ex in the first place. I regret to hear how that turned out, love. He'll come around. He won't throw those, what now, 7 years, to the dogs?".
Giselle shrugged again, "Not sure what he'll do. I don't know what's going on with him, except that he's hurt. This just blew up into my face, Laury. Big time. Annie pushed me away yesterday, Ian left today. Fuck, how could I let this happen!". Tears formed in her eyes. And as Laury reached with her hand over the table, she took it and felt the squeeze. It drew a soft smile from her lips. "Sometimes you have the worst and best timing ever", she finally said and let out a chuckle, "Thanks for hanging out".
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Laury shook her head and smiled, "I consider you my friend, Giselle. Maybe we shouldn't watch Undine after all though. Let's check later what else they are showing. Maybe some stupid comedy. Remember Hangover? Kinda like that one!". The memory of Hangover and its ridiculous story line made Giselle laugh and shake off the gloom that started to take hold in her mind again. Brooding wouldn't get her anywhere. "Fuck, I remember that one. It was well written, but I can't watch those type of movies twice", she smiled and Laury nodded in agreement.
For a while they kept reminiscing about old movies they had both seen, sipped from their coffee and enjoyed the weather. After the sun vanished behind the trees, they migrated to the cafe's sheltered interior and ordered a light dinner that resembled tapas. Except it was a mix of Italian and Greek. Both also ordered a French salad.
As a policy, Laury and Giselle never complained about work. Both liked Mr. Dean and the job was more of a family business after such a long time with just the three of them. They did however share anecdotes about customers and sometimes even about the collections they were supposed to sell.
"Remember that customer last week, that his wife dragged in to get a new shirt and blazer?", Laury giggled and puffed her cheeks, but Giselle shook her head, "Naw, I was stuck setting up the new collection, remember?". "Yeah, well, you have to imagine. That blazer was 6 years old, his wife told me. And he wore that blazer 5 days a week, for 6 years! He asked me whether I couldn't tailor him exactly the same one. My god, his face, when I told him I was a clerk, not a tailor", the single woman continued and her audience started giggling, "I've had a similar one two or three weeks back, with a suit. I mean I have to hand it to him, the suit looked still presentable after such a long time, but my god, some people have a more intimate relationship with their clothes than their spouses!". Both women laughed and continued their stories about work and drank a third cup of latte. When both stomachs grumbled and Giselle visited the restroom, Laury checked for movies to pass the time while waiting for dinner and for her date to return. "Not like we have much choice here. Foreign film weeks means, it's a lot of drama and romance", she glanced at Giselle once she was back, "Not even going to suggest the new Transformers with that expression you're wearing. So how about we watch the Joker? It just shows today, it's been out of cinemas for a while and is supposed to be incredible. How about that?". But the brunette just shrugged, "I'm just glad I don't sit at home, Laury!".