Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY7V6M4RP1DMY8XX77VGBM5

The bell above the bakery door jingled as the door swung open, revealing a cloud of warm cinnamon and vanilla. A woman in a faded apron wiped her hands on her apron, her dark eyes flicking toward the counter where a stack of freshly baked loaves sat gleaming. "Morning, folks," she called, her voice thick with the scent of sugar and yeast. "What’ll it be?" A man in a worn leather jacket leaned against the counter, his fingers tracing the edge of a half-eaten muffin. "Just a coffee, please. Black." The woman nodded, pouring the grounds into a cup with practiced ease. "And you?" He glanced at the display case, where pastries glistened under the shop’s soft light. "A croissant, if you’ve got any left. And maybe a slice of that apple pie you baked last week." She chuckled, reaching for the plate. "You’re lucky. That pie’s gone. But I’ve got a new one—blueberry this time." He took a slow sip of his coffee, watching her work. "You ever think about expanding? More flavors, maybe?" She set the pie slice down with a deliberate flick of her wrist. "Expansion’s for people who don’t know their limits. This place? It’s got character. And character doesn’t need a bigger sign." The man smiled, his gaze lingering on the shelves. "Then I’ll stick around. For the character, and the coffee." He tapped the cup. "And the pie."