If you are hesitant on getting a road bike do not get one. If you are only riding around town do not get one. A hybrid bike is fine for around the 10-30mile ride. If you get a trek the 7.3fx has nice hardware the 7.2fx has much cheaper hardware. If it has to be a trek get a 7.3fx. If your LBS deals in Kona I would get a Dew. You can pick one up for around $400 easy and it should provide you the same level of functionality as a 7.3fx. After you get into riding and want to do longer rides as in over 15miles then consider a road bike.

I really hate how every suggests road bikes for rides that are under 10miles hills or not. I ride everyday 6+miles every day with hills worse then that pictured and a hybrid suits me fine. I take it to the store, ride it to work. Also ride it on a wide shoulder highway with 60+mph traffic. Past Saturday did a 12mile ride. No problems at all.

Buy a inexpensive hybrid and ride it to death. If you get 1000+miles and want to do longer rides go with a nicer bike. There is no point in dropping so much money on a bike unless you are going to be riding the miles. If you really think you are going to be doing a lot of miles go with a road bike but it sounds like your hesitant enough to do the 8mile commute on that road. I would personally go with a bike that is cheap so you can get your bearings.