Page 1 of Fallen Hearts

1

PIA

Cedar Falls, Finger Lakes Region, NY

“Want your regular?”

The cashier didn’t even look up as a woman about my age approached the counter.

“Mmhmm,” the customer murmured, looking as if she was about to cry. As someone who cried at sappy commercials, among many other things, I could empathize.

Making a quick decision, I jumped up from my seat.

“I’ve got this,” I said to the woman. “You head to the ladies room.”

Although it was an odd offer from a stranger, she didn’t seem to mind. Swallowing hard and giving me a quick nod, she bolted in the direction of, I assumed, the ladies room. It was my first time in the place, new to town and all, so I knew very little about the Coffee Cabin or even Cedar Falls itself. Except that, as of last night, it was my new home.

When the cashier looked up—a college kid, from the looks of him—he appeared confused.

“I’ve got her coffee. And…” I didn’t need to look at the pastries again to know what I wanted. “A blueberry crumble muffin.”

Paying for both, I brought them to my corner seat and went back to people-watching. So far, nothing out of the ordinary. Just a cozy coffeehouse in a town even smaller than the one where I grew up. One I’d be seeing a lot of since my new apartment was just upstairs.

“Thank you so much,” the woman said when she returned, clearly unsure what to do.

“Join me,” I offered. “Got a muffin top.”

She looked a bit like that actress from the funny movie with Ryan Reynolds. What the heck was the name of it? Ugh, how could someone be so bad at remembering names?

“You look like someone,” I started, about to explain the movie.

“Emma Stone.”

“That’s it. I guess you get that all the time?”

“I do. But I take it as a compliment, so thank you.”

I would too. Emma Stone, and my companion, were both extremely pretty. Red hair in a long bob and a smattering of freckles across her cheek, just like me. It was rare to meet someone with freckles. We also shared unusually bright eyes, hers green and mine blue. I wondered if it meant anything? Like maybe we were destined to be friends?

“You’re welcome,” I said.

“And thank you for the coffee.”

“My pleasure. Please help yourself to the muffin. It looks too good not to eat.”

“Oh, they’re good, alright. Deadly so. Try some.”

I helped myself and silently agreed. This would be dangerous. I’d have to limit myself to one a week or special occasions or something. Sweet treats were my downfall.

“I appreciate the rescue. Delaney,” she said, offering her hand.

“Pia.” I shook it, smiling.

“Passing through?” she asked.

“Actually, no. I just moved here. I’m renting the apartment upstairs.” I motioned above us. “Got here last night from Oregon.”

“Oh wow. You must be exhausted. Welcome to Cedar Falls.”

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