A night of celebration, a lifetime consequence

'S POV

tinued, 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