Page 7 of Tides of Discovery
The moment shattered as Jack turned back to the laptop. “First things first, we need to change all your passwords. And I meanallof them. Banking, email, social media, everything.”
“Now?” I glanced at the clock. It was past seven.
“Yes, now.” Jack was already typing again. “I’m also installing a more secure firewall and some security monitoring software I developed. It’ll alert me if anyone tries to access your network again.”
For the next hour, Jack methodically worked through my digital life, strengthening defenses I hadn’t known were weak. I sat beside him and worked on my own laptop, changing all my passwords. Jack’s brow furrowed when he focused, a small vertical line appearing between his eyebrows. I’d seen that expression countless times over the years—during late-night study sessions, intense gaming marathons, heated discussions about movies or books. That tiny crease had become one of my favorite things about him and left me suppressing a chuckle.
“There,” he said finally. He sat back with satisfaction and pushed his glasses up his nose. “Much better. Not impenetrable, but a hell of a lot stronger than it was.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Seriously, Jack. You’re the best friend I could ask for.”
He shrugged, avoiding my eyes. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
There was something in his voice I couldn’t quite place. A hint of…what? Resignation? Disappointment? Before I could analyze it further, he closed his laptop and began packing up.
“It’s getting late. I should head out so you can turn out the lights and get some sleep.” He hesitated a beat, then added, “Are we still on for gaming tomorrow night?”
I nodded, and the corner of my mouth tugged up. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Goodnight, Cooper.” His gaze lingered a beat longer than was strictly necessary.
“Night, Jack.” My voice came out quieter than I intended. I didn’t want him to go, but my morning started early.
He paused at the threshold and looked back at me. Something charged and vulnerable passed across his face before he quickly masked it with a crooked grin.
“Lock up behind me,” he said, and then he was gone, walking under the glowing streetlights toward his apartment.
I watched him until he passed beyond the windows and puzzled over that look—like he wanted to say something important but couldn’t find the words.
Was I misinterpreting his expression? My romantic intuition had the accuracy of a compass near a magnet, with Ben standing as the painful monument to my spectacular failure in reading between the lines. I’d completely missed all the signs that Ben had been cheating.
Was I doing it again? Those lingering glances, the way Jack’s eyes seemed to soften when they met mine—were they clues he wanted more than friendship, or was I inferring meanings that didn’t exist?
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I stowed my laptop, slid into my jacket, and turned off the lights. Tomorrow would bring new challenges: figuring out who had hacked my system, updating my staff’s passwords, and keeping The Coffee Cove running smoothly.
CHAPTER THREE
Cooper
Darkness had descended on Main Street as I wiped down the espresso machine for the third time. The stainless steel gleamed under my cloth, reflecting my distorted image back at me. I’d already cleaned every surface twice, emptied the pastry case, and loaded the dishwasher. Anything to keep my hands busy while my mind churned over the upcoming birthday dinner.
“Boss, I’m pretty sure that machine is clean enough to perform surgery on.” Jessica leaned against the counter. Her purple-tipped hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and she had that patient look she got whenever I was being neurotic. “You’ve been polishing it for ten minutes.”
I set the cloth down with a sigh. “Just making sure it’s ready for tomorrow.”
“Uh-huh.” Jessica raised an eyebrow. “And this has nothing to do with whatever your brother was talking to you about yesterday?”
The bell above the door jingled as our last customer of the day departed with a to-go cup, leaving us alone in the shop. Outside, Seacliff Cove was settling into that peaceful lull between the workday and dinner hour.
“You’re too observant for your own good,” I muttered. I moved to lock the front door and flip the sign toClosed. “Ryan wants me to attend his birthday dinner next week. My parents will be there.”
“Ah.” Jessica’s expression softened. She’d been working for me since I bought the coffee shop a year ago, and she knew enough about my family situation to understand. “That explains the stress-cleaning.”
I’d spent years perfecting the art of limiting my exposure to my parents’ particular brand of disapproval. Now I’d agreed to willingly subject myself to it for an entire evening. The knot in my stomach tightened.
“Go home, Jess.” I attempted a smile. “I’ll finish closing up.”
“You sure? I can stay if?—”
