Chapter 1: A Fresh Start

Emily Roberts stood at the edge of the pier, her eyes scanning the endless horizon where the sky met the sea in a soft, hazy blue. The salty breeze swept through her hair, tangling it in wild strands that fluttered around her face. She tucked a few locks behind her ear, trying to make sense of the quietness that surrounded her. It was exactly what she needed—quiet, calm, peaceful. A far cry from the constant noise of her old life.

The sun was beginning to dip low in the sky, casting golden light across the water and making the surface shimmer like liquid gold. The town of Sunridge Bay, with its pastel-colored cottages and narrow streets, lay behind her—small, idyllic, and serene. She had only been here for a few days, but already it felt like a place where she could breathe again.

She inhaled deeply, taking in the clean air, and let it out slowly. This was her fresh start. No more endless commutes in traffic. No more excruciating phone calls with friends who had heard about her breakup for the hundredth time. No more late nights in a noisy city apartment where the walls felt too close, and the memories of Matt haunted her at every turn.

A soft laugh escaped her lips. It had been two months since Matt had walked out of her life, and yet it still felt like a fresh wound, raw and exposed. The way he had looked at her—the distant, empty expression in his eyes when he told her he didn't love her anymore—stung like nothing else. She had poured everything into their relationship, and when it had ended, she was left with nothing but unanswered questions and a broken heart.

She glanced down at the small leather notebook she held in her hands—her journal. Her thoughts had been all over the place lately, and journaling had always been her way of clearing the clutter in her mind. She had filled page after page with rambling reflections about the life she had left behind, the uncertainty of starting over, and the nagging feeling that maybe she was running from her problems.

But here, in Sunridge Bay, she felt like she could finally exhale. She had rented a tiny apartment above the bookstore and café she had dreamed of opening for years. She could already picture the cozy space, filled with shelves of books, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, and the soft murmur of conversations among customers. The idea of it brought a smile to her face. The bookstore was a symbol of everything she wanted her new life to be: quiet, simple, fulfilling. And the café—a place where people could gather, read, sip coffee, and forget about the rush of the world—was exactly what she needed to center herself.

She looked down at her phone. 6:30 PM. She still had an hour before the store would close for the night, but for now, she just needed a few more moments by the water to herself.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking the peaceful silence. She pulled it out, her thumb hovering over the screen. It was a message from Sarah, her best friend from the city. Emily had filled Sarah in on all her plans before making the move, and Sarah had been both supportive and a little skeptical.

Sarah: How's it going so far? Any cute fishermen you're swooning over yet?

Emily rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself. If only it were that easy to fall for someone. Her fingers danced over the screen, typing a quick reply.

Emily: *I'm still settling in. No fishermen yet, just a lot of quiet… which is exactly what I need. I'll let you know if I meet anyone interesting. :)

Sarah: Well, I can't wait to hear more about this new life of yours. Just remember, no man is worth your heartbreak, okay? You deserve the best.

Emily bit her lip at the message. She appreciated Sarah's words, but the truth was, she wasn't sure she was ready to open her heart to anyone again. The thought of another relationship, even a casual one, seemed like a distant dream. Love had hurt her too much, and she wasn't eager to go down that road anytime soon.

The wind picked up slightly, tugging at her jacket, and she turned back toward the town. She had work to do, after all. The bookstore and café needed more organizing before the grand opening. As she walked back down the pier and toward the cobblestone streets, her mind drifted to the town itself. Sunridge Bay was the kind of place that felt frozen in time. The buildings were old but lovingly maintained, the streets were narrow but cozy, and the beach was always within reach, no matter where you stood.

As she approached the bookstore, she caught a glimpse of the large sign hanging over the door: The Salt & Sage Bookstore. The place had an old-world charm to it, with its soft green and white façade and the flickering warm light inside. It had been her dream to open a store like this—small, intimate, and welcoming. The kind of place where people could lose themselves in the pages of a good book or sit with a cup of coffee for hours.

Inside, the space was already beginning to feel like home. The shelves, though empty for now, were starting to fill with books. The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans lingered in the air, and she could already picture people chatting quietly at the tables, the sound of coffee machines steaming and the soft jazz music playing in the background.

She stepped inside, running her fingers along the wooden counter. The place was still in the early stages, but it was going to be perfect. Emily could already see the vision she'd worked so hard for coming to life.

As she moved behind the counter, she caught sight of something—or rather, someone—out of the corner of her eye. A man was standing by the window, gazing out at the street. His broad shoulders and dark hair were unmistakable, even from behind. It was the same man she'd seen at the pier earlier—the one who had been sketching the view. His presence was commanding, yet quiet, like he belonged to the world but preferred to watch it from a distance.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether she should say anything, but before she could decide, he turned, his deep blue eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, neither of them spoke. She felt a flutter of something she hadn't felt in a long time—curiosity mixed with a touch of nervousness. She quickly pushed it away. She wasn't here for distractions.

"Can I help you?" she asked, forcing herself to sound calm and collected.

The man gave her a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Just looking," he said, his voice low and gravelly. There was something familiar about him, though Emily couldn't quite place why.

"Well, if you need anything, I'm right here," she replied, trying not to sound awkward.

He nodded once, his gaze drifting back to the window, and Emily felt the tension between them slowly fade into the background. But as she watched him for a moment longer, a sense of curiosity tugged at her again. There was something about him—something unspoken—that intrigued her.

With a deep breath, she turned back to her work, trying to focus on organizing the café's stock of pastries. But part of her couldn't shake the feeling that something had just shifted. And that shift made her wonder if Sunridge Bay—this new life she was trying to build—might hold more surprises than she had anticipated.