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Chapter One

Harper Sanders had gone on her last date ever Blind, online, swipe right, introduction by a well- a man she was attracted to worked None of the dates had accooal

Getting Matt Banks out of her head and her heart

She’d lived in Montlake, Colorado her entire life She knew everyone and everyone knew her In fact, she and Matt had grown up together, froh school They’d been friends, too Good friends, she’d thought, even if she’d beenout in school, after school He knew her likes and dislikes She’d suffered through hiuys Neither of them had ever made a move despite the fact that there had been tis But she’d held onto hope that one day they’d becos

Then she’d gone away to college, and when she’d returned ho to do with her She’d pined for years, but lately, she’d decided to put herself out there with othermarried had spurred her desire to find true love for herself, too

Yet despite date after unsuccessful date, nobody lit her fire the way Matt did It didn’t help that she had to see hiiven her coffee shop was located across the street froe That he came into her place often for his coffee Still, she’d e man with his tousled brown hair and sexy blue bedroom eyes that looked at everyone but her

Last night she’d ended things hat she’d decided was her last atte a man Rich Jonas, a new-in-toyer had been … odd to say the least She’d given hiuys she tried to go out with, hoping that by getting to know them better, she’d find herself interested But Rich and his too-eager personality had turned her off instead of on

She’d given him the old ‘it’s not you it’s me’ speech In reality, he just wasn’t Matt And she’d have to see him often, too Because he, too, came into the coffee shop a lot

S out a puff of air that hovered in a cloud thanks to the freezing temperatures She let herself into Harper and Em’s Bake and Brew, the shop she’d opened with her best friend and a woman Matt had not only dated but actively pursued upon Emily’s move to town

For years now, it was as if Harper didn’t exist for hih – unless he was servicing her car, or she was handing hiar, she thought, because of course, she had his order memorized And it frustrated the hell out of her

“Are you ready to leave on your trip?” E her from behind the counter

Emily always arrived extra early to bake herher husband, Parker, in their warhter, Jillian, until Eo to his place of business A babysitter came in later so Emily could work the afternoon shift with Harper It was the perfect situation, and Harper was envious of her friend’s life She was happy for her, too, but Harper wanted a family of her own

“Car’s packed,” she replied “I’ forward to this weekend”

She was off to Denver for a coffee class in Latte Art, a hands-on experience in foa class, which would expose her to different kinds of brewing equip about farms that specialized in one type of coffee would help her carry more exclusive brands

Considering the nearby skiing brought in tourists over the winter seeking unique experiences, she knew these classes would help her expand their clientele, even in their tiny town Emily’s dad owned the Ruby Rose Inn, named after his deceased wife / Emily’sfar and wide for more upscale customers Custooods and Harper’s unique blends of coffee

Emily smiled “You deserve some fun Go, learn new skills, and enjoy” The timer sounded in the kitchen and Eoods

Harper couldn’t hate her y blonde friend She’d gone out with Matt not knowing Harper still had a thing for the s to herself And Es because of her relationship with her now-husband, who’d been staying at her father’s Bed and Breakfast Es for Matt, and she’d never knowingly hurt her close friend