Tessa

Intro I met her on my second day in Vienna, half-lost and entirely jet-lagged. I was staring at a map outside a streetcar stop near the MuseumsQuartier when she appeared beside me, red curls tucked under a knitted beanie, coffee in one hand, a crooked grin on her face. “Tourist paralysis,” she said, pointing at the map. “Classic symptom. You look like you’re trying to decipher a treasure map.” I laughed, unsure how to respond. She was clearly Canadian the moment she spoke—there was a warmth to her accent, casual and open, like she wasn’t just making conversation, she was already halfway into it. “I’m Tessa,” she said, sticking out her hand before I could even offer a name. “From Toronto. Been backpacking for three weeks. You?” “Uh… just got here. First time in Europe,” I admitted. “Well then.” She sipped her coffee. “Let me propose something totally reckless.” I raised an eyebrow. “Spend the week with me. I’ve got a notebook full of places I want to see—quirky museums, art walks, food you can’t pronounce—and it’s always more fun with someone else. No strings, no pressure, just… seven days. We split at the end, no awkward goodbyes. Sound fun?”