Chapter 1
Beth
Decisions. Why do they always seem so hard to make?
I’m not talking about the mundane, everyday kind, although choosing my outfit this morning felt like scaling a mountain. After trying on three different ensembles, I finally settled on my trusty staples—yoga pants, a cozy sweatshirt, and my Converse. Go ahead and call me an outfit repeater all you want, but today, comfort trumps fashion.
I’m only heading to the local coffee shop for a quick caffeine fix before facing what might be the most important decision of my life. The kind of choice that could make or break me. It could either elevate everything…or unravel everything.
Okay, maybe that’s a tad dramatic.
As the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills my senses, my worries momentarily disappear. I haven’t been home in a few months because of finals and finishing my internship. I’ve missed it dearly. The small town charm, the nosey-but-loving townspeople, and most importantly, my family.
I grew up here in Meadowbrook with my parents and my older brother, Ethan. I’ve always loved this town and the close community. So whatever comes next, I want to stay close to home. My parents aren’t getting any younger either and hopefully my brother will get married and give me a niece or nephew sooner rather than later. I have the why; I just have to figure out the how (I’m going to stay here financially) and the what (job will keep me close to home). How am I going to stay, and what am I going to do?
“Beth!” Ashley’s voice cuts through the coffee shop noise. “You’re home!” She runs around the counter straight toward me.
“It’s so good to see you.” I wrap my arms around her.
“It’s only been a few months, and you look like a new person. Must be the fancy college degree you just earned.”
“Now, I just have to figure out what to do with it.” I chuckle as I follow her to the front counter. Ashley’s been here most of her life. She’s a few years older than I am but she’s always been sweet and friendly. And with small towns, everyone knows everyone, whether you like it or not.
“First one’s free, college grad!”
“Thanks, Ashley. I’ll take whatever you give me. Just make it strong.”
“Peppermint Latte coming right up.” She immediately starts making my drink.
“Make it a ‘lofty.’ I’ll need all the caffeine today. Oh! And a donut too? I’ve been craving one since the last time I was here.”
“Absolutely, take your pick.”
Being in the city has its perks but there’s nothing—and I mean nothing—that compares to Sweet Sisters’ Bakery. They make special orders just for Coffee Loft every season too, and they go so perfectly with a seasonal coffee.
I scan the display of baked goods, and they all look delicious. I can’t choose one.
“Surprise me. I’m gonna grab a table.”
Ashley nods her head, and I grab the last available table. It’s in the back corner by the stairs that lead to a loft above us that’s like a mini library.
I sink into the leather armchair, pull out my computer, and sigh.
Back to the decision I reluctantly have to make. What’s my next move?
Well, I’m a twenty-five-year-old who, finally, finished her Bachelor’s degree in marketing—and only managed to change her major twice.
I recently completed an internship with a smaller marketing firm that helps small companies brand and rebrand themselves to reach their ideal audience. I was able to work with a variety of companies and made great connections during my time there.
I’ve been trying to find something that’s flexible so even if I can’t be here full-time, I can still come visit often. I’ve even toyed with the idea of freelancing. It would be a bit challenging to start but the freedom and flexibility would be there. Plus, I’d have the best boss ever…just saying.
The smell of peppermint fills my senses as Ashley gently places the steaming mug on the table.
“Any prospects yet?”
“Some potentials but nothing solid.”
“You could sling lattes with me.” Ashley winks playfully. “It’s not your marketing dream, but we’d have fun at least.”
“I might have to take you up on that if I don’t find something soon.”
“Paige is in graphic design. Maybe she knows of something?”
“That’s a great idea. I didn’t even think about it. I’ll give her a call.”
She smiles and goes back to the front counter.
The warm minty flavor of the latte is comforting. I close my eyes for a moment, savoring the taste. There isn’t any better coffee than here, especially if Ashley is making it.
