Page 24 of All You Need Is Macchiato

"Feeling proud?" Jake appears beside me.

"Feeling grateful." I watch Marie teach a teenager about flower arrangements, Sara share baking tips with a young couple, Old Joe discuss knitting patterns with his new teacher. "This is what coffee shops should be."

"It's what they can be," he corrects. "When the right person believes in them."

Across the room, Nolan pins another wish to the wall. This one I can reach, but something tells me to wait. Some wishes reveal themselves in their own time.

For now, it's enough to watch my coffee shop—because that's how it feels now, like mine in all the ways that matter—become exactly what I hoped it could be.

"Well, well." Cam slides behind the counter like he owns the place—which, technically, he does. "When I said we needed customer engagement, I didn't expect quite this level of enthusiasm."

After his earlier appearance during the celebration, I'd hoped he'd stay in his office. But here he is, freshly pressed suit somehow spotless despite the crowded shop.

"The community is really embracing it," I say, stepping back as he moves closer. "We've already matched over twenty wishes."

"Impressive." He leans against the counter, invading my space. "I must say, you have a knack for exceeding expectations."

Something in his tone makes me want to take another step back, but I'm already against the espresso machine. "The credit goes to the town. They just needed the opportunity to connect."

"So modest." His smile reminds me of a car salesman's. "You know, I've been thinking about our future here in Elk Ridge."

"Our future?"

"The Coffee Loft's future, of course." But his eyes say different. "With the right leadership, the right, partnership, we could really make something special here."

Across the room, I catch sight of Nolan watching us, his expression darkening. I try to catch his eye, but he's focused on how close Cam is standing.

"I appreciate the vote of confidence," I say, trying to edge sideways, "but I should really check on the?—"

"No need to be shy." Cam's hand lands on the counter beside me, effectively trapping me in place. "I've been watching you, Kathryn. Your drive, your vision. We could do great things together."

"I think you're misunderstanding?—"

"Am I?" His voice drops lower. "I see how hard you work, how much you care about this place. Imagine what we could accomplish if we aligned our interests."

The bell above the door chimes, and I glance over to see Nolan leaving, his shoulders rigid. My heart sinks.

"Excuse me." I duck under Cam's arm. "Annie needs help with?—"

"Think about it." He catches my wrist, his grip just shy of too tight. "We could make quite a team. Professionally speaking, of course. Though if things developed beyond that..."

I pull free. "I'm not interested in any kind of partnership, Cam. Professional or otherwise."

His smile hardens. "No? Perhaps you prefer a more rustic type?"

"I prefer focusing on my job." I grab a rag and start wiping down the already-clean counter. "Which right now means making sure these community initiatives succeed."

"Ah yes, community." He straightens his tie. "Just remember who signs the paychecks around here. Community sentiment doesn't pay the bills."

He strolls toward his office, leaving me feeling slightly nauseated. Through the window, I catch a glimpse of Nolan's truck pulling away, and my stomach twists further.

"You okay?" Jake appears beside me, his usual smile replaced with concern. "That looked intense."

"I'm fine." But my hands are shaking slightly as I fold the rag. "I need to explain to Nolan..."

"What you need," Jake says firmly, "is backup. Next time Cam tries that, you're not facing him alone."

"It's not that simple. He's still the owner, and now Nolan probably thinks..."

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