Chapter 3 Jace pov

JACE POV:

I stood in the middle of the grocery store, my heart racing after my conversation with Natasha. I watched as she walked away, her cart rolling slowly beside her, the faint glow of the store's overhead lights illuminating her silhouette. Something about her had drawn me in from the moment I first spotted her. It wasn't just her beauty-though she was undeniably stunning, with her dark hair cascading down her back and those expressive brown eyes that sparkled with warmth and kindness. It was the way she carried herself, a mix of strength and vulnerability that resonated with me on a level I hadn't anticipated.I introduced myself as Jace Winston, and while I had always been proud of my name-proud of my father and the legacy he had built-I felt like I was finally ready to step into my own light. I had moved to this town seeking a fresh start, hoping to carve out a path that wasn't just defined by my family name. I had a decent job lined up as a manager at my father's company, but I wanted more than just a position handed to me. I wanted to earn my place, to prove myself, and perhaps to discover who I truly was away from the expectations of my upbringing.But meeting Natasha changed everything. I could hardly remember what I had been thinking about when I bumped into her, my mind racing with a mix of thoughts about work and my recent move. Yet, the moment we spoke, it felt like the world around us faded away.As I drove home that evening, I couldn't help but replay our conversation in my mind. I felt a warmth spreading through me, an excitement I hadn't felt in a long time. I had always been the good son, the responsible one who followed the family's script. But with Natasha, I felt like I could be myself, someone who was still discovering who he was, outside of his father's shadow. The drive was short, just a few minutes from the grocery store to my new apartment. It was a modest place, but it felt like a blank canvas, a space where I could finally create my own life. As I parked and stepped inside, I felt a sense of purpose wash over me. Once inside, I flopped down onto the couch and pulled out my phone. I had promised to text Natasha, but instead, I stared at the screen, feeling an odd mix of nerves and anticipation. I could hardly believe that I had asked her out. "Coffee?" I had asked. My heart pounded at the thought of the date, and I couldn't help but smile at how easy it had been to talk to her. I was ready to take a leap.With my fingers hovering over the keyboard, I began typing, my heart racing with each word. "Hey Natasha, it's Jace from the grocery store! Just wanted to say I had a great time talking to you. Looking forward to Saturday!" I hit send and leaned back, letting out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Part of me felt exhilarated; another part felt uncertain. What if she didn't feel the same spark? What if she was just being polite? I shook my head, pushing those thoughts aside. I had to remind myself to take things one step at a time. The truth was, I felt something genuine for Natasha, and it was frightening to realize just how quickly I was falling for her. There was something magnetic about her, something that drew me in and made me want to know her more deeply.I found myself scrolling through my phone, revisiting the text I'd sent her earlier. My fingers hovered over the screen, hesitant to send another message. What could I say to keep the momentum going without coming on too strong? After deliberating for a few minutes, I settled on a simple yet intimate query: _"Are you there!"_As I hit send, butterflies danced in my stomach, fueled by the thrill of the unknown. I eagerly awaited her response, curious about the person she was beyond our brief encounter. A deep longing stirred within me, urging me to explore the connection we'd sparked.What was it about Natasha that captivated me? It wasn't just her beauty-though she certainly had that in spades. There was something deeper, a resilience in her spirit that resonated with me. I admired how she handled herself. I had always respected strong women, those who fought against the odds to create a life for themselves. Natasha was one of those women, and I wanted to know her story.My phone buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. I quickly grabbed it, eager to see her response."Hey Jace! Thanks for the reminder. I'm looking forward to it too! Any thoughts on where you want to meet?"I smiled at her reply. "How about that little coffee shop on Maple Street? I heard they have the best lattes in town.""Sounds perfect! I'll see you at 10?""10 it is! Can't wait. "I set my phone down, feeling a thrill of anticipation wash over me. I had no idea how the coffee date would go, but the mere idea of spending time with her made my heart race. I couldn't help but think of the possibilities. Could this lead to something more? I brushed the thought aside, trying to keep my expectations in check. After all, I barely knew her. But there was a spark, a connection that felt promising.I stood up, moving to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. As I twisted the cap off, my mind wandered back to my conversation with Natasha. I loved how easy it was to talk to her. She had this lightness about her, a sense of humor that made me feel comfortable. It was refreshing compared to the more serious conversations I often had at work. I worked in a corporate environment, and it could be suffocating at times. The pressure to perform and impress my father was always looming. As I chugged down some water, I thought about my father's expectations for me. He was proud of my new position at Winston Enterprises, but he also had a vision for my future-one that involved climbing the corporate ladder quickly and eventually taking over the family business. I had never wanted that life for myself. I wanted to carve my own path, to discover what made me truly happy. But the weight of my family's legacy was heavy on my shoulders. I sometimes felt trapped, caught between what I wanted and what was expected of me. I wanted to break free, to find my own identity, but the thought of disappointing my father made me uneasy. I pulled out my laptop and plopped back onto the couch, determined to distract myself from my worries. I opened a new document and began typing, letting my thoughts flow freely onto the screen. Writing had always been a way for me to escape, a creative outlet that helped me process my emotions. I often penned down my dreams, my fears, and my aspirations, searching for clarity in a world that felt chaotic.As I typed, my thoughts inevitably drifted back to Natasha. I imagined her smile, the way her eyes lit up. I could picture her in her element. It struck me how admirable that was. After a while, I pushed the laptop away and stood up. I needed to get out, to clear my mind. I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, hoping the fresh air would help settle my thoughts. I grabbed my jacket and stepped outside, the chill of the evening air invigorating.As I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation building inside me. I replayed our conversation in my mind, how effortlessly we connected. It felt refreshing to talk to someone who wasn't just interested in the mundane aspects of life, someone who had depth and character. I strolled through the quiet streets, passing by quaint houses with warm lights glowing from within. I envied the families inside, the laughter and chatter spilling out into the night. I wished for that kind of normalcy, that sense of belonging. It was something I had longed for, but I was starting to realize it wasn't unattainable.I pulled out my phone, scrolling through pictures I had taken since moving here. There were some of the cityscape, a few of my new apartment, and then I stumbled upon a photo from my last trip to the coast. The sun was setting over the waves, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. It reminded me of carefree days spent with friends, moments when laughter filled the air and nothing else mattered. Suddenly, I felt a longing for connection wash over me. I wanted to share experiences, to build memories, not just for myself, but for someone else too. Perhaps Natasha could be that someone. The thought both thrilled and terrified me. After my walk, I returned home, my mind still racing. I realized I had yet to put together a plan for our coffee date. I wanted to make it special, to show her that I was genuinely interested in getting to know her. But how could I do that without coming on too strong? As I settled back onto my couch, I decided to focus on enjoying our time together. I could tell she was cautious, maybe even a little guarded. I understood that completely. Trusting someone new wasn't easy, . I needed to be patient, to let her take the lead.I thought about how to approach the date. I wanted it to be relaxed, something that allowed us to talk freely without any pressure. I remembered the little coffee shop on Maple Street, with its cozy atmosphere and comfortable seating. It felt like the right place-intimate enough for conversation, but not too quiet where we'd feel self-conscious.The rest of the night passed in a blur of thoughts about Natasha. I imagined her smile, the way her eyes sparkled with warmth and kindness. I thought about her laughter, how genuine it sounded, and how it filled me with a sense of hope. As I settled into bed later that night, I couldn't shake the feeling of excitement. I had no idea where this path would lead, but I was ready to see where it took me. I closed my eyes, thoughts of Natasha swirling through my mind, a smile creeping onto my face as I drifted off to sleep.