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“Thank you,” I blurted out, unable to contain my gratitude any longer. “I really thought Pebble’s Brew was done for.”
“Me too,” he admitted with a wry smile. “But we made one heck of a team, didn’t we?”
“Like peanut butter and jelly,” I replied, giggling at our unexpected success.
“Or coffee and cream,” he countered, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Exactly!” I grinned, feeling warmth spread through me, realizing that, together, we could overcome anything.
“Come here,” Caleb said softly, opening his arms. The invitation was clear, and I hesitated only for a second before stepping into his embrace. As his strong arms wrapped around me, I felt the last of my anxiety slip away, replaced by a sense of peace and belonging.
“Today was intense,” I mumbled into his chest, inhaling the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the lingering aroma of coffee.
“Definitely not how I expected to spend my day,” he agreed, chuckling. “But, honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“Really?” I asked, pulling back slightly to look up at him.
“Really,” he confirmed, his gaze never leaving mine. “Zoe, I’ve spent years hiding behind my money, company, and reputation. Today, with you, I felt more alive than I have in a long time.”
“Me too,” I whispered, feeling a rush of emotion at his admission. “I’ve been so focused on keeping Pebble’s Brew afloat that I forgot how important it is to lean on others and trust them.”
“Trust is a powerful thing,” Caleb murmured, his eyes searching my face. “And I promise, from now on, we’ll face everything together—as partners.”
“Partners,” I echoed, the word feeling like a vow.
“Deal?” he asked, extending his hand.
“Deal,” I agreed, shaking it firmly.
I couldn’t help but smile—because sometimes, when life hands you lemons, you find someone who knows just how to make the perfect cup of lemonade.
Chapter 22
Thearomaoffreshlybrewed coffee enveloped me as I stepped behind the counter at Pebble’s Brew. I took a deep breath, savoring the rich scent. After yesterday’s successful health inspection, I was riding high on a caffeine rush of confidence.
That feeling evaporated quicker than steam from an espresso machine when I spotted the post on social media. Someone had leaked my secret house blend recipe for all to see!
My hands shook, and I nearly dropped my phone as I frantically called Caleb.
“You need to get down here now,” I said the moment he picked up. “It’s an emergency.”
Within minutes, Caleb burst through the door with the intensity of an approaching storm. His furrowed brows and sharp eyes told me he was ready for action.
I thrust my phone at him. “Look! Someone posted our secret blend online. What are we going to do? If Big Java gets their hands on this, Pebble’s Brew will be ruined.”
Caleb’s jaw tightened as he scrolled through the post. “I’ll figure this out,” he said, determination etching his face.
His assured tone slightly calmed my pounding heart.
Caleb pulled out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen. “I’m texting some contacts to track down who leaked this,” he said. “Could be corporate espionage from Big Java.”
I paced behind the counter, my thoughts churning like the espresso machine. What if Big Java really had stolen our secret recipe? They could easily replicate my unique blend and lure away customers with their expansive franchises.
Pebble’s Brew was my heart and soul. Losing regulars to Big Java felt like watching pieces of myself drift away on the tide.
Caleb’s voice cut through my spiraling worries. “Got my tech guys on it. We’ll figure this out, Zoe.”
His confidence buoyed me like a life preserver. I gave him a small smile. “I know you’ve got my back.”
