Mia, you should’ve seen the river district after sunset; it felt nothing like the glossy version in the travel photos.

I’m listening, Ethan—what made it different?

For one thing, the old warehouses were still working buildings, not just renovated cafés, so the whole waterfront sounded alive.

That’s exactly the kind of place I’d prefer, although I imagine it was less peaceful than the historic center.

Much less peaceful, but in a good way; buses rattled past, vendors shouted across the market, and someone was playing trumpet under the bridge.