1 Chapter 1

A light layer of flurries fell from the sky, a drifting blanket settling over the frigid streets of Seattle as a strong gust whipped through. The atmosphere inside the local Whole Foods was drastically different from outside and Brynn Norseman relished its serenity. However, the store wasn’t truly Whole Foods. She forgot what it was called not long after signing up for the tiny co-op. But she did remember that the long, obnoxious alliteration that was its name exuded a hipster establishment vibe. She didn’t expect less from uptown Seattle. Brynn didn’t get stuck on the name; they carried her favorite brand of chai tea and their almond scones were to die for. Plus, conveniently, the store stayed open until the wee hours of the night, fitting well with a nurse’s odd hours.

Perusing the deserted aisles at half past midnight left Brynn with a soft smile on her lips. It wasn’t as though she didn’t like people, but her job forced her to be around others for twelve hours at a time. Once she clocked out for the day, the little bit of solitude was irreplaceable. She was able to secure a cart without a wobbly wheel, the local indie band playing overhead was distinguishable, and there were no screaming children present. The aromas of patchouli oil, raw ginger, and the musk of sweat surrounded her and she surrendered to her after work bliss.

Standing in front of the shelves of dry pasta, Brynn read the labels, attempting to choose one. It didn’t matter which she chose, as she was simply cooking for herself, but her indecision had her debating between vegetable or whole wheat. There were too many options, at least a dozen different brands and flavors. “It’s pasta. Why are there so many choices?” Brynn grumbled out loud to the empty aisle. Or, at least she had thought it was empty. Someone chuckled to the right of her and she whipped her head around. The owner of the voice was tall and dressed in an expensive looking suit, her jet-black hair neatly trimmed in a pixie cut. The deep gray material of the suit fit her way too well to be off the shelf and the cufflinks glimmered like real diamonds.

Brynn’s cheeks turned a shade lighter than the crimson of her hair. “Sorry,” she muttered, thanking her verbal resolve for holding back, because expletives usually fluttered from her mouth on their own accord. She turned back to the shelf and threw a random box of pasta in her cart before moving out of the woman’s way.

“You know, they really do offer too many options. How do I know whether I want quinoa-based rotini or—” Brynn turned as the woman picked up a box with long fingers, “—spinach and artichoke bow tie?”

She smiled, the fire in her cheeks subsiding at the other woman’s comment and she looked down to see which one she’d grabbed. “I chose fire roasted red pepper linguini.”

The other woman nodded. “That sounds good. Now, where am I going to find it?” she mused, scanning the various boxes of pasta.

Brynn joined her, finding said pasta, and grabbing a box. “Here it is,” she said, handing the brightly colored box to her.

She smiled, her fingers brushing the back of Brynn’s hand as the woman took it from her, the contact eliciting a pleasant sensation on Brynn’s hand. “Thanks.” She was closer, and Brynn noticed her eyes were a deep cerulean with flecks of green and they contrasted heavily against her olive cheeks.

“You’re welcome. Have a nice night and stay warm. It’s really starting to come down out there,” Brynn said before turning back to her cart and pushing it down the aisle. She thought of how rumpled her scrubs looked. Of course, it had to be Brynn’s almost threadbare, hadn’t-seen-the-light-of-day-in-months scrubs because the next day was laundry day. And, they were brown. Who looks good in brown scrubs after a twelve-hour shirt?

“Any tips on the sauce?” The woman called out before Brynn rounded the corner. Reluctantly, she pushed her cart back to the spot where she previously stood. Her eyes sized up the shelves of sauce and she plucked the jar she usually got, a bland marinara, and handed it to the stranger. “Thank you, again. This is perfect,” she surmised, looking at the jar before her eyes flickered to Brynn’s.

Wow,Brynn thought as she held out her hand against her better judgment and nervousness. “Brynn,” she offered. She didn’t make a habit out of introducing herself to random strangers in the store in the middle of the night, but she didn’t typically meet such alluring, attractive women in such circumstances, either.

The woman took it with a smile. “Nikki.” Her shake was firm but gentle. The two women stood staring at each other for what felt to Brynn like ten minutes but was more like thirty seconds before Nikki released her hand from Brynn’s. Brynn giggled awkwardly and grabbed a jar of the same sauce she gave Nikki and tossed it into her cart. Nikki’s lips curled into a crooked smile. “Thanks again,” she mused before turning to walk down the aisle in the opposite direction. Brynn couldn’t help but note the attractive roundness of Nikki’s backside before she disappeared around the corner.