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  SAM

  I fell in love with Chopping Block in a heartbeat.

  The cafe was circular inside, like so much of Nineton, with the edges filled with leafy green plants. And the very center of the open room held a round glassed-in kitchen so you could watch the chefs showing off their knife skills.

  The delights they prepped were displayed in self-serve cases: sushi and summer rolls, artful fruit platters and colorful salads. Every imaginable cold meal was right there at the fingertips, ready for you to take to your workspace. If you wanted a hot dish like curry or stir fry, just place the order on stream, and you’d be pinged when it was ready.

  The beverage station was all you could drink. So I filled a glass with fruit tea then grabbed a summer roll and sushi for a late lunch and made my way to the Cora’s reserved table.

  Chopping Block was designed for the remote worker who wanted a quiet space, and it felt almost like a library. Although most of the tables were occupied by quietly working people sipping coffee, there was no noise.

  Our space was like all the others: a small circular table surrounded by a round, high-backed bench with enough room for two people. The tall seating made it feel cozy and quiet, easy to focus on being productive. But it was open enough on one side to let in plenty of light. The ceiling above us had a domed skylight which gave the space an open, airy feel, and the food did not disappoint.

  “Cora, how will we ever leave? This place is amazing!”

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  “I know, Sam, it’s even better than I expected. We’ve got this table for three hours today. I paid upfront to reserve it which costs less than booking it by the minute, but I’m seriously considering booking that table—“ she pointed to a nook by the window—“for a full month. And if I don’t need to come in, I can temporarily unreserve it that day so someone else can have it, refunding my money.”

  “Do it!” I agreed.

  We’d rented Switch and Priyaa’s cottage for a month, and I loved it so much I wanted to stay. Having a workspace like this would be an awesome addition since the cottage was only two rooms. And getting out to walk everyday would be great too.

  Cora nodded, “Done. I know you can write for hours, Sam, but I need a little more variety to my day.”

  “Everyone has their own style, Cor, so take it at your own pace. But, I gotta say, I’m itching to get back to Time Sleuths. I think I’m gonna write it as fast as Discordant.”

  “Then get to it, girl!” Cora sniggered into her tea.

  I polished off my summer roll and set fingers to the keyboard, losing track of everything else for a long while.

  Heading out of the bathroom, I made my way to the desert case and picked out a gorgeous demitasse glass mug of tiramisu. Then I refilled my coffee from the beverage bar and added both items to our the tab Cora had made for me. A separate account from hers so we could keep track of our finances individually.

  On my way back to our table, I passed a steady stream of people coming in for take out. Couldn’t blame them. Everything I’d had was delicious.

  Settling back at our booth, I spooned creamy tiramisu into my happy mouth and let my mind wander over my new life. We’d only been in Nineton a day, but I already felt at home.

  I opened my journal to the notes I’d taken that morning. The dreams and then everything from our conversation with Ree and Jax. Decidedly weird, but the most interesting couple I’d ever met. And yet, I had more and more questions every time I thought about what I’d learned from them.

  An idea took shape in my mind, and by the time Cora came back with a brownie and coffee, I knew what I wanted to do.

  “You said there’s a sister restaurant to Chopping Block, right?” I asked.

  “Yeah, Encore. It’s on the opposite side of the burgh, but there’s bigger tables so groups can meet. Not parties—too quiet an environment. But you can have study groups or things like that.”

  I nodded, “Perfect. Think Ree and Jax will be up for answering more questions?”

  She grinned, “I’ll get us a table.”

  I sent a message.

  Sam: You and Jax like Encore? Tonight?

  Ree: We’re free after 8:00

  Sam: Table 32. C U then.

  Ree: ??

  Cora smiled at me, “You ready to quit for the day? I need a shower.”

  “A long walk home before the sun sets sounds perfect!” I agreed. And the walk and dinner that followed did not disappoint.