Page 111 of Defensive Desire

I should be elated. This is everything I've worked for—validation, expansion, a chance to grow my little business into something real. Something permanent.

But all I can think is:Logan should be here for this.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. For a heart-stopping moment, I think it might be him.

But it's Sophia:Call me. Urgent.

I step outside, the cold morning air biting at my cheeks as I hit dial, the sound of Lucy and Ethan's ongoing argument fading behind me.

"Emma!" Sophia's voice is electric with excitement. "You did it. You won. The arena café space is yours!"

"I... wow." My voice sounds hollow even to my own ears.

"Are you free to go live on radio in an hour? The station wants to interview you about the expansion. This is huge publicity!"

"Um, yeah. Sure." I lean against the brick wall, my legs suddenly weak. "Has... has Logan heard?"

"Logan?" She sounds confused. "I'm not sure. Blake said he's been in with Big Mike all morning. I'll let him know when they're done. So, radio at eleven? I'll come by and pick you up."

"Great. Thanks."

I hang up and slide down the wall until I'm sitting on the cold concrete, my legs drawn up to my chest.

This should be the best moment of my life. The culmination of three years of hard work, of proving myself, of building something from nothing.

So why does it feel so… empty?

I check my phone again. Still nothing from Logan.

Inside, I can see Grandpa Walt, Lucy and Ethan high-fiving, their faces alight with excitement for me. For my success.

I take a deep breath and stand up, brushing off my jeans. I plaster on a smile and head back inside, where I'm immediately enveloped in a four-way hug that smells like aftershave, coffee beans and Lucy's cherry lip-gloss.

"I knew you'd do it!" Grandpa Walt crows. "My girl's going to be a coffee empire!"

Lucy's nodding along, tossing her hair over one shoulder to reveal her beaming smile. "Chapter and Grind just leveled up, baby! Should we just call Forbes feature editor right now?"

I laugh, but still… it feels empty.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

"Are you kidding? This is just the beginning!" Lucy spins me around.

I gently disentangle myself. "I've got to go on the radio in an hour. Do you guys mind watching the shop?"

"Of course not! Go get ready!" Grandpa shoos me toward the back. "This is your moment, Emma-bean. Take your time and enjoy it!"

I nod, but as I walk to the back room, a weight settles in my chest that makes it hard to breathe.

I stare at myself in the small bathroom mirror. The woman looking back at me should be glowing with triumph. Instead, her eyes are shadowed, her smile forced.

I check my phone again.

Come on, Logan.

Still nothing.

Back in the café, I watch Grandpa Walt cheerfully explaining to a customer why today's a special day. His pride is palpable, his excitement infectious.

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