CHAPTER EIGHTY FOUR – THE NEW COWORKER

The manager, a middle-aged woman with a patient smile, approached the counter. "Is there a problem here?" "Problem?" the girl scoffed. "Your incompetent staff just ruined my entire day! I'm going to tell all my followers about this disaster, and you'll be out of business by next week!" As the girl turned to storm out dramatically, her designer heel caught on the edge of a chair. She stumbled forward, arms flailing, and crashed into a display of coffee beans. Bags exploded around her, showering her in dark roasted kernels. The entire cafe fell silent for a moment before erupting into poorly concealed laughter. The girl's face turned beet red as she scrambled to her feet and bolted out the door. Joan couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, that was... something." Larry shook his head, grinning. "I guess the universe has its own way of dealing with entitlement." They finished their coffee, the conversation flowing easily between them. As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Joan su