He got up and padded to the kitchen, starting the coffee before he was fully awake. The routine was automatic now: grounds, water, the gurgle of the machine coming to life. He stood at the window and watched the first light touch the water, turning it from black to gray to the pale pink of early morning.
His phone buzzed on the counter. Hank's name flashed on the screen.
"It's barely six," Brian said by way of greeting.
"And you've been up for an hour. Don't pretend otherwise." Hank's voice was warm, familiar. They'd known each other long enough that pretense was pointless. "Colby and I are heading to the shop early. Want to grab breakfast at Lila's first?"
Brian glanced toward the hallway. Tessa's door was still closed. "Yeah, I can do that. Give me twenty minutes."
"Bring your houseguest if she's up. Bree's been asking about her."
"How does Bree even know about her?"
Hank laughed. "Brother, this is Copper Moon. Everyone knows about her. Ruth told Lila, Lila told Sabrina, Sabrina told Bree. You know how it works."
Brian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Great. So the whole town's talking about the woman living in my cottage."
"The whole town's curious about the woman living in your cottage. There's a difference." A pause. "She's pretty, from what I hear."
"Goodbye, Hank."
He hung up to the sound of his friend's laughter.
Tessa was awake when he knocked on her door, already dressed in jeans and a soft blue sweater that made her eyes look greener than usual. She'd pulled her curls back with a clip, a few strands escaping to frame her face.
"I'm meeting some friends for breakfast in town," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "You're welcome to come. Fair warning, they're nosy as hell and will ask you a thousand questions."
She smiled, and something in his chest shifted. "Nosy friends sound like a nice change from eating alone."
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
They took his truck into town, the morning air cool enough to warrant closed windows. Main Street was quiet this early, the craft fair vendors gone and the usual pace of life resuming. A few shop owners were sweeping their sidewalks, and the smell of fresh bread drifted from somewhere nearby.
Lila's Sweet Treats sat on the corner of Main and Harbor, a cheerful yellow building with white trim and a striped awning. The windows were fogged with warmth, and even from outside, Brian could smell the cinnamon and sugar that had become synonymous with this place.
"This is where you said I could get lemon bars," Tessa said, peering at the display in the window.
"Lemon bars, croissants, the best breakfast sandwiches in town." Brian held the door open for her. "Lila's been here for thirty years. She knows everyone and feeds everyone. Just don't ask about her ex-husband unless you've got an hour to spare."
The bell above the door chimed as they entered. The interior was warm and bustling, mismatched tables and chairs creating a homey chaos that somehow worked. The walls were covered with local art, and a chalkboard menu behind the counter listed the day's specials in colorful script.
"Brian!" A woman in her sixties emerged from behind the counter, her silver hair twisted up in a practical bun, her apron dusted with flour. She had the kind of face that had seen everything and still found reasons to smile. "And you brought a friend. Finally."
"Lila, this is Tessa. Tessa, Lila. She runs this place and most of the town gossip."
Lila swatted his arm with a dish towel. "I do not gossip. I share information of community interest." She turned to Tessa with a warm smile. "Welcome to Copper Moon, honey. I've heard you're staying out at Brian's cottage."
"Information of community interest," Brian muttered.
Tessa laughed, the sound bright and unexpected. "It's nice to meet you. Brian's told me about your lemon bars."
"Did he now?" Lila's eyes sparkled. "Well, you sit yourself down, and I'll bring you one fresh from the oven. On the house for first-timers." She nodded toward a table in the corner where two men were already seated. "Your boys are waiting."
Brian guided Tessa through the maze of tables to where Hank and Colby sat with coffee cups already half-empty. Hank stood as they approached, his tall frame unfolding from the chair with an easy grace. Colby stayed seated but grinned up at them, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners.
"So this is the famous Tessa," Hank said, extending his hand. "I'm Hank. This ugly one is Colby."
"Famous is a strong word," Tessa said, shaking his hand. "But it's nice to meet you both. Brian's told me about the shop you're building together."