Lucy didn’t expect her peace to be tested so soon.

Vanessa — poised, immaculate, and unmistakably smug — walked into Nook late Friday afternoon.
Lucy barely had time to steel herself before the bell jingled and the woman made her grand entrance.

Lucy kept her expression neutral behind the counter, wiping already-clean surfaces.

Vanessa sauntered toward the pastry case, eyes flickering over the decor with a smirk.

“This is… cute,” Vanessa drawled.
“Very you.”

Lucy smiled politely, heart hammering against her ribs.

“Thanks. Can I get you anything?”

Vanessa tilted her head. “Actually, I came by to see what had Miles so distracted lately.”

Lucy’s fingers tightened around the edge of the counter, but she stayed still.

Vanessa’s voice dropped into something syrupy.
“You know, when we were together, he always said he wanted someone with ambition. A real partner.”

Lucy blinked, stunned by the pettiness.

“And yet here you are,” Vanessa continued with a shrug, her eyes glinting. “Settling down with a bakery girl.”

Lucy inhaled deeply, willing herself to remain calm.

“I think Miles knows exactly what he wants,” she said, voice steady.
“And it’s not a competition. It’s a choice.”

Vanessa’s smile faltered just slightly.

Lucy met her gaze head-on.

“And he’s already made it.”

There was a beat of silence before Vanessa scoffed lightly, muttered something about coffee being overrated anyway, and swept out of the shop.

---

Lucy leaned heavily against the counter once the door swung closed.
Her hands were shaking — not with fear, but with adrenaline.
With pride, too.

Because for once, she hadn’t let old fears dictate her response.
She hadn’t doubted Miles, or herself.
She had stood her ground — not for a battle of ownership, but for her own peace of mind.

---

Meanwhile, across town at Bennet Realty, Miles sat at his desk, phone to his ear as he finished up a call.

Graham leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, wearing his usual smirk.

“You know Vanessa was sniffing around Nook today, right?” Graham said casually.

Miles froze.
“What?”

“Relax,” Graham said. “Lucy’s not the type to be rattled. But you should know — exes rarely show up to wish you well.”

Miles cursed under his breath and shoved his phone into his pocket.

“I’m heading over there.”

Graham grinned.
“Good man.”

---

When Miles stepped into Nook, Lucy was behind the counter, rearranging the wildflowers Harper had dropped off that morning.
She looked up at the sound of the bell, and despite everything, she smiled.

Miles crossed the space quickly, reaching for her hand.

“You okay?” he asked, voice low.

Lucy squeezed his fingers.

“I’m fine,” she said honestly.
“She tried to rattle me. It didn’t work.”

Miles studied her for a long moment, then brushed a kiss over her forehead.

“You amaze me,” he murmured.

Lucy laughed softly, the last of her tension melting away.

“You’re biased,” she teased.

“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation.
“And I plan to stay that way.”