Page 20 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

She left her phone on the wicker side table and stood.

“You can do this, Bella. You’re a badass bitch, even though you don’t feel like it right now.” She repeated her friend’s words. Maybe someday she’d believe them with her whole heart. For now, she needed to get through the rest of this night and then find Nash and tell him the news. Hopefully he would take it better than her mother had.

One could dream, right?

9

ISABELLA

Isabella opened the door to The Stardust Café and walked in. The scent of roasted coffee beans and sweets immediately had her mouth watering. Her shoulders lowered with a small sigh as she stepped up to the counter. She was just glad to be out of that small apartment with her well-meaning but smothering mother. It had only been a week, but she was already at her wits end. It didn’t help that Nash hadn’t been docking there either. Was he even from Shattered Cove or had he just been visiting the area? She could look through the records at the marina, but that felt like an invasion of privacy. If she didn’t run into him soon, she might have to. Her hand rubbed over her belly as her lips tilted up in a small smile.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket as she stared up at the chalkboard menu on the wall behind the counter. Isabella pulled her cell out just in case it was Eli.

Mama: Papi said you were up early today. Are you not sleeping? Where are you? When will you be home?

Isabella shook her head and typed out a quick reply letting her mother know she’d be home soon before she slipped the phone into her pocket.

“Can I help you?” a beautiful and vaguely familiar woman behind the counter asked.

“Yes, I’d like a latte, please, with a shot of hazelnut, and two of your mermaid cookies and a lavender scone,” Isabella answered.

The woman smiled, grabbing a paper cup and typing the amount into the register. Isabella swiped her debit card while the barista busied herself making the order.

“Are you just passing through?” the woman asked.

“No. Well, returning, more like. Just moved back.”

A steaming cup of delicious-smelling coffee was set in front of her, next to the bag of pastries.

“Thank you very much.” Isabella picked up the drink, inhaling the blessed caffeinated beverage that had been deemed contraband in her parents’ house after Eli had convinced her mother caffeine was harmful to the baby.

The barista chuckled. “I almost feel like I should give you and that latte some alone time.”

Isabella laughed and took a small sip. Perfection. “It’s been too long since I’ve had a proper cup of coffee.”

“Happy to be of service.” She flicked her long braids over her shoulder.

“You look so familiar.” Isabella picked up the paper bag with the treats, stepping to the side, even though there weren’t any other customers waiting for service.

“Same. I’m Remy Evans. Well, my maiden name was Stone.”

Isabella’s eyes widened as she took in the woman with recognition. “We went to high school together.” She pointed to her chest. “Isabella Noveas.”

Remy’s smile brightened. “No way. How have you been, girl?”

“It’s been . . . an adventure. Is this your place?”

Remy nodded, her gaze roaming over the cozy café. “Yes.”

“And Evans . . . did you marry Bently?”

Remy laughed at that, her bright white teeth flashing a contrast to her midnight complexion. “No. I married his younger brother, Mikel. He owns Sea View Construction with my brother, Andre.”

Isabella had vague memories of the mostly silent bad boy of Shattered Cove. Hopefully he’d done a lot of growing and changing this last decade. “That’s nice. I remember you worked here in high school, didn’t you? Back when it was under a different name.”

“Yes.”

“Well, I love what you’ve done with the place. Expect to see a lot of me.”

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