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She’d thought any chance for love was long gone after her divorce, but after talking with Lucky at playdates and his excuses for casual drop ins, just to see how she was doing… she was beginning to hope she could have it all. A successful business and the relationship of her dreams.
“Can I be both? A successful entrepreneur and his Little Rabbit?" she whispered to herself; her voice barely audible above the hum of the espresso machine. The question lingeredover her. Lucky hadn’t been in yet, but she’d only been open an hour. She couldn’t help but keep looking for him. He’d promised to be one of her first customers. At this rate, he might not even be one of the first hundred.
The idea of Lucky’s firm hands guiding and protecting her, kept her up late at night. Yet, here she was, on the cusp of fulfilling a different kind of dream—one built from brick, paper, and the rich aroma of roasting beans. It should be enough, the support she was receiving this morning, but she longed for more. She longed to share it with someone. Not just anyone, a Daddy of her own. She wanted nothing more than to merge these two facets of her existence. It seemed an insurmountable task, a tightrope walk between two towering aspirations. Was it too much to ask life to give her both? Was she being greedy? Did she deserve it?
“Focus, Trinity,” she commanded herself. With a deep breath, she straightened her spine. Her posture emulated the strength of the oak shelves that cradled each hand-picked novel.
She closed her eyes for a heartbeat, allowing the image of Lucky's reassuring smile to fill her vision— and with the exhale, she let go of her fears, casting them aside like leaves in a gust of autumn wind. She was no longer empty nester, divorced Trinity with a very limited income. Now, she was Trinity, owner of Day & Night. She would not falter.
“I’ve got this,” she affirmed, wiping her hands on the apron she’d had made for today. Her name embroidered across the chest. Her eyes opened, alight with newfound conviction. The soft caress of plush chairs beckoned, the silent stories nestled in the bookshelves waited, and the coffee machines gleamed with the promise of new beginnings. This was her realm, her sanctuary, and she would reign over it with the grace of a queen and the playful spirit of her inner Little.
Trinity pushed through the door of Day & Night. The cool breath of outside air kissed her heated skin. Her heartbeat thrummed in her ears, a staccato rhythm that mirrored the frenzy she'd just stepped away from. The door swung closed behind her with a soft click, the muffled sounds of her bustling dream fading into the background. She leaned back against the brick facade, letting the solidness ground her as she drew long, deliberate breaths. The chill of the stone seeped through her blouse, a welcome contrast to the warmth radiating from within. Her chest rose and fell, each inhale infusing her with the crispness of the morning. Each exhale expelled the tendrils of doubt that had dared to coil around her resolve.
The town of Grand Ridge showed up in bigger numbers than she’d been prepared for. She hadn’t stopped moving in hours. Now, three hours after opening, it slowed enough for her to catch her breath. The men of Valhalla and their women had been the first to stop by. Delilah, no doubt, had something to do with that. Her best friend had come over on her break, savoring Trinity’s success beside her.
Trinity opened her eyes and gazed out at the street. It was alive with the hum of daily life—cars glided past, their engines a low purr, pedestrians navigated the sidewalks, their laughter and chatter painting the air with the colors of community. She watched as a couple embraced, their lips meeting in a tender dance that spoke volumes of their connection—unashamed in its declaration. A surge of longing rose within Trinity, a yearning for a touch that commanded yet cherished, a gaze that held power enough to unravel her yet offered a haven in its depth. Someone to celebrate this momentous occasion with. She andLucky were just friends who flirted at The Citadel, she reminded herself. She needed to reign in her expectations.
The sights and sounds of the town wrapped around her, and Trinity felt a kinship with every heartbeat, every breath that swirled through the streets. She’d made the right choice deciding on this town for Day & Night. She’d fallen in love with Grand Ridge. Nothing could change her mind.
“Here,” she breathed, allowing the essence of the town to seep into her bones, “I will write the next chapter of my story.” A story she’d been convinced was over, with the previous chapter a tragedy. Not anymore. It was never too late to add another chapter or two to your life.
She’d turned to go back inside when a rumble sliced through the hum of the town, commanding attention with its deep, throaty proclamation. Trinity's pulse quickened; her gaze drawn like a magnet to the source. There were many motorcyclists in town. She knew it could be any of them, but she was wishing for the president of the club to be straddling the back of the motorcycle.
A Harley rolled into view, its rider an embodiment of raw power. Lucky brought his beast to a halt directly in front of her, the engine's growl tapering off into a satisfied purr.
“Good morning, Little Rabbit,” he called out, dismounting with the ease of a man who knew every muscle in his body, every whisper of the road beneath his boots.
“Morning? It’s almost lunchtime,” Trinity responded. Her voice was steady despite the fluttering in her chest.
“I wanted to be here at the opening, but club business kept me. I’m sorry I wasn’t the first body through that door,” he apologized.
She nodded, knowing how seriously he took his responsibility as the president of The Spartan Watchmen Motorcycle Club. “You came, that’s all that mattered.”
“I promised I’d be here today, and I always keep my promises.” Lucky stepped closer to her.
“Well, every sunrise has a promise,” she muttered, reciting the words from the sign hanging above the espresso machine. She did this a lot. Quote random things when she was anxious or nervous.
Lucky's eyes met hers. “And some promises are just waitin' to be claimed, Little Rabbit.”
“Perhaps they are,” she whispered, the hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Do you want to come in for an Americano?” The espresso mixed with water was his favorite, although she couldn’t understand how he could drink something with so little flavor.
“Yes.” He followed her through the door and sat down at the counter in one of the high back bar stools. “Are there any of Corky’s breakfast burritos left?” One item she contracted Corky for was his breakfast burritos. The egg, chorizo, and cheese, with roasted green chiles that had been locally grown.“I might have put one aside for you,” she said with a wink. Hoping he’d keep his promise and show up, she’d written his name in permanent marker across the aluminum foil wrapped burrito in the fridge. She was glad she had, as they had sold out of the rest.
“It was super busy earlier and just slowed down now. I’m grateful for the pause, actually. I needed a bit of a breather.”
“Are you being a good girl?” Lucky leaned on his elbows; his tone hushed so only she could hear it. A blush crept up her neck at his words.
“Always.”
“You are always a good girl, aren’t you?” Lucky confirmed. “Even when you are being deliciously naughty.”
“Lucky!” she hissed, subconsciously crossing her legs. It took one sentence from him for her underwear to dampen. She’d forgotten what this felt like. The goosebumps on her arms,the pebbled nipples, the moisture gathering between her legs. A warning, or a look, that felt like a rock dropping into her stomach. The give and take, the laughter, and the way all of her senses heightened around him.
He chuckled, leaned back, and took a long drink from his Americano. “This tastes different.”
“I infused it with cinnamon. I remember how you liked it on your hot chocolate and thought…” Should she not have?
“It’s delicious. I’d like it this way every time you make it.”
