Trinity Falls. Regina Hart

      CHAPTER 2

      A little more than an hour later, Megan opened Books & Bakery, her combination bookstore and café, for business. As soon as the doors opened, two of her regular customers strolled in.

      “Morning, ladies.” Darius Knight greeted Megan and Doreen. The local newspaper reporter slipped onto his usual chair at the bakery counter.

      “Good morning, Megan, Ms. Doreen.” Dr. Quincy Spates followed Darius to the counter. The Trinity Falls University history professor took the seat beside his childhood friend.

      Megan studied the two men on the other side of the counter. They’d been friends with Ean since birth or at least as long as she’d been alive. Tall, fit, intelligent and attractive, they were brothers in every way but by blood.

      Darius’s midnight eyes gleamed with excitement. “Have you heard the news?”

      Doreen served both men a mug of coffee. “If you’re talking about Ean coming home, of course, I have. I’m his mother. And I’ve already told Megan. When did you two find out?”

      Darius added cream and way too much sugar to his coffee. “Ean e-mailed us late last night.” He inclined his head toward Quincy.

      Quincy swallowed half his cup of coffee. “What do you make of his coming home?”

      Megan frowned. Had he also e-mailed Ramona? What was her cousin’s reaction to Ean’s plans?

      Doreen laid a china dish bearing a sizable square of Trinity Falls Fudge Walnut Brownie in front of Quincy. “I think the people of this good town should fear having the three of you together again.”

      “It’s been fourteen years. I’d like to think we’ve matured.” Darius reached toward Quincy’s plate.

      Quincy paused with his cup near his lips. “Touch my brownie and you’ll pull back a stump.”

      “Yes, very mature.” Doreen shook her head.

      Darius dropped his hand. “What do you think, Megan?”

      She thought fourteen years should have been enough time to get over her crush. Then why did her heart race every time she heard Ean’s name?

      Megan brought Darius his own Trinity Falls Fudge Walnut Brownie. “I think you three can be trusted to stay out of trouble this time around.”

      “It may not be the three of us, though. It may only be two.” Darius took a big bite of the brownie.

      “What do you mean?” Megan looked to Quincy. Her eyes grew wide. “Did you apply for the faculty position with the University of Pennsylvania?”

      Quincy used his fork to cut a corner of the brownie. “Yes, but I’m sure they’ll have a huge pool of candidates for the position.”

      Megan grinned. “You’ll make the final round.”

      Quincy shrugged broad shoulders covered in a lightweight black sweater. “I won’t know anything until the fall. I may not even get a phone interview.”

      Megan reached out to squeeze Quincy’s forearm. “They’d be foolish not to hire you.”

      Quincy ran a hand over his clean-shaven brown head. “It’s a big decision, Megan. I’m not sure I’ll take it.”

      Darius snorted. “You’ve been pining after teaching at your alma mater since you got your doctorate.”

      Quincy arched a brow. “No, I haven’t.”

      “You make my ears bleed.” Darius gestured with his brownie. “Your whole family moved to Florida years ago. What’s keeping you here?”

      Megan blinked at the challenge in Darius’s question. Quincy visited his family in Florida several times a year. But something—someone?—always brought him home to Trinity Falls. Was Darius challenging Quincy to admit that?

      “Did you like the university?” Doreen’s question ended the awkward silence.

      Quincy sliced another piece of his pastry. “It’s a great institution. The faculty and staff are committed to the students.”

      “Does the position pay more?” Darius stuffed the last of the brownie into his mouth.

      Quincy shot him a wry look. “Yes.”

      “Then take the job. What’s the problem?” The reporter drained his coffee.

      “Megan’s right. They would be lucky to have you.” Doreen refilled both men’s mugs. “It’s just too bad that you’ll be leaving just as Ean’s finally coming home.”

      Quincy dropped his dark gaze to the plate of his half-eaten pastry. Megan studied his still, silent posture. He hadn’t said much about Ean’s imminent return.

      Megan turned her attention to Darius. “I read your article about the town council’s plan to find a high-end real estate broker to buy the town center.”

      Darius smoothed the tight curls of his dark hair. “They’re still working out the details, so I can’t add anything that’s not already in my article.”

      Megan poured herself some coffee. Steam from the drink blew across her face. “Did they at least tell you whether the current center businesses’ rental agreements will be renewed?”

      “No.” Darius’s response was succinct and tinged with regret. It added to Megan’s tension.

      “High-end stores in Trinity Falls?” Doreen collected Darius’s empty plate. “Ramona knows the town’s culture won’t support exclusive labels and fashions. What is she thinking?”

      “She wants to bring the big-city lifestyle to our little town.” Megan’s voice was tight with frustration. She carried her coffee to the counter and added cream and sweetener. “I should have realized this would happen as soon as the original center owners defaulted on the town’s loan.”

      Her older cousin’s reasons for not staying in New York when Ean had asked her to marry him were still a mystery. It was now compounded by the puzzle of her goal to bring a piece of Fifth Avenue to their sleepy little town.

      “How were you supposed to know?” Darius drained his second mug of coffee. “I wonder how Ean’s return will affect Ramona’s plans to gentrify Trinity Falls.”

      Quincy stood abruptly. He put several bills on the counter. “Keep the change, Ms. Doreen.”

      Doreen looked as startled as Megan felt. “Thank you, Quincy. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

      “You do the same.” Quincy waved over his shoulder as he strode to the door.

      Doreen stared after Quincy. “What was that about?”

      Megan remained silent, but something told her Ean’s return wouldn’t affect only her unrequited crush.

      Ean jogged down the deserted, quiet street of his