"Great things never came from comfort zones."

- unknown

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            MY DAYS WERE painfully similar, nothing to stop them from bleeding into one. I would wake up, think about how my business was failing, go to work, come home, and worry some more about how I would make it out of this seemingly bottomless pit.

           I just kept falling and there was absolutely no solid ground for me to stand on. I hadn't even been to the coffee shop, my most sacred place, in weeks, opting out of spending the extra money on seemingly frivolous things.

             Today was different though, I woke up with a renewed sense of hope, something that happened only once in a blue moon.

           It felt like my brain had held up a magnifying glass and I could see clearer. I guess speaking to Penny had seemed to add some perspective. I am strong and I could do this.

             I changed into a simple pair of ripped-knee jeans and put on a rather colorful button up shirt leaving the top three buttons undone. I left my hair down today in untamed dark curls and put on my glasses instead of contacts. I decided to follow my new found optimistic perspective and change up my recently repetitive schedule.

               It's weird how reassuring it was stepping into a familiar place, it felt like home. The chaotically beautiful Monday morning coffee buzz. There was a John Mayer song playing gently through the speakers and I subconsciously hummed along wondering if I should change my redundant coffee order.

           There was comfort in my seemingly mundane black coffee but maybe it was time to step up and try something new, knowing that I needed to do the same with the bakery.

              "Good morning Beatrice," Aubree the barista smiled cheerfully up at me. "The regular?" It was less of a question and more of a statement because she knew that I did not change my coffee order.

                "Actually Aubree, I'm feeling a tad eccentric today. Could I have a Peppermint Mocha? Just to change it up," I felt oddly proud, one small change at a time I told myself. The small barista looked stunned, I know, me too, I agreed with her. She then quickly busied herself making my drink.

                 I stood waiting at the counter for my drink when I felt something on my leg. I ignored it until the tapping became more insistent. I finally looked down and was slightly surprised to find a small child at my feet. "Excuse me?" She stared up at me, blue eyes pouring into my green. She was sweet, dressed in a floral dress, blonde hair pinned out of her face.

               "Hello," I said invitingly and crouched down. "How may I help you, young lady?" She beamed up at me.

              "I just wanted to tell you that your shirt is pretty." She said in a shy voice starting to retreat away from me. I looked down at my rather unconventionally colorful top thinking that maybe this was a sign.

             "Well, thank you! You look absolutely stunning in your dress." The small girl grinned with pride and turned around going to the back of the line at cash. I looked over to where she had marched over to. My eyes wandered up to the parent of the little girl and I gave a small smile before fully realizing who it was. I was sure my jaw had dropped and my eyes had popped out of my head in pure shock.

               I immediately turned around, it was him, coffee shop guy.

               He looked utterly similar to when I had initially seen him several weeks ago. His dark hair was unchanged, slicked back with gel. He wore a suit similar to his last one in style, pressed to perfection, but instead it was a navy blue color. It took me a full moment to recall that, before I abruptly turned around, he smiled back. It hadn't quite met his eyes but it was a welcome expression from the previously stony one from the last time I had seen him.

          He has a daughter? The way he acted with her made me question whether I had misjudged him last time as I had immediately assumed he was a stingy lawyer that permanently had a stick shoved up his ass. He seemed very considerate towards the little girl, so much so that I would find myself smiling at their conversations.

             Damn.

              I could only handle so much change in one day so, I sat in my same spot in the back of the shop near the gossiping trio. I tentatively sipped my hot mocha, preparing myself for the worst. I shut my eyes tightly, bracing myself for the possibly horrid taste. Instead, I was met with a sweetness that beckoned me to drink more, I was pleasantly surprised with all of this changing. I was startled awake from my blissful, coffee drinking revelry by the voice of a small girl.

              "Daddy?" She hummed, tugging on his pant leg as he texted away on his phone. When he didn't answer she repeated again and again until he leaned over.

              "Adaline, baby. Please stop I'm trying to concentrate." He then picked her up in one arm and continued texting with his free hand. She giggled and I thought this was possibly the cutest thing I had ever seen. His voice sounded exhausted and raspy, I felt for him immediately. The small girl, Adaline, then cupped her hands around her mouth and his ear and whispered something. He chuckled and if I wasn't already a pool on the floor, I was now.

            Stop Beatrice, I warned myself.

             I was busy scrolling through a news article on Forbes.com called How to Save Your Business when I was tapped again, on my knee. "Hi," A small voice said.

              "Hello again."

              "My daddy is being a meanie." She frowned and pointed over to him. She was absolutely adorable.

               "Adaline." The mysterious coffee shop man called out to his daughter, he looked around and found her standing beside me. He walked over, his strides fluid. He looked strong and powerful. "I am so sorry," he said running his hand through his hair. "She really loves your shirt." He chuckled.

