Page 2 of Designing Love (Bluewater Cove #2)

MORNING RUN AND COFFEE

Ethan

S unlight drifts lazily across Bluewater Cove, turning Main Street into a scene from a postcard.

My sneakers crunch rhythmically against gravel, and I breathe deeply, savoring the crisp morning air.

Without the summer tourists crowding the sidewalks, I feel like I have the whole town open for my daily run again.

I push myself, relishing the quiet hum of the town waking up. Passing by Tom’s Flower Shop, I spot him struggling valiantly with an enormous fern, its fronds flapping wildly as if in rebellion.

“Need a hand, Tom?” I slow my jog, unable to suppress a grin at his losing battle.

“Absolutely not,” Tom insists stubbornly, wrestling to regain control. “Completely under control.”

The fern promptly spills dirt all over his feet. Tom sighs, throwing me a helpless look.

“Under control, huh?” I tease.

“You know how I love a challenge,” Tom mutters dryly, brushing dirt from his apron.

Laughing, I pick up speed again, nearing Lucas’ Coffee Shop. A familiar sense of comfort spreads through me. As I enter, the bell above the door rings, and I’m immediately enveloped by the rich scent of brewing coffee.

“Ethan! Right on schedule,” Lucas greets from behind the counter, already reaching for my favorite mug — a chipped black one with a questionable caffeine slogan.

“Am I really that predictable?” I joke, sliding onto a barstool and savoring the warmth radiating from the cup Lucas places before me.

“If you ever miss your morning coffee, we’ll call a search party,” Lucas says dryly, wiping down the counter swiftly.

I chuckle, taking a deep, satisfying sip. “Quiet today, huh?”

“Just the way we like it,” Lucas replies, leaning casually against the espresso machine. “No complaints about almond milk shortages or gluten-free muffins.”

“Exactly. No chaos, just us.”

As if summoned by the mention of chaos, the bell rings again and Claire bursts in, her yoga mat poking comically from her bag, knocking into chairs as she navigates clumsily through the café.

“Sorry... sorry,” she whispers, wincing each time she collides with furniture.

“Morning, Claire.” Lucas laughs. “Usual?”

“Double espresso,” she groans, collapsing onto the stool beside me. “Yoga’s supposed to calm you, right? I feel like I was attacked by a pretzel monster.”

“Sounds incredibly relaxing,” I say, trying to hide my amusement.

“You mock now, Ethan,” Claire warns, wagging a finger playfully, “but someday you’ll embrace the zen.”

“He’s allergic to zen,” Lucas interjects, placing Claire’s espresso in front of her.

“Exactly,” I agree emphatically. “Running is my meditation.”

Claire rolls her eyes, sipping her espresso cautiously. “Honestly, Ethan, you might benefit from something new. Like pottery. Or knitting.”

Lucas nods sagely. “Yes, I can see Ethan knitting scarves for all of us and wrapping them up for Christmas.”

“Thanks, but I’ll stick to coffee and mocking yoga from afar,” I reply dryly.

The shop’s phone rings loudly before Claire can launch another persuasive argument. Lucas sighs, throwing us a mock-weary glance as he moves to answer it.

“Seriously, Ethan,” Claire starts again, leaning in conspiratorially. “Have you ever wondered if maybe all this running…”

The door opens abruptly, the bell ringing brightly, cutting Claire off mid-sentence. Mia? * steps into the coffee shop.

“Morning, Mia,” Lucas calls, glancing up from the phone and giving her a decently welcoming smile.

Mia looks up, returning Lucas’ greeting before her eyes drift over to where Claire and I are seated. She offers a big wave, her smile reaching her eyes. “Morning guys. Back from your run, Ethan? Enjoying the quiet, post-tourist season?”

“It’s heaven!”

“What brings you out so early?” Claire asks, curiosity practically glowing in her voice.

Mia holds up the bag sheepishly. “Just grabbing pastries before opening the bookstore.”

“Can’t go wrong starting your day with pastries,” Lucas confirms, returning from the phone call and moving swiftly behind the counter. “But I’m biased.”

Claire chuckles softly. “You can trust Lucas on cinnamon rolls. It’s the only thing he gets right!”

Lucas scoffs and tries to deflect. “How’s the bookstore doing now that tourist season is over?”

