The morning light brushed my skin as I stepped out of the truck, heart full, possibilities unfolding behind me—and for once, I didn’t feel the need to run from them.
The rest of the morning passed in a quiet haze of routine. Feed the cats. Shower. Try on four different sweaters before giving up and choosing the one Nate once said made me look like a cup of cocoa.
I opened the Coffee Cabin a few minutes late, hair still damp and heart still full.
But by mid-morning, the warm haze of last night had burned off like steam on the espresso machine.
“Hey,” a voice said behind me, sharp and smooth all at once.
I turned. Graham.
He stood too close to the walk-up window, hands in the pockets of his sleek coat, expression carefully neutral.
His sudden presence at the window made my stomach twist. I wiped my hands on a dish towel, steadying myself. “Did you need something, Graham?” I asked, careful to keep my tone even.
“Eliza,” he said with a smile that didn’t touch his eyes. “Your sisters are something else.”
I blinked. “They tend to be.”
He chuckled, like we were old friends sharing a private joke. “I didn’t mean to offend them. I guess I underestimated how protective they are.”
I kept my face pleasant. Neutral. “They’re my family.”
“Well,” he said, leaning in slightly. “I just wanted to apologize again for my behavior. Wouldn’t want town gossip to make things awkward for you. Or Nate.” A subtle jab tucked inside velvet words.
“Thanks,” I said, voice light. “I think the town’s memory will focus on who really made a spectacle of themselves.”
He smiled again. “I’d hate to see you caught in the middle of something messy.”
“I’m good at cleaning up messes. Comes with practice, sadly.”
His jaw ticked. Then he stepped back and tipped an imaginary hat. “Enjoy your day, Eliza.”
I watched him walk away, the air shifting in his absence, leaving a faint chill that had nothing to do with the weather outside. My fingers curled around the edge of the counter as I tried to shake off the unease that lingered.
He wasn’t sorry. I knew him better than that.
I exhaled slowly and turned back to my espresso machine, willing my hands to steady.
I didn’t want to tell Nate. Not yet. Not when things had just started to feel like they were finally falling into place.
But deep down, I knew Graham wasn’t done. And I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep pretending I could handle him on my own.
I was wiping down the counter for the second time in five minutes when Cara popped through the back door like she owned the place. She had a to-go cup in one hand and her scarf askew.
“I need something with sugar and caffeine real bad,” she breathlessly announced.
I wordlessly made her a mocha with whipped cream and slid a lemon bar across the counter.
She took a sip, then sighed like the drink had exorcised at least two personal demons. “Okay. I came to give you a debrief.”
“On what?”
“Last night. After you left with Nate.” She wiggled her brows. “Which, by the way, youdefinitelyleft with Nate. Don’t try to deny it.”
I tried not to blush and probably failed. “We had dinner.”
“Mmhmm. Sure, you did.” She smirked, then leaned on the counter. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you what your oldest two sisters got up to.”
