Page 5 of All You Need Is Macchiato

"No?" I watch Kathryn follow Cam to the counter. "Tell that to Mr. Peterson. Tell that to everyone who lost their jobs when Cam's 'efficiency experts' came through."

My phone buzzes again. This time it's Aunt Evie.

Don't forget to invite Kathryn to the bonfire tonight. Connor's bringing his guitar.

I stare at the message, remembering how her hand felt in mine on the trail. How her laugh blended with my family's at dinner. How she talked about things being genuine.

Sorry,I text back.Already made plans.

"You're being stubborn," Marie calls after me as I head toward my truck. "Just like your mother."

I pretend not to hear her. Mom was stubborn about the right things. About family, about community, about not letting anyone change what matters just because their spreadsheets say they should.

Some walls are better built early. Even if building them feels a lot like loss.

Chapter Three

Kathryn

"Absolutely not." Cam Prescott flicks through my proposal with barely a glance. "Community partnerships? Local supplier integration? We don't have time for that touchy-feely stuff."

I lean forward in my chair, ignoring how the vinyl squeaks beneath me. "It's not 'touchy-feely.' It's Coffee Loft's core mission. Creating spaces where community happens."

"Look." Cam leans back, his designer tie at odds with the coffee shop's rustic interior. "I know what corporate preaches about community integration, but let's be realistic. Quick promotions and flashy drink specials, that's what brings in the money."

The morning sun streams through the windows, illuminating dust motes and missed cleaning spots. The place has good bones. I like the exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and plenty of natural light that remind me of our Wilmington location. But Cam's stripped away everything that should make a Coffee Loft special. Everything I imagine was here when he bought out a local coffee shop and turned it into a Coffee Loft franchise.

"Have you seen the numbers from our Wilmington location?" I pull up the stats on my tablet. "Customer retention is throughthe roof. Average visit time doubled after we implemented community initiatives."

"Wilmington isn't Elk Ridge."

"Exactly. Each location should reflect its community. That's literally in the franchise handbook."

Cam waves this off. "We need quick wins. Corporate gave us three months."

"They sent me because this location has lost its way. You're ignoring our brand values, trying to copy chains that Coffee Loft has never wanted to be."

"Coffee is coffee."

"No, it's not." I think of the Wishing Wall back home, of the local art shows, of the book clubs that meet every Wednesday. "Coffee Loft is about connection. About being part of something."

He checks his watch. "Very inspiring. But I've got a conference call. Push the seasonal specials, run some BOGOs, and let's focus on what matters."

"What matters is that your highest-rated drinks are from the original menu. The ones that actually reflect this community."

"Those'll phase out eventually." He stands, straightening his jacket. "People want consistency."

"They want authenticity. It's why they chose Coffee Loft over the big chains in the first place."

But he's already heading for his office, leaving me alone with my proposals and mounting frustration.

Outside, Main Street is coming alive. Marie's Flowers catches my eye first. Bright bouquets spill from buckets onto the sidewalk. Next door, Miller's Bakery has a line stretching to the corner. The scent of fresh bread makes my stomach growl.

Every shop window tells a story. Just like every Coffee Loft should.

I start walking, making notes on my tablet. Back home, our local partnerships are the backbone of our success. The Wishing Wall just amplified connections that were already forming. Here, I'll have to rebuild those bridges from scratch.

A bell chimes as a door opens ahead of me. A young woman exits a bookstore, carefully balancing a stack of novels.

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