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“That’ll be nice. Your brother is far off in the city. You don’t want me to grow old so soon, do you?”

“You’re still too young to think of aging, Dad,” Lux said. “I’ll see you soon.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Half an hour later, she entered the coffee shop off Main Street. The place was small but cozy with mismatched wooden chairs and tables scattered throughout.

She once frequented this place when she had dated Sarah. They’d come here every weekend before she went to the station. It was beautiful, at least for the months it lasted. Soon, their time here grew shorter and shorter. At first, by an hour, then to mere minutes.

She wasn’t surprised when Sarah asked for a breakup. It all didn’t matter anymore. That was nearly half a decade ago. Now, all she craved was coffee.

She approached the counter, nodding at the barista. “The usual, Flora,” she said. “Black.”

“Sure you don’t want our special for today?”

“Only if you can convince me that the day is special.”

“Every day is special in Phoenix Ridge.” Flora chuckled. “Something special coming up.”

Lux leaned against the counter, waiting for her coffee. Her eyes wandered over the few patrons scattered around the shop. Most were familiar faces, townspeople who started their day with the same routine as her.

As she scanned, her gaze landed on someone familiar sitting at a corner table—the new lieutenant at the fire station. Dark ponytail. Big, expressive brown eyes. Full lips. A body made for sin. Very attractive. Zoey something, wasn’t it?

Maybe Flora was right; today might be special after all.

Lux watched a little longer. Zoey sat alone, her hands wrapped around a mug of coffee, her eyes fixed on something outside the window. She looked out of place in the relaxed setting, her posture stiff, her eyes distant.

“A cappuccino for Phoenix Ridge’s best pilot,” Flora said, smiling at Lux.

She placed it on the counter with a quiet clink, but Lux didn’t move to grab it immediately. Instead, she watched Zoey, curious as she was interested in what lay behind those pretty eyes.

Lux finally picked up her cup and walked across the room slowly.

“Morning,” Lux said with her most seductive look, stopping at Zoey’s table.

Zoey looked up, her eyes widening, then quickly becoming neutral. “Morning.”Her voice was calm but had a hint of something guarded in her tone. It was as though she had been lost in her head and hated the interruption. Lux didn’t mind. She nodded toward the empty chair across from Zoey.

“Mind if I sit?”

Zoey hesitated for a moment then gestured to the chair. “Go ahead.”

Lux sat down, setting her coffee on the table. The chair creaked slightly under her weight. She studied Zoey, trying to get a read on her.

“How are you settling in?” Lux asked, even though she already knew the answer. It was an easy way to start the conversation.

“If I had a penny every time I’ve been asked that, I’d be a billionaire by now.”

“I doubt there are that many people in these parts,” Lux said with a little laugh. Zoey didn’t join in. Lux curled her lips in a warm smile nonetheless.“You seem to be finding your way around quite well.”

“I guess so.”

Lux motioned toward the coffee in Zoey’s hand. “Great coffee, right?”

Zoey nodded. “Best I’ve had since I’ve been here.”

“You’ve had coffee elsewhere?”

“No.”