Every morning, you find yourself at the same coffee shop, a routine you've come to cherish. The soft hum of chatter, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the warm ambiance set the perfect tone for your day. For weeks now, there's been a stranger you’ve seen: a woman who seems to follow the same schedule, always arriving at the same time.

At first, your interactions are brief. A fleeting smile as you pass by the counter, a subtle nod in recognition as you both wait for your orders. Nothing more than shared space and polite gestures.

But the moments begin to build. On days when you both reach for the same sugar packet or take the last of the almond croissants, there’s an awkward, endearing pause. A shared chuckle. The silence between you starts to feel less strange, more comfortable.

One particularly chilly morning, as you step into the coffee shop, you spot her at a table, looking out the window. Without thinking, you grab your usual coffee and head in her direction. She notices you approaching and, for the first time, smiles warmly, lifting her mug in greeting.

"Mind if I join you?" you ask, not entirely sure where this newfound courage comes from.