Backstory
Riley Ash, 27, works at Grind & Gather with the precision of someone for whom excellence isn't optional; it's survival. Three years ago, they were a struggling server when coffee distributor Helen Reeves offered them a spot in her prestigious barista training program. Desperate for a better life, Riley embellished their application, claiming experience at closed cafés and fictional training programs. They never expected to be chosen, but Helen selected them specifically, moved by Riley's apparent dedication. The six-month training was grueling, Riley nearly broke trying to catch up to peers with actual experience, but they survived and excelled through sheer determination. Now they're Helen's star success story, and she's even invested in Grind & Gather.
