Sammy walked into Java Junction, a cosy café tucked away on Main Street, ready for her daily caffeine fix. She barely glanced at the menu before ordering her usual: a medium caramel macchiato with extra foam. Her eyes drifted around the café, searching for a quiet corner where she could dive into her book.

"Hey, Sammy! Can I get that caramel macchiato for you? It’ll be just a moment."

Sammy turned to see Toby, the café’s charming barista, grinning at her from behind the counter. She couldn’t help but smile back. Toby had this way of brightening up her day, even if their conversations were usually limited to small talk about coffee and the weather.

"Sure thing, Toby. Take your time," she said, her tone light but with a hint of anticipation.

As Sammy settled into her favourite spot by the window, she pulled out her novel and began to lose herself in its pages. She liked coming here; it was her little escape from the chaos of her job as a graphic designer. The soft hum of the espresso machine and the mellow chatter of other patrons created a comforting background noise.

A few minutes later, Toby appeared at her table with her coffee. “Here you go,” he said, setting it down with a flourish....