NATASHA'S POV
The drive back from "The Stitching Nook" was a kaleidoscope of emotions. The sheer audacity of Jace's generosity still left me breathless, a sense of unreality clinging to me like the faint scent of new fabric in the car. He kept the conversation light, pointing out quirky storefronts and telling amusing anecdotes about his day at the office, but beneath the surface of his words, I sensed a quiet anticipation, a hopeful curiosity about my reaction.
He pulled up outside my familiar brick apartment building, the mundane reality a stark contrast to the vibrant dreamscape of the shop. "So?" he asked, turning to face me, his usual easy smile a touch more earnest. "What do you think?"
The question hung in the air, a pivotal moment. Gratitude swelled within me, a powerful tide threatening to overwhelm my carefully constructed composure. "it's beyond anything I could have imagined. Thank you." The words felt inadequate, a mere whisper compared to the enormity of his gift.
A wave of relief washed over his features, softening the slight tension I had sensed earlier. "I'm just glad you like it."
A beat of silence. The "cook" comment still echoed in my mind, a playful mask over something far more significant. I needed to be honest, to lay the groundwork for a different kind of understanding. "I do want to do it," I said, my voice gaining strength. "But it has to be a loan. A proper one. We need to figure out the repayment."
His smile remained, a touch of amusement now playing on his lips. "We will, Natasha. We will. But for now, just let the possibility sink in."
As I stepped out of the car, the weight of his kindness settled upon me, a responsibility I felt both honored and slightly daunted by.
The silence in the apartment after Jace left felt thick with possibility and a healthy dose of fear. I leaned against the closed door, the weight of his offer pressing down on me. The Stitching Nook. A fully equipped shop. For me. The audacity, the sheer generosity of it, still made my head spin.
Lisa emerged from the girls' room, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Kiara and Ciara, thankfully, had been easily distracted by a cartoon and hadn't fully grasped the gravity of the adult conversation. "So?" Lisa asked, her eyebrows raised in anticipation. "Spill."
I pushed myself off the door, pacing the small living room.
"You're practically glowing."
I hesitated, the words about the shop hovering on the edge of my tongue. It felt too big, too wonderful to just blurt out. "It's... it's complicated," I hedged, settling down on the sofa.
Lisa took a sit beside me, arms crossed, her expression a mixture of curiosity and mild exasperation. "Complicated how? Guy trouble? Did Jace finally confess his undying love while fixing your leaky faucet?"
A genuine smile finally broke through my carefully constructed facade. "It's not exactly that."
"Then what is it?" she pressed, her eyes widening with intrigue.
I took a deep breath.
"Well," my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper,
"He... he made me an offer," I said, the words tumbling out in a rush. "He... he found a space. A shop. For my tailoring."
Lisa's jaw dropped, her eyes widening to saucer-like proportions. "A shop? For your tailoring? You're kidding me!"
"I don't know, Lisa. It's... incredible. Overwhelming. Terrifying, even."
"Terrifyingly amazing, you mean?" Lisa countered, plopping onto the sofa and gesturing for me to join her.
I sat down, my hands twisting in my lap. "It's just... why? Why would he do something like this? What does he expect in return?" The "cook" comment felt too flippant to be the full explanation.
Lisa shrugged. "Maybe he sees your talent, Nat. Maybe he wants to help someone he... likes." Her eyes twinkled, and I shot her a warning glare. "Okay, okay. But seriously, think about it. This is what you've always wanted, right? A chance to do what you love, to be your own boss."
The image of the gleaming sewing machines, the vibrant fabrics, the potential... it was a powerful lure. The diner was a means to an end, a constant hustle that left me drained. The thought of creating, of bringing my designs to life, filled a part of me that had been dormant for too long. And providing for Kiara and Ciara through my passion... that was a dream I hadn't dared to voice.
"But the responsibility..." I murmured. "Running a business... I don't know the first thing about it."
"You're smart, Nat. You're resourceful. You'll learn," Lisa said confidently. "And Jace... he seems like the kind of person who would offer support, not just hand you the keys and disappear."
Her words resonated. Jace's demeanor, his earnestness, felt genuine. There was a vulnerability in his offer, a sense that he truly wanted to see me succeed. And the "investment" idea... it felt less like charity and more like a belief in my potential.
As the initial shock and excitement subsided, Lisa's practical side kicked in. "So, tell me everything! Where is it? What's it like? When can I see it?"
I launched into a detailed description of "The Stitching Nook," the gleaming wooden floors, the sage green walls, the rows of brand-new sewing machines, the endless possibilities held within the bolts of fabric. Lisa listened intently, peppering me with questions, her enthusiasm infectious.
"This is amazing, Nat," she said, her eyes shining. "You're finally going to do what you've always been meant to do."
The conversation flowed easily, the weight of the news lifted, replaced by a shared excitement for the future. As we talked about the shop, Lisa's own news about the quiet regular who liked blueberry pie surfaced.
"So," she said, a tentative smile playing on her lips, "remember that guy, the one who always orders the pie?"
I nodded, a playful glint in my eyes. "The sweet one with the kind eyes?"
"Yeah," she blushed slightly. "He... he asked me out"
My excitement for her mirrored my own for the shop. "Lisa! That's wonderful! You absolutely have to go."
A flicker of doubt crossed her face. "I don't know, Nat... it feels strange. It's been so long."
"So what, everyone deserves a chance at happiness. Just be careful, okay? Take it slow. Get to know him. You know how things can be." My own cautious nature, born from past hurts, instinctively offered a word of caution.
Lisa nodded, a hopeful smile returning. "You're right.. It's just a date" But the anticipation in her voice was palpable.
Her genuine excitement and support were a balm to my lingering anxieties. As we talked about our respective tentative steps towards something new, a sense of cautious optimism filled the air. The future felt uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, it also felt full of possibility, stitched together with hope and the unwavering support of a dear friend.