cafe mon coco || l.norris

05

RUTH COULD FEEL the weight of the evening settling in as the hours grew late at Café Mon Coco. The jazz melodies filled the air, and the cozy atmosphere was alive with laughter and conversation. Excusing herself from the bustling crowd, Ruth stepped outside for a moment of solitude, craving the familiar comfort of a cigarette.

As she exhaled a cloud of smoke, Ruth noticed Lando and Charles engaged in what seemed like an intense conversation near the entrance. Sensing her presence, Alexandra caught sight of Ruth and quickly made her way outside.

"Hey, Ruth, everything okay?" Alexandra asked with genuine concern, her angelic face illuminated by the lights from inside the café.

Ruth blushed, her brown eyes twinkling. "Oh, yes, I'm fine. Just needed a moment to myself."

Alexandra smiled knowingly. "I saw the way you were looking at Lando earlier. He's quite lovely, isn't he?"

Ruth's blush deepened, and she nodded shyly. "He really is. I can't help but feel drawn to him."

Alexandra giggled, her laughter like sweet music. "I can see why. Charles and he are not very close, but Lando always made me feel welcome when I was at races. Very kind soul." the Monegasque woman spoke.

Before Ruth could respond, Charles and Lando stepped outside, their conversation interrupted by the sight of Ruth and Alexandra.

Charles, with a playful smirk on his face, walked up to Ruth and scolded her jokingly. "Ruth Monroe, what on earth are you doing smoking? I can't believe you'd indulge in such a bad habit."

Ruth chuckled, feeling lighthearted in the presence of her friends. "Oh save it Mr fitness freak." she spoke with a roll of her eyes.

Lando joined in, his smile infectious. "I'm with Charles on this one, Ruth. Smoking isn't the best thing for your health, you know."

Ruth huffed. "Look, you can exercise your necks to look like an ironing board and no one judges
you, so why judge the girl who smokes, huh?"

They all laughed, their voices blending harmoniously in the night air. In that moment, Ruth felt a sense of belonging she hadn't experienced in a long time.

The 4 continued chatting until Alexandra and Charles stepped back inside Café Mon Coco, the winter coldness biting at their cheeks. Ruth and Lando found themselves engaged in a conversation outside. Lando, with his mischievous grin, couldn't help but tease Ruth about her cigarette.

"You know, Ruth, you're starting to look like a chain smoker," he joked, his eyes twinkling with humor.

Ruth feigned offense, placing her hand dramatically on her chest. "How dare you accuse me of such a thing, Lando! I'll have you know, this is only my second cigarette in the last 10 minutes."

Lando let out a laugh, the sound warming the frosty air. "Well, in that case, I suppose you're not quite at chain-smoker status just yet." He said sarcastically, "But be careful, Ruth, you never know how quickly those cravings can sneak up on you."

Ruth playfully rolled her eyes, feigning exasperation. "Oh, please! I have willpower, you know. I can quit anytime I want."

Lando raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. "Is that a challenge, Ruth? Because I do love a good challenge." Lando thought for a second, "I cant quit anytime i want," he mocked, "spoken like a true smoker." He winked.

She couldn't help but feel her heart flutter at his playful banter. "You think you can make me quit smoking, huh?"

Lando leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I think I could make you do just about anything if I tried hard enough."

Ruth's cheeks flushed a rosy shade, her heart pounding in her chest. "Is that so, Mr. Norris?"

He chuckled, his breath creating a small cloud in the cold air. "Oh, absolutely, Miss Monroe. I've got charm and wit on my side."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. There was an undeniable electricity between them, a connection that felt both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.

But as much as the butterflies danced in their stomachs, Ruth and Lando knew they had to tread carefully. Friendship came first, and they didn't want to ruin the beautiful bond that was blossoming between them. Ruth was still not sure as to why Lando was spending his winter break on his own in the most random part of the city, she felt he had a lot of things to hide which was even more of a reason to be cautious.

They exchanged shy smiles and laughter, their conversation filled with light-hearted humor and snippets of their lives. They talked about their favorite music, their dreams, and their shared love for adventure.

As the night grew colder, Lando offered Ruth his jacket, playfully pretending to shiver. She blushed at the gesture, feeling a warmth spread through her body that had nothing to do with the layers she now wore.

Eventually, they made their way back inside, hands brushing against each other as they stepped through the door. Ruth couldn't deny the unmistakable spark that had been ignited between them, but she knew that patience and friendship were the keys to something greater.

As they rejoined Charles and Alexandra, the night at Café Mon Coco continued in a whirlwind of laughter, music, and new-found connections. Ruth and Lando shared not-so-secret glances, their smiles holding promises of a future that was just beginning to unfurl.

And in that moment, amidst the warmth and magic of Café Mon Coco, Ruth Monroe knew that this sanctuary held more than just solace for its patrons. It held the potential for love, dreams, and a lifetime of memories yet to be made.