Taylor wasn’t in the mood of shopping for groceries. She had to anyways; Emma was eating everything in the house. “Em, I don’t think that I have enough money for all of that.” Taylor said into the phone. “Fine, take off the stuff we don’t need.” Taylor looked at the list. “Ok, so the chips are off the list.” Taylor heard her best friend and roommate whine. “NO! Take off your healthy food!” Taylor shook her head. “I’ll figure it out Emma; I’ll see you at home.” She hung up the phone before Emma could protest. She scanned the aisle for things she needed to get. She began to push the cart into the junk food aisle. As she walked towards there she nearly ran into a little girl. They both stopped and looked at each other. The little girl looked to be about 3-years-old. Taylor moved towards the little girl, seeing as no one was watching her. “Hi there.” She said smiling. The little girl with the big brown curls smiled back. “Where’s your mommy or daddy?” The little girl looked around. “I run away from daddy!” She said cheerfully. Taylor giggled and knelt down to her level. “Well he might be looking for you. Can I help you find him?” The little girl held out her hand. Taylor hesitated but took it anyways. “What’s your name sweetie?” Taylor asked as they began to walk around trying to find her dad. “Stella Jonas.” She said. Taylor nodded. “I love your name Stella.” She looked up and smiled. Taylor and Stella turned the corner when a frantic looking man reached them; he looked at Taylor, then at Stella, then back at Taylor.
—————————-
Joe pushed the cart and grabbed a gallon of milk. He turned around to make sure that both little girls were still following him. “Addison, Stella, keep up.” He told them. His youngest daughter held out a box of cookies and looked at him. “No honey, we can’t get that today.” The little girl pouted her lips and put the box back. “Daddy, what are we having for dinner?” Addison asked. The little 8-year-old was growing too fast for Joe. He looked at her; she looked exactly like her mother. On the other hand, everyone says that Stella looks like him. “I don’t know yet honey.” Joe always thought of how he would have to go through her teenage years alone, how she won’t have a mom for those years. Joe had done it on his own now for 8 years with two girls, who both turned out very girly. Thank God his sister was there for them. He turned around a second time and realized something was missing. He looked at Addison, who was walking right beside him. “Addie, where’s Stella?” Addison turned in a complete circle and her eyes widened. Joe began to call out her name. No response. “Addison, we have to find her. What if someone took her?” Joe left the cart and began to run around the store, Addison running after him. He searched the aisles and grew more frantic. “Stella!” He was yelling. People were staring at the pair. Joe turned the corner and stopped. He looked at the blond woman holding his daughter’s little hand, then at his daughter, then back at the woman. “Stella!” He sighed and took his daughter up in his arms. “Oh thank God you’re alright. Why did you leave?” Stella’s big brown eyes looked into her dad’s. Joe couldn’t be mad at her. “You didn’t by me cookies.” Stella replied. The blond woman turned around and grabbed the closest box of cookies and held them up. “Do want these Stella?” Joe looked at the woman; it didn’t surprise him that she knew his daughter’s name. “Yes yes!” Stella said squirming out of Joe’s grip and running towards the woman. She handed the box to Stella. Joe looked back up at her. “I’m sorry, but you are?” The girl smiled. “I’m Taylor. Stella had run into me and I was helping her find you.” Joe shook hands with her. “I’m Joe Jonas. Thank you.” He didn’t know what else to say. The Taylor girl looked to be about his age. She had the bluest eyes he had ever seen and her smile was captivating. “No problem. It was nice meeting you.” Taylor turned to leave but Stella chased after her. “NO!” She said, pulling on Taylor’s arm. Joe tried to pull her off but she wasn’t going to let go. “Stella, she has to go.” Joe was embarrassed, he was never embarrassed with his kids but around this girl he was. “I’m so sorry.” Joe said knowing that she probably really wanted to leave. Instead she knelt down to Stella and smiled. “I have to go home ok. I have my roommate I have to feed and my kitty.” Taylor said. “I go with you.” Stella replied with her narrow vocabulary. “How about this, you guys can come over for dinner.” She paused and looked up at Joe. Joe was shocked; an invite to dinner at someone they didn’t know? Joe thought she was a nice girl, but he didn’t know. “Daddy please!” Stella begged. Joe looked at Addison who shrugged her shoulders. “I guess…” Taylor stood up. “Here we can exchange numbers and you guys can come by. I know it’s weird only have meeting you minutes ago, but what can I say, me and my roommate are new to this town and it’d be nice to know some people here.” Joe gave her his number and nodded. “Sounds like a plan.” He said. Taylor nodded too, she gave Stella a little wave and walked away, leaving Joe stunned.