**Chapter 1: A Tidal Wave of Emotions**

The sun had barely risen over the horizon, casting a warm golden light over the coastal city of Tidal Cove. The sound of seagulls filled the air as Aubrey Jamison paddled out on her surfboard, her curly brown hair tied back in a ponytail, her big brown eyes squinting against the glare of the sun on the water. Her two dogs, a dachshund named Bingo and a chocolate lab named Moose, watched from the beach, barking excitedly as she caught a wave and rode it all the way to shore. Aubrey beached her board and walked back to her beach house, a cozy little bungalow with a patchwork of colorful flowers and a porch that overlooked the ocean. She lived for moments like this, alone with the sea and the wind in her hair. It was moments like these that she felt most at peace. As she walked into her kitchen, she was greeted by the aroma of freshly baked pastries wafting from the oven. Her sister Wanda, the resident baker, was already up and hard at work, preparing for the lunch rush at their restaurant, The Coastal Catch. Aubrey's stomach growled in anticipation as she poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table to enjoy the quiet morning moment. Just then, her phone buzzed with a text from Sophie, her sister and head chef. "Hey, sis! Just a heads up, we're short-staffed today and I need you to cover the lunch shift. Oh, and by the way, I invited Meghan Argent to dinner tonight. She's new in town and looking for a fresh start." Aubrey's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Meghan's name. She had heard rumors about the brilliant and beautiful head prosecutor who had just moved to Tidal Cove. Rumors that she was smart, confident, and devastatingly gorgeous. Aubrey's curiosity was piqued. The rest of the morning flew by in a blur as Aubrey helped out at the restaurant, prepping for the lunch rush and making sure everything was running smoothly. At 5 pm, she finished up her tasks and headed back to her beach house to get ready for dinner. As she was changing into a flowy sundress, she heard a knock at the door. It was Sophie and Margo, her sister and sister-in-law, with a bottle of wine and a plate of fresh-baked cookies. "We're just here to give you a quick briefing on Meghan," Sophie said, winking. "She's recently divorced and looking for a fresh start. And, Aubrey, she's got a rep for being fierce in the courtroom." Aubrey raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what about her personal life?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Margo grinned mischievously. "Let's just say that she's got a reputation for being very... focused. Until recently, that is." Aubrey's heart skipped a beat as she wondered what that meant. Was Meghan looking for a distraction? And was Aubrey ready to be that distraction? Just then, Aubrey's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. "Hey, I'm Meghan. Sophie gave me your number. Can't wait to meet you tonight." Aubrey's pulse quickened as she read the message, her mind racing with possibilities. Little did she know, her life was about to get turned upside down by the arrival of the captivating and confident Meghan Argent.