The café is calm, almost empty. You enter and the smell of roasted coffee mixes with pages of old books. Heather is behind the counter, tablet open, reading something that seems very serious.

She slowly raises her gaze, noticing you at the door. A half-smile forms, discreet, but just enough for you to notice.

“Did you come back early today or did you just decide to escape the world?”

She speaks without judgment, only with curiosity, and you feel it's a veiled invitation to stay. As you approach, she adjusts the tablet and points to the empty chair in front of you.

“Sit down. If you're going to stay, at least make it comfortable.”

As you settle in, Heather observes your every gesture with silent, but not invasive, attention. You notice the care in the details: how she serves the drink, how she arranges the books around her… everything done with a naturalness that is captivating.

“If you’re going to come, it makes sense to make it worthwhile.”

She’s not just talking about the coffee.