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Taking a deep breath, I pushed my worries aside. I returned behind the counter, determined to keep my promise and protect our little slice of heaven from whatever changes Caleb might bring.
The bell above the door chimed, signaling the arrival of more customers. I threw myself back into the rhythm of work, my hands moving with practiced ease as I frothed milk and ground beans. In between orders, my gaze drifted to a family settling down at their usual table by the window, their laughter mingling with the steam from their mugs.
That moment was a bittersweet reminder of the community ties I cherished and the potential threat looming on the horizon. My heart swelled with love for this place, my haven, my home. I couldn’t imagine Pebble Point without Pebble’s Brew—or the people who filled it with life day after day.
“Zoe, can I get a double espresso?” Mrs. Jenkins asked, her voice pulling me back from my thoughts.
“Coming right up,” I replied, my smile genuine and full of warmth as I prepared her drink. After all, the people in this town—my community, my family — made every battle worth fighting for.
Chapter 3
Justafterthelunchrush, I carefully wiped down the counter. My movements were automatic as I tried to regain my composure after Jamie’s revelation about Caleb’s return and his involvement in the new development project. The smell of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, but it wasn’t enough to keep my thoughts from racing.
“Zoe, you know that antique coffee machine is so spotless, it could easily pass for brand-new, right?” Jamie teased as he entered Pebble’s Brew for the second time that day, with a playful grin as he leaned against the counter.
“Ha-ha, very funny,” I replied, rolling my eyes while trying to focus on the task at hand. I couldn’t shake the image of Caleb’s stormy blue eyes or the memory of our high school rivalry.
“Come on, sis, I’m just trying to lighten the mood. I just wanted to check on you. You seemed super tense when I told you about Mr. CEO coming back to town,” Jamie said, raising an eyebrow.
“Wouldn’t you be?” I shot back, pausing my cleaning for a moment. “Caleb Masters is about to turn our sleepy little beach town into a bustling tourist trap.”
“Okay, okay,” Jamie conceded, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “But maybe it won’t be so bad. You never know; he could’ve changed since we last saw him.”
“Changed? Caleb?” I scoffed, resuming my cleaning. “He was the most competitive person I’ve ever known, always trying to outdo me. And now he’s a big-shot billionaire. I doubt he’s changed much.”
“Hey, people can surprise you,” Jamie insisted, offering a warm smile. “Besides, isn’t there a saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer?”
“Very clever, Jamie,” I sighed, finishing up the last of the cleaning. “But you’re not the one who might have to deal with him daily.”
“True, but I’ll be here to support you and listen to your endless rants about him,” Jamie promised, nudging me gently with his shoulder.
“Thanks,” I muttered, appreciating his effort to make me feel better. But deep down, I couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to see Caleb again after all these years. And whether our old rivalry would turn into something more complicated.
My hand paused over a stubborn latte stain on the counter, and suddenly, I was 16 again, standing in the crowded high school gymnasium. The air buzzed with excitement as students showcased their science projects. Caleb’s volcano simulation had been an impressive feat of engineering that drew gasps from the crowd. My own project, a solar-powered coffee maker, paled in comparison.
“Zoe Daniels, always playing it safe,” he had taunted me back then, his stormy blue eyes flashing with triumph as he hoisted the first prize trophy. “Maybe one day you’ll take a risk and actually win something.”
“Keep dreaming, Masters,” I had snapped, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger, the words hanging in the air like a lingering storm cloud. But deep down, I couldn’t help admiring his ingenuity, the way he could turn even the most mundane task into a daring adventure.
The chime of the door jolted me back to the present. I blinked, the memory still lingering in the corners of my mind like spilled coffee on a countertop, leaving behind traces of both bitterness and warmth. A young couple entered Pebble’s Brew, their hands entwined, and I plastered on my warmest smile. “Welcome! What can I get for you today?”
“Two caramel lattes, please,” the woman said, returning my smile.
“Coming right up!” I replied, setting to work on their drinks while my thoughts circled around Caleb. Would he still have that same smug grin? That air of confidence that could be both infuriating and intoxicating?
“Here you go,” I said, handing over the steaming cups. “Enjoy!”
“Thanks!” the couple chimed in unison, their happiness contagious. They found a cozy corner table, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts once more, the hum of conversation around me fading into the background.
“Earth to Zoe,” Jamie teased, snapping his fingers in front of my face. “You’re a thousand miles away. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Fine,” I lied, forcing a laugh. “Just reminiscing about the good ol’ high school days.”
“Ah, those were the times,” he sighed wistfully. “Do you remember when we tried to build that weird potato clock for science class?”
“Of course!” I chuckled, allowing myself to get swept up in his light-hearted banter. “That thing was a disaster, but at least we had fun trying.”
“Exactly,” Jamie agreed, nudging me gently. “And who knows? Maybe Caleb’s changed too. People grow up, right?”
