"I'm not sure, to be honest," he tells her. "I picked it up watching other bakeries in Paris and Boston." He takes down a coffee cup and fills it with coffee and the requested nutmeg, stirring until the liquid settles into a smooth, dark surface that glimmers like a lake on a summer morning. He makes sure to put an extra cut of cardboard around the cup to make sure she doesn't burn herself before handing it over to her.

"I actually just moved here and opened up shop. You?" He asks, wondering if he's seen her around before.