A Step Closer

 Chapter 9: A Step Closer

The days were getting shorter as autumn began to settle over the town, casting warm amber hues through the store's windows. Lena glanced at the freshly painted trim around the front door, feeling a sense of pride in the small improvements she'd made. The store felt a bit brighter, a little more inviting, and with every passing day, she was reminded of Jace's presence, his easygoing support and his constant teasing. He'd become an unlikely source of comfort in her life.

Today, though, there was something different in the air. When Jace walked in, his usual smirk was absent, replaced by an almost tentative look that made Lena's heart clench.

"Morning, Ms. Shop Owner," he greeted, but his voice lacked its usual lightness.

"Good morning, Jace," Lena replied, her concern rising. She tried to keep her tone steady, hoping he'd open up on his own.

He lingered by the counter, seemingly lost in thought as he fiddled with a bag of peanuts. Finally, he looked up, his gaze meeting hers with a softness that was uncharacteristic for him.

"Thanks, by the way," he said quietly. "For listening yesterday. I know I'm not… easy to talk to about this stuff."

Lena felt a warmth spread through her chest, and she gave him a small smile. "You're not that hard to talk to, you know. When you're serious, at least."

He chuckled softly, his expression relaxing a bit. "Yeah, I guess I can be serious when I have to be." He glanced around the store, his gaze distant. "It's just… this place. It feels different. Safer, somehow. I guess I forget about… everything else when I'm here."

Lena's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to say that, and the honesty in his voice left her momentarily speechless. She'd always thought of the store as her own sanctuary, a place where she could escape from her worries. The thought that Jace saw it that way too made her feel a connection to him she hadn't fully acknowledged before.

"Well," she replied softly, "you're always welcome here. Whether you're buying coffee, cracking jokes, or just… being here."

He looked at her, his blue eyes softer than she'd ever seen them. For a moment, they simply stood there, the unspoken understanding hanging between them like a fragile thread.

"Thanks, Lena," he murmured, using her name for once instead of "Ms. Shop Owner." It felt intimate, personal, and the sound of it sent a thrill through her that she couldn't quite explain.

She looked away, a bit flustered, and busied herself by rearranging the counter display. "So… I was wondering," she said, trying to lighten the mood, "what's your actual plan here? I mean, I get that you're sort of hiding from this whole family situation, but… don't you ever think about, you know, what comes next?"

Jace's expression darkened slightly, and he shrugged. "Honestly? I haven't thought that far ahead. I've spent so much time just… running. Trying to be free from it all."

"Free from your family's expectations?" Lena asked gently.

"Yeah," he said, his gaze dropping to the floor. "When my parents died, it was like I suddenly became a puppet, with my family pulling all the strings. I didn't want that. I didn't want any part of it." He paused, letting out a sigh. "I guess I came here hoping I could finally just… be myself."

Lena nodded, her heart aching at his words. She couldn't imagine what it must have felt like to lose his parents and then be forced into a life he didn't want. It was no wonder he'd turned up in this small town, far away from the pressures of his family's world.

"Well, if it helps," she said quietly, "I think you've done a pretty good job of being yourself here. You've certainly… made an impression."

He looked up, a hint of amusement returning to his eyes. "An impression, huh? I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is," she replied, smiling. "You're like a… a surprise guest that won't leave."

He laughed, the sound lightening the air between them. "Glad to know I'm not overstaying my welcome, Ms. Shop Owner."

They shared a laugh, and Lena felt a warmth settle in her chest. She knew she was getting closer to him, closer than she'd ever intended, but something about it felt right. And yet, there was still a guarded part of Jace that she couldn't quite reach, a part of him that held back even now.

As if sensing her thoughts, Jace shifted, his expression becoming a little more serious. "I know I don't tell you everything, Lena. But… thanks for not asking too many questions. I don't deserve that kind of patience."

She shook her head. "You deserve a lot more than you think. Just… remember that, okay?"

He held her gaze for a long moment, and she could see the gratitude in his eyes, mixed with something deeper, something that made her heart race. But he quickly looked away, breaking the spell.

"Anyway," he said, his tone turning lighter, "I better get going before you start charging me rent just for standing here."

Lena laughed, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, you're probably right. You're here so often, you might as well be on the payroll."

"Careful, or I might take you up on that offer," he teased, but there was a gentleness in his tone that softened the words.

As he turned to leave, he paused at the door, looking back at her with a hesitant smile. "See you tomorrow, Ms. Shop Owner?"

"Tomorrow," she replied, feeling a quiet thrill at the thought.

Jace left, the door chiming softly behind him, and Lena watched him go, her mind racing with everything he'd said—and everything he hadn't. She'd glimpsed a piece of his pain today, a sliver of the burdens he carried. And as she stood there, surrounded by the familiar comfort of her store, she couldn't help but wonder if she was beginning to care about him more than she realized.

Because in Jace, she saw someone who needed the same sense of belonging she did. And for the first time, she found herself hoping he'd stay a little longer—not just for the company, but because she wanted to help him find the peace he was searching for.