The Habit

 Chapter 3: The Habit

The morning breeze drifted through the store's slightly cracked front door, carrying with it the smell of freshly cut grass and faint city noise. Lena leaned against the counter, sipping the coffee Jace had insisted on buying her yesterday. Somehow, it tasted better than usual—maybe because for the first time in weeks, she'd actually managed a few hours of decent sleep.

Just as she took another sip, the door chimed, and she looked up, half-expecting Mrs. Park or one of her handful of regulars. Instead, there was Jace, sauntering in with that same carefree grin and a slight bounce to his step. He was becoming almost a fixture, an unexpected constant in her routine that she wasn't sure she minded.

"Morning, Ms. Shop Owner!" he called out, his voice warm and cheery.

Lena rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Back again, Jace? People might start thinking you're part of the store."

"Well, you do make a mean cup of canned coffee," he replied, tapping the counter with a playful wink. "Plus, I'd hate to miss my daily dose of Ms. Shop Owner's sparkling personality."

"Oh, please." Lena laughed, pretending to brush him off. But inside, she couldn't deny that it was nice to have someone around who made her laugh, who genuinely seemed to enjoy being there.

Jace made his way over to the drink aisle, grabbing his usual can of coffee. But this time, he also picked up a bag of peanuts, tossing it between his hands as he strolled back to the counter.

"Expanding your selection?" she teased as she rang up his items.

"What can I say? You've got me branching out," he replied with a smirk, slipping another crisp bill—this time, a twenty—onto the counter. Lena shot him a look, but he simply held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, it's not my fault your store's the most exciting place around."

Lena rolled her eyes again, but this time, there was genuine warmth in her voice. "You know, you don't have to keep tipping so much. I'd rather you come back than feel obligated to overpay."

"Trust me, Ms. Shop Owner, I'm here because I want to be," he said, a hint of sincerity slipping into his usual playful tone. "Besides, it's not like you're twisting my arm."

Her smile faltered slightly as she noticed his expression soften. There was something in his eyes—an undercurrent of something deeper, as if he understood the weight she carried even though she barely knew him. She quickly looked away, busying herself with organizing the small pile of receipts by the register.

"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Jace asked, leaning on the counter as he cracked open his can of coffee.

"Oh, you know," she replied, trying to keep her tone light. "The usual routine: rearranging stock, waiting for customers, counting down the hours. Thrilling stuff."

"Well, if you need a little extra excitement, I'm always here to offer top-notch commentary," he teased, taking a long sip of his coffee. "Or, if you're feeling wild, I could even grab some chips and we could mix it up with a snack pairing."

She laughed, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

"Hey, I live to entertain," he replied, flashing her a grin.

Their easy banter continued for a few more minutes, the lighthearted conversation a welcome distraction from the worries she usually carried around. She was surprised by how natural it felt to talk to him, as if he'd somehow slipped past her defenses without her even noticing.

As they chatted, Lena found herself relaxing more than she had in days. Jace was like a breath of fresh air, someone who brought a spark of light into the otherwise empty store. And though she'd never admit it, she was beginning to look forward to his visits.

Just as Jace finished his coffee and crumpled up the can, the door chimed again. Lena looked up to see one of the local kids, a teenage boy named Noah, who usually came in after school for a soda or a candy bar.

"Hey, Ms. Takahashi," Noah mumbled, barely glancing at her as he made his way to the candy aisle.

"Morning, Noah," Lena replied, watching as he grabbed a candy bar and approached the counter.

Jace leaned back, giving Noah a friendly nod. "What's up, man?"

Noah looked at him with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "Not much," he mumbled before turning back to Lena and handing her a few crumpled bills.

Lena rang him up, passing the change back to him with a soft smile. "Have a good day, Noah."

He nodded, glancing back at Jace one last time before scurrying out. As soon as he was gone, Jace chuckled, shaking his head. "Tough crowd."

Lena smirked, watching Noah disappear down the street. "He's shy. But he's one of my few regulars, so I can't complain."

"You're a natural with people, you know that?" Jace said, his voice softer than usual. "Everyone who comes in here seems to feel… I don't know, like they belong."

She looked down, surprised by his words. "I guess I just try to make people feel welcome. My dad always said that a store is more than just a place to buy things—it's part of the community."

Jace studied her quietly, as if he were seeing a side of her he hadn't expected. "Sounds like your dad was a smart guy."

"He was," she replied, feeling a pang of sadness that she quickly pushed away. "I'm just trying to keep his spirit alive here, you know? Even if it's not always easy."

Jace nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. "Well, for what it's worth, I think you're doing a great job, Ms. Shop Owner."

She felt her cheeks warm, and she quickly busied herself with rearranging the counter display. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The silence between them was comfortable, a quiet understanding passing between them that didn't need words. Jace, as usual, broke the moment with a playful grin.

"So, what's the plan for tomorrow, Ms. Shop Owner? You gonna have the VIP coffee ready for me?"

"Oh, I'll think about it," she replied, smirking. "But only if you stop calling me Ms. Shop Owner."

"Not a chance," he shot back, his grin widening. "You're stuck with it."

She rolled her eyes, but deep down, she found herself secretly hoping he'd never stop. His silly nickname, his casual presence—it was becoming part of her routine, something she looked forward to without even realizing it.

As Jace headed toward the door, he paused, giving her a casual wave. "See you tomorrow, Ms. Shop Owner. Don't let the place fall apart without me."

"Oh, I think I'll manage," she replied, crossing her arms and giving him a mock glare.

He laughed, holding up his hands in surrender before heading out the door. Lena watched him go, feeling a warmth settle in her chest that lingered long after he'd disappeared down the street.

She glanced around the store, a faint smile on her lips. For the first time in a long while, the empty aisles didn't feel quite so lonely. And as she returned to her tasks, she realized she was already counting down the hours until Jace's next visit.