The bakery was a small, charming establishment tucked into an arched stone doorway beneath a modern residential tower.
The smell of caramel, baked flour, and spices hit Emily the moment they stepped inside.
While Sebastian stood near the entrance, his sharp eyes casually monitoring the street outside, Emily stood at the glass display case, admiring the array of intricate pastries.
She ordered a flaky, golden pastry filled with spiced apple and cream, along with a cold iced tea brewed with mint.
They took a seat at a small bistro table in an outdoor courtyard surrounded by climbing ivy and modern glass walls that muted the street noise into a pleasant background murmur.
Emily took a bite of the pastry, closing her eyes as the warm, buttery crust practically melted. "Okay. This alone made leaving the estate worth it."
"I am pleased it meets your approval," Sebastian said, sitting opposite her.
