Chapter 2: Opening Day

The morning sun spilled over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange. Emily Roberts stood at the door of The Salt & Sage Bookstore, her fingers trembling slightly as she turned the key in the lock. Her heart beat in a rhythmic thud against her chest—today was the day.

It had been months of planning, hard work, and sleepless nights to get to this point. Today was the official opening of her bookstore and café. It was a dream come true, one she had spent years fantasizing about, but now that it was here, it felt more daunting than she'd anticipated. The quiet streets of Sunridge Bay were just beginning to wake up, with a few locals walking their dogs or strolling along the cobbled roads, the scent of saltwater in the air. But for Emily, the town still felt unfamiliar, still like something she was trying to belong to.

She had prepared as best she could: tables neatly set with coffee mugs, pastries on display, books arranged by genre. The chairs, mismatched but charming, were all in place, just waiting for their first customers. There were no grand expectations, but her heart couldn't help but race at the thought of this place becoming something real—something others would love, a space where people would find solace in books and warm drinks, just as she had always wanted.

A chime echoed through the air as she stepped inside, the familiar bell above the door ringing in a soft jingle that made her feel a tiny bit more at home.

"Okay, here we go," Emily whispered to herself, taking a deep breath. She could do this.

She moved behind the counter, setting up the register and making sure everything was in order. The coffee machine was already humming softly, the scent of freshly ground beans filling the room. She had spent hours perfecting her drink recipes—she wanted her café to feel like a cozy escape. But today, it wasn't just about the coffee or the books; it was about setting the foundation for her new life. The idea of a fresh start still felt like a distant hope, something she was still working toward.

As she wiped down the counter for what felt like the hundredth time, the door swung open again, and Emily looked up.

A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped inside, the sunlight catching in his dark hair. It was him—the man from the pier. Jake Dawson. Emily recognized him immediately, though he hadn't seen her yet. He paused just inside the door, looking around, his sharp blue eyes taking in the space. His presence filled the room in a way that made everything else seem just a little quieter, a little stiller.

Her heart gave a flutter in her chest before she could talk herself out of it.

"Hi," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Welcome to The Salt & Sage Bookstore. Can I get you a coffee or something to eat?"

Jake turned slowly, his gaze locking onto hers. For a second, there was something almost… intense about the way he looked at her. But then his expression softened, and he gave a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Just coffee, thanks," he said, his voice deep and quiet.

Emily's breath hitched slightly, but she forced a smile. "We've got a couple of specials today—iced lattes, a caramel macchiato, or a cinnamon dolce." She gestured to the display of pastries. "We've also got some homemade scones and muffins if you're interested."

Jake's eyes briefly flickered to the pastries but then settled back on her. "I'll take the iced latte," he said, his voice almost hesitant.

Emily's fingers brushed against the counter as she prepared the order, trying to ignore the way her nerves were tingling in her stomach. Was it just her, or was there a quiet tension in the air between them? She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Maybe it was the way he stood—at ease, yet somehow distant, as though he wasn't quite sure whether he belonged here. Or maybe it was the intensity in his eyes, like there was so much more going on under the surface than he was willing to share.

"Coming right up," Emily said, her hands steady despite the nerves swirling inside her. As she moved toward the espresso machine, she could feel his gaze on her, like a weight on her back. She focused on the task at hand, trying to keep her mind from wandering.

The sound of the machine whirring and hissing filled the silence as she quickly made his drink. She slid the iced latte across the counter toward him, trying not to look at him too much.

"Here you go," she said, smiling more confidently than she felt. "Enjoy."

Jake took the cup, nodding, his fingers brushing hers lightly as he did. The brief touch sent a spark through her, but she quickly withdrew, trying to mask the reaction. "Thanks," he said simply, turning away from the counter and heading to a small table by the window. He sat down and began pulling a sketchpad out of his bag.

Emily watched him for a moment, her heart still racing in a way she hadn't expected. She pushed the feeling down and turned back to the counter, her mind buzzing. She needed to focus—this was her first real customer of the day, and she couldn't let herself get distracted.

Over the next few hours, more locals trickled in, all of them friendly, but there was something different about Jake. Maybe it was his quiet demeanor or the way he seemed to exist in his own world, focused entirely on his sketches. Emily had watched him a few times as she worked, catching glimpses of the drawings he was making. They were detailed, almost like the kind of work that could take hours to perfect.

She found herself wondering about him—about why he came to this little town, about what he was looking for. What had brought him here, to the same quiet place she had come to escape her past?

When the lunchtime rush began to die down, Emily took a break and wandered over to the window where Jake was sitting. He was lost in his art, the sketchpad resting on the table in front of him, his pencil moving quickly across the page. The way he worked was mesmerizing, like he was bringing the scene outside to life in front of him.

After a moment, she cleared her throat, and Jake looked up, his gaze meeting hers again. His expression was unreadable, though there was a faint trace of curiosity in his eyes.

"Nice sketches," she said, her voice a little tentative, unsure if she was intruding.

Jake gave a small smile, though it was more a twitch of his lips than a full expression. "Thanks," he said softly. "I come here often. The view's nice." His eyes flickered toward the window and the quiet town beyond.

"Yeah, it's... peaceful," Emily agreed, leaning against the counter nearby. She couldn't help but feel the need to keep talking, even though she wasn't sure what to say. "I'm new in town. Just opened the bookstore, actually."

His gaze shifted to her, and there was that same quiet intensity again. "I figured. You're... different. Not like the usual people who come through here."

Emily wasn't sure whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. She raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. "How so?"

Jake's eyes met hers again, and for a moment, he seemed almost uncomfortable. But then he gave a small shrug. "You're not trying to fit in. I guess it's rare to see someone like you in a place like this."

Emily's breath caught slightly. "I'm not trying to fit in," she said quietly. "I'm just... trying to be myself."

Jake didn't respond, but for a fleeting second, there was something in his eyes—something she couldn't quite name. He returned his gaze to his sketchbook, but the brief exchange lingered in the air between them. Emily wasn't sure why, but it felt important—like maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something.

But what? She didn't know. And maybe it was better not to get ahead of herself.

For now, all she could do was focus on the present—the bookstore, the café, and this quiet new life she was trying to build. Everything else could wait.