Chapter 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 scared is a 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."
"Everything with you is complicated." Sophie said it without judgment. "Was it a hockey player? Back wherever you came from?"
Rachel studied her latte, watching the foam heart slowly dissolve. "Yes."
"Did he hurt you?"
"Not... not physically. But yes. He hurt me.
" Rachel forced herself to meet Sophie's eyes.
"And it was public. And humiliating. And I spent six months living in a town where everyone knew about it, where I couldn't go anywhere without people whispering.
So I left. I came here to start over where nobody knows my story. "
Sophie was quiet for a moment. "Okay. That makes sense. That makes a lot of sense actually." She reached across the table but didn't quite touch Rachel's hand, giving her space. "But Mac isn't whoever that guy was."
"Everyone keeps saying that."
"Because it's probably true. Rachel, I've known Mac since he was a kid.
We all grew up here together. He takes care of his dad, even though his dad would never admit he needs it.
He tips twenty percent on a two-dollar coffee.
He turned down offers from bigger teams because he doesn't want to leave Evergreen Cove. That's who he is."
"Brad seemed like a good guy too. At first." The name slipped out before Rachel could stop it.
"Brad?"
Rachel immediately regretted saying anything. "The hockey player. From before."
"What happened with him?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Rachel's voice came out sharper than intended. "Sophie, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I can't, I'm not ready to talk about it. Not yet. Maybe not ever."
Sophie held up her hands. "Okay. Okay, I'm backing off. I'm sorry."
"You didn't—" Rachel sighed. "You're being a good friend. I'm not... I'm not good at this. At opening up…"
"Well, you said yes to Mac. That's a start."
"I don't know why I said yes." Rachel admitted quietly. "He... he looked so nervous. And he brought me those ridiculous flowers and knocked over the mystery section and I just... said yes before I could stop myself."
Sophie's smile was warm. "That's called instinct. And maybe you should trust it."
"My instincts haven't been great in the past."
"Or maybe they were great and you just dated an asshole who didn't deserve you." Sophie's voice turned firm. "Look, I don't know what Brad did. But I know Mac. And I know you. And I think maybe you should give this a chance."
Rachel laughed despite herself. "You're very convincing."
"I'm very invested in your happiness." Sophie stood up. "Now. What are you wearing tomorrow?"
"I... hadn't thought about it."
"Then we're going shopping. Non-negotiable. That boutique on Oak Street stays open until eight." Sophie grabbed her jacket. "Come on. You need a first date outfit and I need to make sure you don't chicken out between now and tomorrow at two."
"Sophie—"
"Nope. Shopping. Now. Move it, librarian."
Rachel found herself following Sophie out of the café, surprised to find she was actually smiling. Maybe Sophie was right. Maybe it was just one coffee date. Maybe it would be fine.
Or maybe she was making the biggest mistake of her life.
Again.