Snow crunches underfoot as I push the café door open, the warm air inside hitting me with the smell of cinnamon, espresso, and whipped cream. It's December 24th, and everything feels electric.
Brian waves at me the moment I step in. "Morning, handsome guy!"
Yuna elbows him from behind the counter. "You're gonna scare the customers away."
"Or attract them," Brian retorts with a wink.
I'm already laughing as I hang my coat on the hook. The morning shift is ours—me, Brian, and Yuna—and chaos is a guarantee. It's been days since Brian's first trial day.
The line outside is long, people huddled in scarves and puffer jackets, hungry for warmth and holiday sweetness. Inside, the playlist loops through jazzy Christmas covers. It's the good kind of busy. The alive kind.
