The bell above the door jingles, signaling another customer''s arrival at The Novel Grind. I glance up from where I''m restocking the pastry case and feel a smile tugging at my lips. It''s become such a familiar routine these past four months—the steady flow of customers, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the scent of old books, the comfortable chatter filling the cozy space.

    I nod in acknowledgment, my hands continuing their task of arranging the muffins and scones just so. This place has become more than just a job to me; it''s a sanctuary, a haven where I can breathe easy and simply exist without the weight of expectations bearing down on me.

    As I work, my mind wanders to the evening ahead. It''s been two weeks since Franklin and his wife, Emily, last had me over for dinner. I''m looking forward to the home-cooked meal and easy conversation, a stark contrast to the strained silences and disapproving glances that used to fill my family dinners back home.

    A pang of guilt tugs at my heart, but I quickly push it away. This is my life now, the life I''ve chosen, and I won''t let the ghosts of the past haunt me anymore.

    "Here you go, dear," Mrs. Elkins says, placing a steaming cup of coffee on the counter in front of me. "Don''t forget, you''ve got that class this afternoon."

    I nod, gratefully accepting the mug and taking a sip of the rich, robust brew. The summer course I''ve signed up for—Introduction to Literature—is a small step, but it''s a step in the right direction. With my limited savings, I can only afford one class this summer semester, but I''m determined to make the most of it.

    As the morning rush begins to taper off, I take a moment to simply breathe and appreciate the quiet moments in between. This is my life now, a life of my own making, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I feel a sense of peace settling over me.

    I glance up from shelving a stack of paperbacks, my gaze instinctively drawn to the two men seated at one of the corner tables. Their murmured conversation drifts through the quiet hum of the cafe?, and a chill races down my spine as I catch the unmistakable scent of shifters.

    I''m not sure how I didn''t notice it before.

    My knees threaten to buckle, but I force myself to maintain an air of nonchalance, casually sliding books into their designated spots as I strain to eavesdrop. Snippets of their discussion filter through.

    He''s human.

    Of course he is. I''m being ridiculous, letting my fears get the better of me. Exhaling a shaky breath, I force a self-deprecating chuckle, willing my racing heart to slow.

    "No, no, I''m sorry," I manage, bending to retrieve my fallen books. "You just startled me, that''s all."

    The man crouches down to help, gathering the scattered pages with an easy, unhurried grace. "Well, I definitely didn''t mean to do that," he says with a wry grin. "I was just going to ask if you might be interested in grabbing a coffee with me sometime?"

    The words are like a bucket of ice water, dousing the lingering embers of panic still smoldering within me. My lips part in surprise, and for a beat, I simply stare at him, at a loss for words.

    Of course, this is a perfectly normal situation—a guy asking a girl out for coffee, nothing more. But after everything I''ve been through, every instinct within me is screaming at me to politely decline and retreat.

    Swallowing hard, I offer him a small, regretful smile. "That''s really sweet of you," I murmur, "but I''m not really looking to date anyone right now."

    To his credit, the man doesn''t miss a beat. He simply nods, his expression one of understanding rather than disappointment. "No problem at all," he says easily, rising to his feet and offering me a hand up. "I figured I''d just shoot my shot, you know?"

    I accept his proffered hand, allowing him to pull me upright. "Well, I appreciate the thought," I tell him, and I truly do. It''s a stark reminder that, despite the lingering shadows of my past, I''m just a normal girl trying to navigate the world like anyone else.

    With a final, friendly smile, the man gives a little wave and continues on his way, leaving me standing in the hallway with a strange sense of lightness in my chest. Then I check my phone when it buzzes, and it all fades away.