Chapter 17
Chapter 17: The Art of the Morning After
Ashley and Rowan return to Maya's café the morning after their kiss, only to find Michelle already there and Leo Vance waiting outside with a proposal to turn the café into a 'live podcast venue.' Maya's dry resistance, Leo's relentless enthusiasm, and Michelle's philosophical commentary create a comic standoff. Rowan and Ashley navigate the chaos with a newfound ease, grounding themselves in the present moment despite the absurdity.
The café smelled like coffee and the faint ghost of spilled tart crumbs. Maya was already behind the counter, her expression caught somewhere between professional patience and the quiet fury of someone who had been at work since five. She slid a mug across the counter toward Ashley without being asked.
"You look like you slept well," Maya said. Her voice was flat, but a corner of her mouth twitched.
Ashley wrapped her hands around the mug. The warmth was immediate, grounding. "I slept fine."
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