The Chance Romance

by Karen Rose Smith

(c)copyright Karen Rose Smith

        Even the grocery store was decorated for Christmas with garlands draped above end shelves and large decorative balls hanging from the ceiling.  But Kim's mind wasn't on the decorations.  She spotted Seth at the cantaloupe counter. He was dressed in a red down jacket tonight with blue jeans, and looked sexier than any man Kim had ever seen.

         She "accidentally" bumped her cart into his. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

         Kim was nervous about the "accidental" encounter. Seth's Aunt Iris, whom Kim had met when she began volunteering at the senior center, had tried to match her nephew with the "right" woman before. Now he wanted Iris to stop meddling in his dating life. He would find his soulmate on his own, he'd told Iris. But his aunt didn't believe him. She insisted he worked too hard running his accounting firm and wouldn't take time to fall in love unless she intervened.

         So... Iris had cooked up this "chance" encounter.

         Seth assessed Kim's Green wool coat she was wearing over black leggings, then gave her a smile. "No problem. Do you know anything about choosing cantaloupes?"

         She laughed at his expression and lifted one.  Then she rapped on it with her knuckles. "This one's perfect."

         "Are you experienced at melons because you have a family to take care of?" His gaze dropped to her hand.

         "Just me. How about you? Do you cook for one?"

         "I buy fast food for one. But I've decided I'd better clean up my diet.  That's why I'm turning to cantaloupes."

         They both laughed. "Do you shop here often? I haven't seen you here before," he remarked.

         "I moved into the area recently." As soon as she'd signed up to volunteer at the Center, she'd met Iris. Since his aunt talked about Seth often and Kim had managed a glimpse of him when he'd driven his aunt to the Center, she almost felt as if she knew him!

         "Was your move job-related?"

         She nodded. "I'm the manager for that new furniture store on Eisenhower."

         His green eyes filled with amusement. "I'm impressed. You don't look old enough to be a manager."

         "It's the freckles," she teased. "They'll keep me young forever." Her red hair and freckles had always been the bane of her existence.

         He laughed again, and she could sense he was as attracted to her as she was to him. It couldn't be this easy, could it?

         "Do you really need to shop tonight?" he asked. "How would you like to get a cup of coffee?"

         "I'd love it."

         Over frothy cappuccinos at a corner coffee shop, Kim and Seth talked for two hours while Christmas carols played softly in the background. One subject flowed into the next. The desire in his eyes to get to know her better made her heart race and her stomach flip-flop. When he spoke of his parents who were gone now, Kim realized how much he missed them. He mentioned his aunt, and Kim felt guilty not telling him she already knew Iris. Since he didn't want Iris meddling, Kim was afraid if she told him, he'd walk out of the coffee bar and she'd never get the opportunity to really know him.

         When they stood by her car door, he asked simply, "Is it too soon to kiss you?"

         When she shook her head, his lips sealed to hers. As their intensity and hunger grew, she knew she could fall in love with Seth very easily.

         They decided to go to the town Christmas tree lighting on Saturday evening. The evening was perfect.  It was cold but a full moon glowed down from a velvet sky and stars twinkled everywhere. Everything about being with Seth couldn't be more perfect. And Kim knew she had to tell him tonight that their meeting had been planned. It had been too late to call Iris when she'd gotten home last night. She'd tried to phone her this morning, but Iris must have been out.

         When Seth took Kim home, she asked if he wanted to come in. With that slow smile of his, he said he'd like that and followed her inside.

         Her Christmas tree sent the aroma of pine through the small apartment.  As she led him to the kitchen, she saw the red light was blinking on her answering machine.  She pushed the button before she thought better of it. While the machine rewound, she put two mugs of water in the microwave for hot chocolate.

         Then she shored up her courage and met Seth's gaze. "There's something I need to tell you."

         Just then, Iris's voice came over the answering machine. "Kim, it's Iris. Did you made contact with Seth last night? Give me a call. An old woman needs something to think about other than her bone aches."

         Although Kim wanted to go hide, she didn't move.

         Seth asked angrily, "You and my aunt set this whole thing up?"

         "That's what I was going to tell you."

         "It was a joke?"

         "No! It wasn't a joke. Your aunt wants to see you settled. And I haven't been able to find the right man."

         "How did you two meet?" His strong jaw had a stern set to it.

         "I volunteer at the Senior Center. She and I just seemed to click."

         "I thought you and I clicked. But I didn't know you were simply the next one in line on Iris's list."

         "We did connect, Seth. We do connect. Don't you feel it? You weren't just a novel way for me to spend a Friday night. Iris has told me all about you, and I felt as if I almost knew you. I want to settle down and start a family some day, too. I hate the bar scene, and I--"

         Suddenly she gave up. He had every right to be angry and walk out her door. For a moment she thought that was exactly what was going to happen.

         But he looked at the machine and then he gazed at her. Approaching her, he stopped a few inches away. "Aunt Iris never tried to match me up with someone with freckles before."

         "Is that important?" Kim's voice was shaky, but hope sprang alive in her heart again.

         "It seems to be. I like your red hair, too. The last five women she matched me up with were blondes." He gently wrapped one of Kim's curls around his finger. "I think this time Aunt Iris might have gotten it right." He caressed her cheek. "But you have to promise to tell me if Iris hatches any more plans that concern me."

         "I promise."

         His arms went around her then, and she lifted her face for his kiss. They were the perfect match and they'd both have the most wonderful Christmas ever.