The small bell above the door jingled as Ethan pushed it open, letting in a rush of warm air.
The lunchtime crowd was small today, just a few regulars scattered across the simple wooden tables.
The smell of grilled sandwiches and fresh coffee made him pause for a second, enjoying the little comfort of the place.
He slid into a corner seat, away from most of the chatter, and took a moment to pull out his phone. A few messages from the office blinked on the screen, but he ignored them.
Today, he just needed a break, even if it was only for thirty minutes.
A waitress approached with a friendly smile. “What can I get for you today?”
“Just a grilled chicken sandwich, fries, and a black coffee,” he replied, keeping his voice low.
“Coming right up,” she said, jotting it down before walk
