Chapter 17

• Cyrus:-)
• The café was finally calming down after the hectic morning rush, and I took a moment to catch my breath behind the counter. The hum of conversation, the clinking of mugs, and the hiss of the espresso machine had all become background noise to me, a comforting rhythm that kept me grounded during the busiest hours.
• Barry and Bryan, my coworkers—and unofficial tormentors—were stationed nearby. Barry was wiping down tables while Bryan restocked the pastry display. As usual, their banter was impossible to escape.