The sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the park. The sound of the fountain splashing gently filled the air, blending with the distant hum of the city. Nick felt a strange peace as he and Sylviane continued to chat, the awkwardness from earlier now replaced by a comfortable ease.
"So," Nick began, trying to steer the conversation in a new direction, "what's your favorite book? You seem like the type to read a lot."
Sylviane looked up from her book, a soft smile playing at the corner of her lips. "That's a tough question. I love all kinds of genres, but I'm really into mystery novels. Something about trying to figure out the twists before the characters do… It's like a game."
"Hmm, sounds fun," Nick replied. He paused for a moment, watching the wind tousle her hair, the way the light caught in her eyes. Okay, calm down, it's just a date. But she's… different. Not what I expected.
"I'm more of a sci-fi fan myself," Nick continued, feeling more relaxed now. "I love reading about technology and the future. It's fascinating how people imagine the world could change."
"That's cool. I like sci-fi too. Ever read Neuromancer?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
Nick nodded. "I've heard of it. Never got around to reading it though."
"Well," Sylviane said, leaning forward, "it's a must-read if you're into tech. It's like the foundation for a lot of modern cyberpunk fiction."
They continued talking about books, movies, and their favorite stories until the sun was nearly gone, replaced by the soft glow of streetlights. Nick glanced at his phone—it was already 7:00 PM. He should have been heading back by now, but he didn't want the conversation to end. It felt too easy, too natural.
"So, what's next for you? Got plans after this?" Nick asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
Sylviane hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Actually, I was thinking of grabbing some coffee. Want to join me?"
Nick blinked, surprised by the invitation. "Uh, yeah, sure. I'd like that."
As they stood up, Nick's thoughts drifted. This is going better than I expected. But still… something feels off. She seems so… familiar. Like I've met her before. He shook off the feeling, deciding to push it aside. It's just a weird vibe. Nothing to worry about.
[Meanwhile, Patrick and Sylvia]
A few blocks away, Patrick and Sylvia were having a completely different kind of conversation.
"So, what do you do, Sylvia?" Patrick asked, taking a sip of his drink as they sat at an outdoor café.
"I'm a graphic designer," Sylvia replied, adjusting her glasses as she leaned back in her chair. "Mostly freelance. What about you?"
"I work in tech," Patrick said with a grin. "I design websites, apps, stuff like that. Mostly boring stuff, but I get to play with cool tools."
"You don't look like the 'boring techie' type," Sylvia teased.
Patrick laughed. "I get that a lot. I like to keep it casual."
They chatted for a while longer, and like Nick and Sylviane, they fell into an easy rhythm. Patrick found himself enjoying the conversation, drawn in by her wit and intelligence.
"So, you really think this blind date thing is working?" Patrick asked, looking her straight in the eyes.
"Why, is it not working for you?" Sylvia asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, it's not that. It's just… I didn't expect it to go so well, you know? I thought blind dates were supposed to be awkward."
Sylvia smiled. "Well, maybe it's because you're not meeting the wrong person."
Patrick chuckled, the words hitting him with a strange sense of déjà vu. "You know, that's exactly how I feel too."
[Back to Nick and Sylviane]
As they walked toward the nearby café, Nick couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He glanced over at Sylviane, who was humming softly as they strolled down the sidewalk.
Why does she feel so… familiar? he thought again. Like we've met before, but I know we haven't.
He glanced at her again, catching her smile as she turned to him. "What's on your mind?"
"Oh, nothing," Nick replied, quickly brushing off the thought. "Just thinking about how weird it is to meet someone randomly like this."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Sylviane agreed, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "But sometimes the best things happen when you least expect them."
Nick smiled, even though the feeling of familiarity still lingered. It wasn't a bad feeling—just strange. Maybe it's nothing.
But as they entered the café, Nick couldn't help but wonder just how much longer he would be able to ignore the sense that fate had played a part in this mix-up.