Sophie:Not even a little bit. So? Are you freaking out?
Rachel:Completely.
Sophie:Want to come to the café after work? We'll talk through it.
Rachel:Yes please.
Sophie:Good. 6 PM. I'll have lattes waiting. And we're going shopping after. Non-negotiable.
Rachel: Sophie, no!
Sophie:You need a date outfit. See you at 6.
5
Rachel
Sophie's Café was winding down when Rachel arrived at six, the evening crowd thinning to a few regulars nursing coffee and laptops. The warm scent of coffee and cinnamon hung in the air, mixing with the soft jazz playing from the speakers. Sophie waved her over to a corner table where two lattes were already waiting, foam art hearts decorating the top of each.
Sophie slid into the seat across from her, her almost-black hair escaping from its ponytail in a way that somehow looked intentional. "Okay. Talk to me. What are you feeling?"
"Terrified. Excited. Stupid. All of it at once." Rachel wrapped her hands around the warm mug. The ceramic was smooth under her palms.
"So... normal first date feelings then." Sophie grinned. "That's actually a good sign."
"Is it?"
"Means you actually care. If you weren't nervous, I'd be worried." Sophie took a sip of her latte, studying Rachel over the rim. "But you look more than nervous. You look like you're about to bolt."
Rachel's fingers tightened around her cup. "I just... I haven't dated in a while."
"How long is a while?"
"A while."
Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Rachel. Come on. We've been friends for a few months and you've never once mentioned dating anyone. Or wanting to date anyone. Or even looking at anyone. Until Mac showed up with those ridiculous flowers today and apparently broke through whatever fortress you've built around yourself."
Rachel’s defenses rose. "I needed time to settle in. New town, new job—"
"Six months is past settling in. That's actively avoiding." She wasn't pushing, not exactly, but she wasn't letting it go either. "And I'm not judging. I'm just saying... something happened. Something that made you say no to every single guy who's asked you out since you got here."
"I was focused on work."
"You're always focused on work. You're at that library more than you're at your apartment." Sophie leaned forward. "Rachel, I like you. A lot. You're smart and funny and you care about people. But you're also hiding. And I don't know from what, because you never talk about your life before Evergreen Cove. You never mention family, friends, or why you moved here. Nothing."
Rachel's chest tightened. She hadn't realized Sophie had been paying such close attention. "There's not much to tell."
"See, that's what people say when there's actually a lot to tell and they don't want to talk about it." Sophie's expression softened. "Look, I'm not trying to pry. But Mac is one of the good guys, Rach. And if you're going to run away from this before it even starts, I need to know it's for a real reason and not because you're scared."
"What if being scaredisa real reason?"
"Scared of what? Mac? He's about as threatening as a golden retriever."
"Scared of..." Rachel trailed off. "Hockey players."
Sophie blinked. "Hockey players? Like, as a species?"
"It's complicated."
