cafe mon coco || l.norris

09

               BOTH RUTH AND Alana sat on the comfortable couch in Juliette Lenore's cozy apartment, surrounded by the warm glow of fairy lights. Their laughter filled the air as they chatted about their day at Café Mon Coco and sang snippets of their favorite songs.

Juliette, with her lively spirit, joined in, twirling around the room and singing with contagious enthusiasm. "Have you seen Lando yet?" she asked sipping some of her wine.

Ruth blushed, her heart racing at the thought of him. "Well," she began, trying to contain her excitement, "something happened today."

Alana leaned closer, her eyes wide with curiosity. "You can't just leave us hanging, Ruthie! Spill the beans!"

Taking a deep breath, Ruth looked into the eyes of her friends. "Lando found me on Instagram," she said, her voice trembling with a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

Juliette let out a delighted squeal. "Oh la la! What did he say? Did he propose to whisk you away to some enchanting destination?"

Ruth chuckled nervously. "Actually, he did. He asked me if I would go away with him to Ibiza for New Year's. He's going there and asked me to join him." she spoke slowly.

Alana's eyes widened, and her mouth formed a perfect 'O.' "No way! Ruth, this is incredible! You have to go!"

Ruth looked down at her hands, twiddling her fingers anxiously. "But this is a big thing, you know that. I'm not sure if I can handle a trip with him. What if I mess everything up?  What about the cafe? who's going to look after that? we get busy this time of year!" she panics.

Juliette placed a comforting hand on Ruth's shoulder. "Oh, darling, don't worry about that. You are a beautiful soul, and Lando sees that. Going out of your comfort zone could open up an incredible adventure for you."

Alana nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! Just think about it, Ruthie. This could be the start of something amazing. Besides, you deserve some happiness, and Lando seems like the perfect guy to bring it to you."

Ruth's gaze shifted from one friend to another, her heart swelling with their unwavering support. She took a deep breath, feeling a newfound determination rising within her. "You girls are right. I've always been too afraid to take chances, but maybe it's time to change that. Maybe this is my chance to step out of my shell and embrace life's surprises."

Juliette clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "That's the spirit, Ruth! We'll help you pack and plan everything. This is going to be incredible!"

Alana jumped up, her voice filled with glee. "We'll make sure you have the time of your life, Ruthie. Ibiza, here you come!"

As the girls continued to discuss the upcoming adventure, Ruth couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within her. Maybe, just maybe, this journey with Lando would not only bring her closer to him but also help her discover a part of herself she had long kept hidden.

With her friends by her side, Ruth Monroe couldn't help but feel an incredible warmth and excitement for what the future held, her heart filled with the hope of new beginnings and the promise of a love that could set her free.

The girls' night continued to sparkle with laughter and song as the clock ticked closer to midnight. Ruth, feeling the effects of a few glasses of wine, found herself swaying on the balcony of Juliette's house, gazing at the starry Parisian night.

Just as the clock struck eleven, Ruth's phone buzzed in her hand. With a tipsy giggle, she saw Lando Norris' name flash across the screen. She eagerly accepted the call, her heart fluttering in anticipation.

"Hey there, Ruth," Lando's smooth voice greeted her. "How's the night treating you?"

"Pretty good, Lando," Ruth replied, her words slightly slurred. "Just enjoying the view from here. What about you?"

He chuckled. "Can't complain. It's been a wild night, but nothing beats talking to you."

Ruth felt a rush of warmth spread through her veins, emboldening her to be more playful. "Oh, really? You flatter me."

"You deserve every bit of it," Lando flirtatiously shot back. "I actually called to see if you had made your mind up yet? Coming away with me?"

The question made Ruth's heart skip a beat. She gazed up at the moon and smiled. "Id love too."

Lando's laughter filled her ears, making her heartbeat quicken. "That's the spirit, Ruth. I knew you had it in you."

As midnight drew nearer, their conversation turned into a delightful dance of teasing and laughter. It felt as though their voices were entwined, creating their own little world of shared excitement.

"By the way," Lando began, a mischievous tone in his voice. "You know, you're quite flirty when you're tipsy, Ruth."

She blushed, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. "Am I? I didn't realize."

"Oh, believe me," Lando said playfully, "It's hard to miss. But I must say, I quite enjoy it."

Ruth's heart skipped a beat at his words. This unexpected connection with Lando filled her with a newfound bravery. She was stepping out of her comfort zone and embracing the unknown.

As the clock struck midnight, fireworks burst across the Parisian sky, their colorful trails reflecting in Ruth's eyes. She felt a surge of excitement as Lando whispered through the phone, "24 hours till we are boogying in Ibiza together, i hope i get flirty tipsy Ruth," he jokes.

Ruth's voice was filled with hope and anticipation as she replied, "Depends how good you are, Landooo."

Their flirty banter continued into the early hours, their laughter carrying over the phone lines, forging a bond that felt both fleeting and timeless. Unbeknownst to Ruth, destiny had already set its course, and the upcoming year held more surprises than she could have ever imagined.

The clock struck one, but Ruth could feel the dawn of an extraordinary journey just beginning.  She wanted the next 24 hours to go as quickly as possible so she could see Lando again.