Alex Chen sipped his coffee, gazing out the window of their favorite café. John Patel sat across from him, typing away on his laptop. Their weekly coffee dates were a ritual they'd maintained since college.
"I'm telling you, Alex, this article is going to be a game-changer," John said, eyes shining with excitement.
Alex raised an eyebrow. "You're always so optimistic, Jamie."
Their banter continued, a comfortable rhythm they'd honed over years. But beneath the surface, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting. He'd always valued their friendship, but lately, he'd noticed the way John's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled...