The place I was taking Charles was a short drive away from my apartment, tucked between a butcher shop and a used bookstore. I knew all three owners for their cakes, their quality pork shoulders, and their fantastic selection of hardcover books that I could add to my bookcase for the ~aesthetic~.

It was an expensive little café I went to whenever I finished a book because I could celebrate with a really good cup of tea and a large assortment of sweets. You know, something ...