“I can’t complain. Locals are avid readers. And I’ve been sneaking in some writing here and there in lull times.” Mia’s smile lights up the room, the same way it always does when she talks about her bookstore.

“Sounds exciting,” I say, enjoying Mia’s enthusiasm.

“It’s as if you love unboxing endless stacks of fantasy novels. Or if you have an unhealthy relationship with packing tape.”

“Well,” Lucas says theatrically, sliding Mia her coffee across the counter. “May your coffee be strong and your tape cooperative.”

“Thanks, Lucas,” Mia says, turning towards the door. “See you around, Claire?”

“Sure thing!” Claire replies, waving.

“Say hi to Oliver? * for me,” I add.

As I’m about to finish my coffee and leave, the door swings open with a gentle chime and my eyes reflexively glance upward. A woman I’ve never seen before steps inside, pausing briefly as if deciding whether she belongs. Immediately, all coherent thought evaporates.

She’s striking in an effortless way. A low, treacherous thrum kicks in behind my ribs — the same flutter I get right before the starting gun of a race. My hand tightens around the mug, heat biting my palm, but I can’t force myself to look away.

Her auburn hair falls in loose waves, shining like threads of copper in the afternoon sun.

And then there are those hips. They sway gently when she moves, a natural rhythm that makes it impossible for me to look away.

There’s a confidence about her, a quiet self-assurance that radiates from across the room.

She’s strikingly voluptuous, all soft curves and gentle lines.

Something magnetic in that poised grace leaves me a little spellbound, wondering what it might be like to share a conversation — or even a moment — caught in her orbit.

She surveys the coffee shop with curious eyes. Her lips part slightly as she reads the chalkboard menu behind Lucas, unaware of how she instantly captures my attention.

I grip my mug tightly, suddenly feeling foolishly self-conscious. Claire says something to Lucas, but their words blur into white noise as my focus remains firmly on the new arrival. She’s wearing a loose sweater, sleeves pushed casually up to her elbows.

I’m unreasonably intrigued.

She moves gracefully to the counter, and Lucas offers her a friendly smile. “Morning! Welcome.”

“Good morning,” she replies, her voice smooth yet filled with subtle humor. “My Aunt Sage sent me. She cannot be bothered to have coffee on hand.”

Lucas chuckles, nodding knowingly. “Ah, yes, Sage and her aversion to coffee – what does she say?”

“That it enhances anxiety!”

They both laugh.

“That’s it! Any preference?”

She tilts her head thoughtfully, studying the options as if each drink holds profound life implications. “Something strong enough to survive existential crisis?”

“Coming right up,” Lucas laughs, already busy preparing her coffee. “Take a seat and I’ll deliver your lifeline shortly.”

She nods appreciatively, turning slightly toward the seating area and scanning for an open table. From the corner of my eye, I watch as she settles into a table by the window.

“Earth to Ethan,” Claire whispers loudly, nudging my shoulder with exaggerated amusement. “Do we need to reboot your system or something?”

“What?” I startle slightly, nearly spilling my coffee. Claire laughs, shaking her head knowingly.

“Looks like Bluewater Cove just got a little more interesting.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I mumble unconvincingly, stealing another glance at the woman by the window. Her brow is furrowed lightly as she scribbles into her notebook, completely absorbed. My unbidden curiosity grows, and my stubborn gaze stays fixed on her, completely intrigued.

“Sure you don’t,” Claire says slyly, clearly unconvinced. “Maybe you should introduce yourself.”

“And say what exactly?” I reply, my voice low and skeptical.

Claire shrugs nonchalantly. “How about ‘Hi, welcome to Bluewater Cove, please never leave.’ Too forward?”

“Just a bit,” I mutter, rolling my eyes, though part of me wonders if Claire is right. Maybe saying hello wouldn’t hurt.

Before I can gather my courage, Lucas approaches the woman’s table, delivering her coffee with his usual charm he reserves for strangers and special occasions.

She thanks him softly, her smile lighting up her face in a way that makes my breath hitch.

I realize with a sinking feeling that I’m completely out of my depth.

“Definitely more interesting,” Claire whispers smugly beside me.

I can’t argue with her. Somehow, Bluewater Cove feels a whole lot brighter this morning.

* ? Meet Mia in Love Notes in the Margins

* ? Meet Oliver in Love Notes in the Margins