Jackson decides to take another route to work and suddenly finds himself going to the same coffee shop over and over again.
Rankings:
#1 in JoWilson
#1 in Domestic
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"The wait will be forty-five minutes to an hour."
Jackson closes his eyes in frustration, not at the hostess for simply doing her job, but at himself for neglecting to make a reservation. The date hasn't even begun, and it's already starting to become a disaster.
"Is everything okay?" Sol's voice is gentle, pulling him from his thoughts.
He turns towards her, offering an apologetic smile. "I forgot to make a reservation. I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry about it!" Her smile is warm and understanding. "I know a great restaurant just a few blocks away. How about we give it a try?"
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Jackson's confusion deepens as he looks at Sol, wondering if they've taken a wrong turn somewhere.
"Are we lost?" he asks, scanning the surroundings for any hints of a nearby restaurant.
Sol responds with a mischievous grin, taking his hand and leading him towards the inconspicuous laundromat.
"I know this seems strange, but trust me on this," she reassures him as they step inside.
Inside, the hum of washing machines and the scent of detergent envelop them. Jackson's skepticism grows until Sol guides him towards a hidden door at the back of the room. His heart pounds with anticipation as they step through, entering a dimly lit corridor that feels like a portal to another world.
Suddenly, Sol pulls him into a cozy, clandestine space adorned with soft lighting and elegant decor. The smell of rich cuban food envelopes them the further they walk in.
As Jackson's eyes widen in amazement, he leans close to Sol, whispering in her ear, "This is amazing." Goosebumps rise on her skin, mirroring his excitement.
Sol smirks in response. "I know," she says, clearly enjoying the look of surprise on Jackson's face.
Just then, an older man makes his way from the bar towards them, beaming with a smile and kind eyes. His white shirt contrasts with the thick gold chain hanging around his neck. The little hair he has left is turning gray, and he greets Sol with familiarity.
"Mira Sol! How are you, my dear?" he exclaims, clearly excited to see her.
Sol stands up and embraces the man warmly. "I'm doing great, thank you. This is my friend Jackson. Jackson, this is Manny. He's the owner of this place."
Jackson stands up and shakes his hand, impressed by his warmth and friendliness. He can tell that Manny takes pride in his establishment and genuinely cares for his customers. Manny invites them to take a seat at the bar and enjoy a drink on the house.
"I've never seen this place before. How did you find it?"
"I needed to do some laundry when I first moved to the city." She chuckles softly. "I walked in and it was a restaurant. Manny converted it after he couldn't afford to rent a normal restaurant downtown. "