               "It's really okay. It is a tad extravagant." I admitted running my hands down the side of it. I smiled up at him. I had been too far before to see his eyes before, but from up close they were a crystal gray, utterly exquisite. They had matched the sparse ashen color in his hair. I held his stare for what felt like forever, my heart constricted against myself and I knew this was not a feeling I wanted to have. When he broke contact to glance at my shirt I noticeably let out a long breath.

             "Uh, yes. Quite extravagant." He cleared his throat and frowned disapprovingly at my shirt choice. "Adaline, time to go. We have to get you to daycare." She trudged over to him and he handed her a cookie. She took it gladly from him and immediately bit into it.

             He nodded in my direction and once again his face was devoid of any emotion, looking like the first time I had seen him. He turned quickly on his heel and followed his daughter towards the door. He exuded authority as he strode away quickly and I was sure everyone was looking at the enigmatic man, his presence demanding attention. As he strutted away I noticed that his step would falter once in a while as if trying to hide a limp, I had found a chink in his seemingly flawless armour.

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             I WAS NOT a man hater. I was just known to have lousy luck in that department, every man in my life, with the exception of my father, always seemed to come up short. I think it was a running joke amongst my friends – how many guys could possibly disappoint me? I was also a diehard feminist programming me to accept nothing less than equal treatment, something that was apparently a little too much to ask for.

              These less than ideal past circumstances had definitely shaped the way I view romance and love in general. I definitely didn't need a man to sweep me off my feet and I truly didn't want it to happen anyway. I had become self-dependent and strong relying on myself and this was something I appreciated, I didn't need a man to protect me.

            After a long day of work, I slumped down on the coach with a bowl of cereal. I looked desperately for a movie to watch to calm me down after a stressful day of trying to change things up. I was searching for movies under the drama category and found Casablanca. I hit play and cuddled up into my blanket, trying to find comfort.

             The first time I ever saw Casablanca was when I was 10. Then I was too young of course to understand the real emotion behind the tragically beautiful split of Rick and Ilsa. I was also too naïve, believing that one day I would have the 'perfect' whirlwind romance.

              When my parents split when I was 16 I understood. This was the first time in my life I had ever seen love take a turn for the worst and spiral into an all-consuming hatred. After all, there was a fine line between love and hate. The romance in Casablanca was of course doomed but then, I guessed all romances are doomed if you were to think about it for too long, although, I was not that well versed in the profound intricacies of love.

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            TYPICALLY, I WAS not awake past 12 a.m. being a self-proclaimed morning person. When Penny texted me though at 12:15 I was wide awake. A certain pair of gray eyes that kept consuming my view made me want to stop thinking and stay awake. I didn't want to be attracted to him. I think God had planned against that one though, as I realized he was the most gorgeous man I had ever seen. No woman in the entire coffee shop had been immune to his emotionless charm and ended up staring at him in awe.

            I pulled my phone out from underneath my pillow and glanced at the screen. I winced at the bright light emitted from the phone screen, temporarily blinding me.

you're in.

            That was it. What could she have meant? In all honesty, Penny had never-ending surprises for me, keeping me on my toes. I played along.

in where? the circus?

no silly. I got you something...

            I waited patiently for the next text message. I sat up and crossed my legs peering at the phone in curiosity. The three dots blinked on the screen and then disappeared. She was hesitating, this couldn't be good.

please don't be mad.

            Definitely bad.

I asked my boss.

            Oh shit, this was not what I was expecting.

Penny, I swear to god! you fucking didn't.

             I had usually reserved my swearing for situations where it was absolutely necessary and this was definitely one of these moments.

I did. but he was cool. he gave me his email and said for any business inquiries you must email him.

             This was not happening.

[email protected]. Bo, I know you are going to be mad but it will be fine. you need to accept the help.

             No, Penny, I don't, definitely not, I thought. I didn't want help at all, let alone from the man she made seem like the King of all stingy old bastards.

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author's note:

           
Hello, lovelies! So, the first real chapter with a little insight into Mr. mystery's life. I know, it's kind of a big deal revealing he has a daughter. I was contemplating re-writing this chapter to reveal him in a less surprising kind of way. But, I decided that since you guys have been so incredible that I would leave it the way it is.

On another note, Casablanca. If you have not yet seen this movie you must watch it. It is simply my most favorite movie and if you are too a hopeless romantic, definitely give it a try. It was the first black and white film I had ever watched and it 100% changed my life. I found it pretty easily online so just look it up if you are interested!

You guys are so great and make my writing this story so enjoyable! It is crazy to see how many readers have read my book and I have had the chance to interact with some of you and I think it is really incredible that you guys are all around the world.

Whew! That was a long author's note.

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