Chapter 2 MEETING JACE

NATASHA'S POV CONTINUE:

The crisp autumn air was a welcome change as I walked through the sliding doors of the grocery store. I hadn't planned on being here tonight, but I had forgotten to pick up a few essentials after we returned home from the park. With the girls safely at Lisa's house-my friend who'd been there for me through the thick and thin-I felt a flicker of freedom. As I strolled down the aisles, I marveled at the shelves lined with bright packaging, the colors dancing under the fluorescent lights. The store was busy, filled with families bustling about, their carts overflowing with groceries for the week. I felt a twinge of envy as I passed a mother pushing a cart with two children, their faces lighting up at the sight of a cereal box shaped like a cartoon character. I glanced down at my empty cart, the only items inside were a couple of bags of pasta and a jar of tomato sauce-simple staples for the dinners I would be preparing.I had been working part-time at various jobs since I had the girls. Sometimes it was waitressing at the diner down the street; other times, it was helping out at a local bookstore. I did whatever I could to make ends meet. The reality of being a single mother weighed on me every day. I often questioned if I was doing enough, if I was providing them with the life they deserved. As I rounded the corner into the dairy aisle, I grabbed a carton of milk and glanced around. My mind wandered, lost in thoughts of bills and school activities and planning for the future. I didn't notice him at first-a tall man, well-built, with tousled dark hair and striking green eyes, standing at the end of the aisle. He was holding a container of yogurt and staring at it, as though it were the most complicated math problem he'd ever faced. I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath. He looked utterly bewildered, like someone who had never been in a grocery store before. As I turned to leave, I accidentally bumped into his cart. "Oh! I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, stepping back, but I couldn't help but notice the way his eyes lit up when he looked at me. "It's okay," he said, his voice warm and inviting. "I'm Jace, by the way. Jace Winston." He extended his hand, and I took it, surprised by how strong his grip was. "Natasha," I introduced myself, feeling an odd flutter in my stomach. I could tell right away that he was different from the men I was used to encountering. There was a certain kindness in his gaze, an openness that made me feel at ease. "I just moved to town a couple of weeks ago," he continued, glancing at the half-empty cart beside me. "I'm still figuring out where everything is. I must've spent thirty minutes in the cereal aisle. I didn't even know yogurt could be so complicated." I laughed, the sound light and genuine. "It's a maze at first. But it gets easier, I promise. I've spent more time in this store than I care to admit." "Good to know I'm not alone in my grocery struggles," he said, his smile widening. "What brings you here tonight?" I hesitated for a moment. Should I mention the girls? Part of me wanted to keep things light and uncomplicated, but another part yearned for connection, for the chance to be seen as more than just a mother. "Just picking up a few things for dinner," I finally replied, my heart racing at the thought of being honest with this stranger. "Nice. I could use some cooking tips, then," he said, his tone playful. "I may have burnt toast this morning." "Ah, we've all been there," I replied, feeling a warmth in my cheeks as I looked up at him. I was surprised by how easy this felt. It had been a long time since I had a real conversation with someone who wasn't part of my chaotic everyday life. "So, do you live around here?" he asked, leaning against the cart casually. "Just a few blocks away," I said. "It's not the biggest place, but it's home." "Home is good," he nodded, his expression serious for a moment. "I'm still trying to find mine. Just got a job with my dad's company, so I guess I'll be here for a while." "That's great! What do you do?" "I'm a manager," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "Not the most exciting title, but it's a start. I'm still learning the ropes." "Sounds like a solid position," I encouraged, wishing I had something more stable in my life. "It is," he said, then shifted the conversation. "So, what do you like to do when you're not navigating grocery stores?" I could feel the spark of interest between us, and despite the caution I always took when meeting new people, I found myself wanting to share more. As we talked, I could see how he listened intently, his green eyes focused on me as if I were the only person in the room. I felt a connection I hadn't experienced in a long time-an inexplicable spark that left me feeling both exhilarated and anxious. "Can I ask a personal question?" Jace said, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "Sure," I replied, though I felt a flicker of caution."Are you... are you single?" I hesitated, my heart racing. I had never been great at dating, and the thought of venturing into that territory again was daunting. But there was something about him that made me want to take the chance. "Yes," I admitted slowly. "I've been focusing on myself and trying to find a balance, you know? Dating hasn't really been on my radar." He nodded, seemingly thoughtful. "I get that," he replied, a kind smile on his face. "It sounds like you're doing an amazing job." "Maybe we can help each other out, on somethings" he suggested, his tone playful again. "I could use some tips and you could teach me how to cook. We could trade knowledge over coffee?" I was taken aback, surprised by the directness of his invitation. Coffee? Was he really asking me out? My heart raced at the thought. "Um, I-" He quickly added, "I mean, if you're comfortable with it! No pressure at all. I just thought it could be fun." I smiled, feeling a rush of excitement and fear at the same time. Part of me wanted to say yes, to seize this moment and explore the possibility of friendship, or maybe something more. But I hesitated, thoughts of my responsibilities clouding my mind. "I don't know... It's been a while since I've really connected with someone outside." "I totally understand," he said, his voice reassuring. "If you're not ready, I get it. But I think you're incredible, and I'd love the chance to get to know you better." I could feel the sincerity in his words. There was something refreshing about Jace-he seemed genuine, unlike the usual interactions I had with men. "Okay," I said, surprising myself with the decision. "I'd like that." His face broke into a wide grin, and I felt my heart skip a beat. "Awesome! How about Saturday afternoon? I can show you a few tricks in the kitchen, and you can let me know what to do with these." He gestured to the yogurt in his hand. "Saturday sounds perfect," I agreed, already feeling the flutter of nerves. "Great! I'll text you" he said, pulling out his phone and quickly tapping away. "And don't worry-I promise not to burn the toast this time." I chuckled, watching him, surprised at how natural this felt. I couldn't help but think of the last time I'd let someone into my life, how complicated things had become. But maybe this was different. Maybe this time, I could find a balance between being a mother and being myself. "Here you go!" he said, handing me his phone. "Just type in your number, and I'll text you." As I punched in my number, I felt a rush of excitement mixed with apprehension. This was new territory for me-connecting with someone outside of my daily routine.