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Chapter One

Emma

Sometimes dreams really do smell like freshly ground coffee beans and old book pages.

The evening rush has finally died down, leaving me alone in my kingdom of stories and caffeine.

Chapter & Grind.

The Iron Ridge locals favorite book shop. My impossible dream turned brick-and-mortar reality. It feels especially magical at this hour. The exposed wooden beams overhead catch the last golden rays of sunlight streaming through the bay windows, illuminating dust motes dancing above the bookshelves that stretch from floor to ceiling.

This place is any book lovers heaven.

But three years ago, this space was nothing but a dusty abandoned storefront with water damage and dreams of better days.

I remember standing in the empty shell, clutching my business plan in trembling hands while my mother's voiceechoed in my head:"A bookstore-café? In this economy? Emma, be realistic, for goodness sake!"

Now… it's the heartbeat of Iron Ridge.

At least… it is for the dreamers, the readers, and the caffeine addicts who need somewhere to soothe their withdrawals.

My fingers trail along the worn spines of the romance section as I manage to take a moment for the first time all day, savoring the feeling of being surrounded by stories and the endless possibilities I constantly dream up in my head in moments like this.

The coffee counter, with its gleaming espresso machine, is my second favorite spot of my little cozy shop. The first being the sunken reading area by the fireplace where I've spent countless nights curled up after hours, reading books I can't bear to put down.

I've labeled that particular armchair "Reserved for a Chaos Gremlin," which never fails to make Lucy, my best friend and Iron Ridge local, laugh.

I'm still riding the high from yesterday's charity game.

My special "Hat Trick" blend practically sold out before the second period even started. Maybe that's why I feel especially protective of my little sanctuary tonight, like I'm finally proving that following your heart isn't always the wrong choice.

I run my fingers along the sleek, forest green label of the coffee sachet I designed myself, the words "Chapter & Grind" emblazoned across the front in a font that took me three days to perfect.

It's a small thing really, but… it'smine.

Something my mother would probably call a "cute little hobby" with that painfully condescending smile of hers. The smile that says, "When are you going to grow up and get a real job like your sister?"

The smile that's haunted me since childhood, when my dreams were too big and too loud for the neat boxes Cynthia Carter had prepared for her daughters.

Still, I'd rather have this "hobby" than my sisters picture-perfect suburban life. With its color-coordinated throw pillows and PTA meetings…blurgh.

My sister might have followed the script, but I've written my own.

Complete with the smell of freshly roasted beans and the sound of freshly printed new release pages turning on quiet, lazy afternoons in Iron Ridge.

The bell above the door chimes, and I look up to see Lucy bouncing in with Connor trailing behind her, both of them grinning like they've just heard the world's best secret.

"There she is!" Lucy announces, slamming her palms dramatically onto the counter. "Iron Ridge's new caffeine dealer. You're practically famous, Emma!"

I roll my eyes, but can't help the smile spreading across my face. "Please. It's just coffee."

"Just coffee?" Connor looks personally offended as he slides onto one of the bar stools. "That 'Shot Block' blend you had at the game yesterday? I drank three cups and played the best third period of my life."

"That's because you were so wired you probably saw the puck in slow motion," Lucy teases, reaching over to ruffle his hair.

"Yeah," Connor laughs. "Can't say Coach was too pleased. Lucky it was only a pre-season warm up. "

Connor captures Lucy's hand and presses a kiss to her palm, making her blush furiously. Those two are still in that honeymoon phase where they can't keep their hands off each other.