Daniel’s POV
The sign of La Cour Royale flickered as Marcus and I stepped inside, shaking off the late August drizzle.
The place was my sanctuary with dim lights, jazz songs humming low, the scent of garlic and red wine promising a fine dining.
Marcus, my best friend since college, was already yapping about some crypto scheme he swore would make us millionaires.
I rolled my eyes, half-listening, as the hostess led us to my favorite corner booth, tucked away from the normal space.
“Man, I’m telling you, Dogecoin’s making a comeback,” Marcus said, sliding into the leather seat, his grin wide as ever. “You in or what?”
“Pass,” I said, smirking as I scanned the menu. “Last time I listened to you, I lost fifty bucks on that NFT nonsense.”
He clutched his chest in a mock-offence. “You h
