Chapter 1

The day started like any other day. Poppi woke up to the smell of hot breakfast and light chatter in the kitchen. She squirmed down into her blankets, trying to soak up the last bit of sleep she could muster. The sun had already made its way above the horizon and was gently kissing her shoulders. Her amber curls fell onto her pillow like a curtain of red embers. She gave a groan and finally opened her eyes.

“It is way too early for my parents to be up and about,” she thought, checking the time on her sunflower clock.

It was 6:45 am, on a Saturday. They always slept in until 8:00 am. She had to get up and find out what was going on. She slipped on her fluffy, purple robe and went downstairs. She saw her mom at the stove and her stepdad was making coffee.

Her mom smiled when she saw her standing in the doorway. She motioned for her to come over.

“Poppi, I am so glad you are awake. Fred has some news to share this morning!” Valyn said, a little too excitedly.

Poppi averted her attention to her stepdad, Fred.

“So Pops, you remember my son MJ right?” He began.

Poppi shook her head, “No, not really dad. I know you speak about him and you go visit him in Maryland, but I don’t really know him,” she stated.

Fred didn’t combine his two worlds ever. His son was the most important person to him and he didn’t share him with others. They didn’t even take pictures together or post on social media. Fred had a photo of MJ on the fireplace but he was maybe 7 or 8 years old in it. Fred kept his former life before Valyn very private. Poppi respected it and never pried.

“Well, he is coming to work with me at the firm this summer as an intern. So we will have a house guest for three months!” Fred shouted.

Poppi sat stunned. She would actually be meeting her stepbrother? This was huge for her. She had always wanted a sibling, but had been denied that opportunity by Fred.

“This is so exciting. I will treat MJ like the brother i never had. It will be a fun summer dad!” Poppi said, grabbing some toast.

“Popsicles, when you get dressed for the day do you mind heading to the store for a few things? MJ will be here today and we will be making dinner,” Valyn asked.

“Of course mom. Like I said, I have been wanting this for so long. It’s like a dream come true. Me and MJ will be besties!” Poppi declared.

She finished her breakfast quickly so she could get to the store. Her mom had made a detailed list:

Chicken breasts

Penne pasta noodles

Tomato paste

Whipping cream

Spinach

Garlic cloves

Her mom must be making a rich and creamy pasta for dinner. She grabbed a shopping cart from the front of the store and began her shopping. She looked up at the signs to help direct her on her quest. She immediately saw the sign for the pasta and rushed over.

She scanned the aisle. There were tall boxes, short boxes, thin boxes, and wide ones, but nothing that said PENNE. She scanned again. And again. Her frustration was building as she yelled, “You are seriously so dumb,” to the array of noodle boxes.

“I would like to think I’m rather clever,” a male voice said.

Poppi whipped around and saw the most beautiful man she had ever seen. He was tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. His smile was smirked on his face and he had a box of macaroni pasta in his hand.

“Oh my gosh, I wasn’t talking to you. I am so sorry,” she apologized, turning a bright shade of red.

“Oh it’s no worries beautiful. I’m just happy I got to talk to you,” he flirted.

She fixed her shirt and felt her cheeks getting hot.

“Beautiful huh? What’s your name? Or should I call you the stranger in the pasta aisle, when I tell this story to my friends later?” she joked.

He smiled and ruffled his hair. “My name is Madden. What’s yours?” he asked.

“My name is Lisa,” she lied.

He squinted his eyes at her as if he wanted to say or ask something, but he hesitated.

“What kind of pasta are you looking for?” Madden asked.

With a huge sigh she said, “Penne, but don’t bother looking it’s clearly playing a cruel game of hide and seek.”

Madden chuckled and scanned the rows for a moment and then plucked a blue box from the pasta treasures.

“There you go,” he said, holding out the box.

She tried to grab it but he held it slightly above her reach.

“Cute!” She huffed, jumping to grab the box.

“Oh you think I’m cute? I wasn’t going to say anything, but you are pretty dang cute yourself,” he said, handing her the box.

They looked at one another and smiled for just a moment. There was an undeniable chemistry there between them.

“Wish I could stay and chat, but I have so much stuff to get for a dinner party tonight,” Poppi said, snapping herself back into reality.

“Well Lisa, it was a pleasure meeting you in aisle 9. Maybe we will cross paths again in produce,” Madden teased.

He repeated her name quietly, like he was making sure he remembered.

“Lisa,” he whispered.

She pushed her cart toward the next aisle, but after a few seconds she looked back. She wondered if she should give him her phone number, but then pushed that thought away. Besides, if he wanted her number, he would have asked for it. And she would need to give him her real name!

He was still there.

And he was looking too.

Neither of them waved.

Neither of them went back.

They just shared one last smile before turning the corner, both wondering why they hadn’t asked for a number or exchanged socials.