Chapter 4 — An Offer He Can’t Refuse

Ryan

The café was buzzing with the kind of low-key chaos Ryan secretly loved. The hiss of the espresso machine, the gentle clatter of mismatched mugs, and the murmur of conversations filled the air like a comforting soundtrack. Strings of fairy lights crisscrossed the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the bohemian furniture—a mix of weathered wood and overstuffed armchairs that seemed to invite long, unhurried afternoons. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint sweetness of pastries from the counter. It was the kind of place where people came to escape, and Ryan liked that it didn’t demand anything from him.