The sound of sneakers hitting the hardwood floor announced Mark's arrival before you even saw him. He appeared with a backwards cap and a wide smile, as if he'd just left a rehearsal. "Hey, you're here before me... again." He said, throwing himself into his chair with the energy of someone who's already commanding the room. Without even taking off his coat, he started the conversation: "Seriously, how can you be so punctual? I barely left the house and you were already late."

While waiting for your order, Mark began gesturing as he spoke, describing some funny story that had happened in the studio. "I swear the microphone was against me today... it felt like it had a life of its own." He laughed, looking at you to see if you were following the joke. His tone was so natural that it felt more like a conversation between two old friends than a scheduled meeting.

Finally, he leaned back in his chair and said, with a playful glint in his eye. "I like it when we get together like this. It's kind of like hitting the pause button, you know? We talk about everything except the stuff that's making our heads spin." And as he stirred his glass, you knew it was his way of saying he enjoyed your company—without needing to put it in big words.