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Carolina Church loved grocery shopping, which might be a weird thing to love. She loved getting out of the house, putting noise cancellation headphones on, holding a physical grocery list, and walking around a store to buy stuff. It was pretty much soothing to her, a chance to relax and take care of herself. If anyone unsavory approached her, she was well trained in the martial arts to protect herself.
She used to shop for others, primarily her brothers and her dad after their mom died. But David had gone into the military and Leonard Jr. (he liked to be called their last name instead) was off at college so now it was her and two kittens she had found on the street, Eta and Iota. Her youngest brother, Church, had a cat named Epsilon when he was younger and so, the Greek alphabet theme stayed.
Carolina was humming to herself as she browsed the cat foods, holding her phone as she looked up the best kinds for her kittens. She had finally decided on a brand and flavor, heaving it into her cart. She was about to leave the aisle when someone tapped on her shoulder. Carolina’s training kicked in and she grabbed the wrist of the hand but stopped when she had fully turned around.
The wrist was connected to a man and Carolina couldn’t deny that he was really handsome. His left eye had a foggy look to it as well as a scar around it, from his left eyebrow to his left cheekbone. That must have been the reason for the dog accompanying him, “SERVICE DOG: ASK TO PET” labeled on the jacket on the aforementioned dog.
Carolina blinked herself out of her thoughts, taking her headphones off as she realized he was trying to talk to her. He flashed an apologetic smile, “I’m really sorry about that. I was trying to get your attention but you probably couldn’t hear through the headphones.” He pointed to his ears, shrugging half heartedly.
“Um, it’s okay,” Carolina had decided he probably wouldn’t hurt her, especially with the service dog he had on a leash. “What did you need?” York turned a bit red at that. “I was hoping to ask you for a favor? I was just shopping when I noticed my ex had walked in with his new boyfriend, someone I know. I was wondering if maybe we could act like a couple so neither of them don’t berate me for not getting a new partner.” Carolina couldn’t imagine why anyone would do that but she was starting to feel sympathetic for the man.
“Okay, um, do you want to hold hands while I finish shopping?” She offers, grabbing her grocery list out of her pocket and showing it to him. “That would be great! I’m James York by the way, you can call me York, and this is Delta.” York runs a hand over Delta’s brown head as the dog peers up at Carolina. “I’m Carolina Church.” She returns the introductions, holding out her right hand.
York shakes her hand with his own right one, his grip strong yet gentle. Carolina laughs. “I held it out so we can hold hands but that works too.” The man blushes again, chuckling along. They both simultaneously clasp their fingers around each other’s. York is holding Delta’s leash with his left hand while Carolina’s hand in his left. Carolina is glad she’s strong as she pushes her cart with her free hand. They must look so much like a couple.
♡
Over the next hour and a half, Carolina barely lets go of the man’s hand as they get to know each other. He’s funny, charismatic, and even prettier with a sincere smile on his face. She learns his complete blindness in his left eye is from being in the military and he makes up for it with Delta, the brown Australian Shepherd service dog who watches his 9. Carolina is a cat person, showing him pictures of Eta and Iota. They talk about having a playdate to get her kittens used to other animals.
Carolina talks about her brothers (of course mentioning the dog her youngest one just adopted) and York about his younger sister, Vanessa. He doesn’t talk to his parents and offers apologies when Carolina mentions her mother. She waves him off and tells him about how her love of cat stemmed from her hatred of her father. They aren’t the best conversation topics but Carolina has never been the best at those.
It almost feels normal when York strolls up to the checkout with her. He makes sure to greet the cashier but instantly turns back to Carolina, smiling and insisting he helps with the bags. He holds her hand as she pays, taking a treat out of his pocket to give to Delta. He even goes with her to her car, helping to load the bags into the back of her cyan truck.
Carolina is loading the last grocery bag into her backseat when something hits her: the entire time they were in the store together, she had never seen a single couple in the store with them. She tries to think of reasons why: the time, the weather, if there were any holidays occurring but she just lands on the fact that York wanted to come onto her. And she finds that she doesn’t really mind.
So she strolls up to York and Delta, “can I see your phone? Unlocked?” York blinks owlishly at her. “Okay?” He replies and gives it to her, unlocked. Carolina is quick to put her number in, adding a light blue heart next to her name. “So you can work more of your charm on me.” She says, handing the device back to him. “And so Delta can meet Eta and Iota, of course.” She winks at him and presses a kiss to his left cheek, narrowly missing part of his scar. York is stunned but his face eventually lands on a gentle smile. “So I can charm you. Yeah!” He exclaims smartly. Carolina laughs and gets in the driver’s side of her truck. She can’t wait to see him again.