Page 74 of At First Catch

“Better coffee.”

He raises his eyebrows.

“The bookstore?”

I don’t answer. Mostly because answering would require admitting he isn’t wrong.

By the time I pull onto Main Street, I’ve convinced myself this is perfectly reasonable. I’ve worked all morning and deserve a break.

People buy books every day. It isn’t unusual to stop by the bookstore. Except, I park directly in front of A Page in Time without remembering making the turn.

I didn’t come for a book. I came because I wanted to see her. Simply because seeing Hadley has become the best part of my day. I’m rearranging my schedule just to spend fifteen minutes in the same room with her.

I step into the café next door first.

“Two?” the barista asks with a knowing smile.

I blink.

“What?”

“You’ve ordered the same two drinks four times this week.”

The blood rushes to my face, making my cheeks burn and my ears throb.

“Yeah.”

She waves me off, then turns to make them.

“No worries.”

That feels worse.

Five minutes later, I’m climbing the lighthouse steps, carrying both coffees and trying very hard not to acknowledge that my pulse has quickened.

The bell above the bookstore door jingles. And almost my eyes find Hadley. Like they were always going to.

She looks up from a stack of books near the back shelves. And there it is again, that sudden, irrepressible crinkle around her eyes, mirroring the sunbeams breaking through clouds. The one that makes every decision leading me here suddenly feel completely worth it.

I cross the remaining distance between us and hold out one of the coffees.

“Peace offering.”

Hadley’s eyes drop to the cup before lifting back to mine.

“What did you do?”

“Interesting that you assume I’ve done something.”

“Nolan.”

“Drink your coffee.”

She takes it suspiciously, turning the cup enough to read the order printed along the side.

Her eyes narrow.

“How do you know my coffee order?”