Chapter 475:

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Unlike everyone else, Joslyn looked completely relaxed. She smiled as her eyes landed on the cheerful woman behind the counter, who was busy lifting fresh pasta from a steaming pot. “Hi, Rosa.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Rosa Cohen looked up through the rising steam. She stared in surprise for a brief moment before her face lit up with a wide smile. “Oh my goodness! Look who’s here! It’s been so long! I don’t think I’ve seen you since you graduated.”

Her warm voice rang through the little restaurant without the slightest hint of distance.

After wiping her hands on her apron, Rosa hurried out from behind the counter. Her eyes soon landed on Connor, and a curious smile spread across her face.

“It’s so nice to see you again, Rosa,” Joslyn replied with a smile. Then she naturally turned toward Connor and introduced him. “This is my husband.”

To Joslyn, those words came naturally. To Connor, however, hearing her call him that in a place filled with her old memories carried a quiet meaning that reached much deeper than she realized.

The smile on Rosa’s face became even brighter, and the corners of her eyes curved with delight. “Well, hello there, young man!”

Joslyn completed the introduction, saying, “Connor, this is Rosa. She runs the shop.”

Connor politely inclined his head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rosa.”

“You’re both very welcome!” Rosa exclaimed. She looked back and forth between them with obvious approval before adding, “The two of you look wonderful together. You’re a perfect match. Come with me. I just cleaned a table by the wall in the back, and it’s much warmer over there.”

With an enthusiastic smile, Rosa guided them to a small square table in the back corner. “Your usual order, right? House special pasta with extra greens, no scallions, and a fried egg on top?”

𝗗𝗈𝘄ոl𝘰𝗮𝖽 рD𝖥𝗌 𝘧𝗿е𝗲 о𝘯 𝘨𝘢𝗅𝗻𝗈𝗏еls.𝘤𝗼𝘮

“Yes, that’s right. Thanks, Rosa.” Joslyn nodded before turning toward Connor. “Would you like to try the house special, or do you want to look over the menu on the wall first?”

Connor briefly looked at the handwritten menu posted nearby before saying to Rosa, “I’ll order the same thing she’s having.”

“Got it! Two house special pasta. Extra greens, no scallions, and one fried egg on each!” Rosa called toward the kitchen. Then she smiled at them again. “Make yourselves comfortable. Your food will be ready soon.”

With that, she hurried back to work.

Although the restaurant was small, it felt surprisingly comfortable. The conversations between customers, the bubbling sounds coming from the kitchen, and the gentle clatter of utensils blended into a soothing rhythm.

Connor quietly looked around the little restaurant before his eyes naturally settled on Joslyn.

Beneath the warm yellow lights, she had already taken off her coat. All she wore now was a simple light beige cashmere dress. A few loose strands of hair rested against her neck, and the hint of tiredness on her face somehow made her seem even more genuine.

“So where did you usually sit?” he asked.

Joslyn pointed at their table. “Right here. This table is a little farther from the kitchen, so it’s much quieter.”

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