Morning Tension

The morning began with the low hiss of the espresso machine and the soft shuffle of chairs being arranged. The city outside was still waking, but inside Navarro Coffee, the rhythm had already started—uneven, strained, yet determined. Ivy adjusted her new name tag for the third time, straightening it with unnecessary precision.

“Let’s make sure the grinders are clean before the morning crowd,” she said briskly, her tone carrying more authority than confidence. The younger ...