My computer dings from an incoming email. It’s from one of the firms I applied to that’s in a bigger city, about an hour away. My eyes quickly skim the email as they thank me for my interest but regret to inform me that they’ve decided to move forward with a different candidate. Another dead end. My shoulders slump, and I shut my computer. I wasn’t particularly invested in this job, but rejection always stings.
I take a bite of my donut instead. A little pick-me-up after disappointing news. The rich cocoa flavor is the perfect pair to my minty drink. It takes me back to the mornings I would spend here studying whenever I’d come home for a weekend.
I stretch my arms over my head and roll my neck when my elbow knocks into something solid. I lift my head to see a paper coffee cup airborne.
“Oh, no—” I twist in my chair, arms reaching out to catch it, but it’s too late. It lands right in my lap.
I let out the breath I was holding when I realize it’s empty. Thank goodness.
“I am so sorry.” I look up, and my stomach does an ungraceful flip.
He’s unfairly tall, broad shouldered, with deep green eyes. Brown curls spill from his baseball cap, a small patch on the side reads “Pebble Beach” in faded thread.
“No, that’s on me.” A deep voice mutters.
I scramble to hand him the cup, but in my haste, I knock my own drink off the table—right onto his pristine, white, expensive-looking sneakers.
My jaw drops. “Oh my gosh.”
“It’s cool,” he says, a half smile sneaking out as he nudges his cap lower. “They’ve survived worse—like wading through Augusta’s rough when I misread a break.”
Misread a what?
“Let me get some napkins.” I take a frantic step forward—right into the peppermint latte puddle, white Converse and all.
Time slows. My arms flail. This is it.
Maybe I’ll hit my head hard enough that I’ll get short-term memory loss. Then I won’t have to remember this embarrassing moment. The moment when I met a devastatingly handsome man and then made a complete fool of myself. I’ve read enough romance novels to know this is not how a meet-cute should go.
Right when I’m sure I’m about to hit the floor, strong arms wrap around my waist. My heart jumps into my throat as I’m pressed up against a solid chest. I blink, trying to make sense of what’s happening.
I look up to find the same deep green eyes staring at me with an amused twinkle. Then I’m enveloped in the most ridiculously amazing scent—woodsy and fresh. Ugh, he even smells good.
“Whoa,” he murmurs. “You okay?”
The question seems to hang in the air between us for what feels like an eternity. His arms are still wrapped around me, and I can feel the warmth from his touch seeping through my sweatshirt.
I tear my eyes away and compose myself. “Yeah, I think so. I’m sorry about…everything.”
He drops his hands from my waist. “Really, it’s okay. No harm done.” He looks down at his stained shoes and laughs again. “Guess I needed a new pair anyway.”
I bite my lip, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and something else—something warm and fluttery.
“Let me pay for those,” I blurt out.
He raises an eyebrow. “My shoes?”
“Yes.” Although, they might cost me everything in my savings. It was a paid internship, but very minimal.
He chuckles, a warm sound that fills the air between us. “No need. It was my fault to begin with. I should have been paying attention. But I do owe you a new coffee.”
Ashley appears next to us with a stack of towels in her hands.
“You guys okay over here?” Ashley flashes me a knowing smile as she hands us towels.
“Yeah, just my clumsy self.” I nervously chuckle. “I should probably wear a warning sign.”
“Caution: May cause spontaneous coffee showers.”
A laugh bubbles out of me.
“Can I get you a replacement coffee, sir?” Ashley asks him.
“Whatever she’s having.”
“Peppermint Latte coming right up.” Ashley walks back toward the counter with a tote of dirty towels.
“I’m Matthew, by the way.” He holds out his hand.
“Beth.” I offer my hand back with a shy smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“It was my pleasure.” He smiles. “I hope you enjoy your fresh cup of coffee. Try not to spill this one.”
He leaves cash on the front counter and slips out of the coffee shop. Great, spilled coffee on a cute mystery man, and still no job.
That’s when I notice a few people staring my way. Specifically, the Madame C’s—Cecelia, Clara, and Catherine—whispering. The town’s unofficial, but official, town gossips. My mom’s going to hear about this before I even get home.