Hear me out: what if—just what if—the person Zeke was chatting with over coffee was actually Aster?

Now I don't think that necessarily implies they're together. Aster and Bryce are good friends and colleagues, so they and Zeke had likely met before and maybe they even enjoy each other's company. Perhaps it was a random bump-into. Maybe Zeke was just in the neighborhood and decided to sync up (people "sync up" a lot in his industry. They also "touch base").

...yeah, I think for now we shouldn't do anything other than watch this space. I've got to say though—Aster's a much flashier dresser than Bryce ever was.

Artwork by Bill Beagle