Chapter 38

The city that never sleeps, that's what they called New York. Even at 3 o'clock on a Saturday afternoon, the busy hustle and bustle of the city showed no signs of slowing. Cars honked endlessly as they inched along congested streets.

The sidewalks were packed with people weaving this way and that in the endless river of foot traffic.

Gia exited the subway station, bracing herself for the sensory overload as she emerged onto the sidewalk. As an accountant, she was used to long hours poring over numbers. But it was the energy and vitality of New York that truly fueled her soul.

Weaving through the crowd, she made her way to their usual meeting spot, a small Italian cafe nestled between a deli and a tailor shop.

She ordered them each a cappuccino and found a seat by the window. Checking her watch, she saw it was now 10 after 3.