Jessica's POV

If you had told me six months ago that I would be moving hours away from my family to start my life over, all while opening up a new branch of my boutique, I probably would have laughed in your face.

Yet here I am.

Looking at the empty store front that will end up being the newest location of Moonlight Boutique here in Stockton, California. 

When I opened my first store in Santa Barbara with my best friend, it took off quicker than either of us had expected. So, when my she had suggested that I take my heartbreak and turn it into something positive, the idea to open up a second location further away from the first had all of my attention. 

I spent weeks on the phone with realtors, learning about the area and what kind of market I was going into, and suddenly I was packing up my apartment to move. 

After spending a few hours at the store going over construction plans with a few different contractors, we finally set a plan in motion, agreeing to start the remodel work tomorrow.

Locking up the store behind me, I make my way over to my Jeep before searching the town of Stockton for something to eat.

Finally, I spot a small rundown diner, not too busy looking. Parking my car, I get out and make my way to the door when my body collides with another. As I brace myself for my fall, an arm wraps around my waist, stopping me from hitting the ground.

Looking up, I see a man with shoulder length hair staring back at me, a smirk adorning his face.

"You alright darlin?" he questions, helping me to stand up fully.

"I am so sorry about that; I should have been watching where I was walking" I apologize.

He lets out a small chuckle, before moving his hand off of my waist.

"I'm all about the service, I'm Jax" he states, introducing himself.

"Jessica, but mostly Jess" I respond, giving him a small smile.

Jax gives me a look, before turning around to look at the diner behind us.

"It seems like we both had the same idea. You up for a little company for dinner?" he asks.

I look between him and the diner, before looking back at him.

"Well, I was planning on taking it home and watching a movie, but I think I like your idea better" I tell him.

"Well, let's get to eating" he tells me.

The two of us make our way into the diner, spotting a booth on the other side of the restaurant.

After sitting down and ordering, Jax turns all of his attention to me.

"So, what brings you to the town of Stockton?" he asks.

"I actually just moved here. I'm opening up a boutique around the corner from here" I explain.

Jax gives me a nod, "I saw that one of the stores had sold when I drove by recently, wasn't too sure what was going to go in there though" he tells me.

I let out a small chuckle, nodding my head.

"That would be me" I tell him.

After getting our food, the two of us make idle conversation between us.

I learned that Jax, or Jackson, is a mechanic at a shop a town over, his dad had passed away when he was younger along with his brother who had died from a heart condition that he has as well, and he isn't close with his mom or stepdad. 

After spending a few hours at the diner, we finally decided it was time to leave as it neared midnight. A short argument about who was paying for the food later, Jax and I are walking out of the diner, Jax with a triumphant smirk on his face.

We stopped by my Jeep, both with smiles on our faces.

"Thank you for dinner, you really didn't have to do that though" I tell Jax, leaning against the hood of my Jeep.

"Think of it as a welcome to town" he tells me, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

The ringing of his phone stops any further conversation between the two of us.

Jax gives me an apologetic look, before taking a few steps away from me to answer his phone privately.

After a few minutes Jax hangs up his phone and walks towards me, releasing a sigh.

"I have to get going, work needs me. Would you mind letting me know when you get home safe?" Jax asks.

I give him a nod.

"I have your number now, so I'll text you when I get there" I tell him.

Jax gives me a smile, before walking over to the Harley parked a few spots down from my Jeep. He gives me one last look, before getting onto his bike and starting it up.

Getting in my Jeep, I watch as he backs out of the spot and drives down the street towards the interstate.

A short 20 minutes later, I'm pulling up to my house that I've only briefly stepped foot into.

Thankfully, I was able to purchase a house before even coming to town. All of my furniture was moved from my apartment back home and set up before I had gotten here this morning. Everything was overseen by a cousin of mine who lives close by.

Walking inside, I set my purse down on the table, before grabbing a glass of wine and sitting on the couch, making sure to send Jax a text message to let him know I had made it home okay. 

'Any chance I can see you again?' I feel a slight blush come across my cheeks at his words, a smile coming to my face. After replying to him, a picture of my best friend comes up on my screen.

"How is everything going over there?" Morgan asks, before I can even greet her.

"I'm doing oh so great, thanks for asking about me" I respond, letting out a small chuckle.

"If I ask you that, I'll start crying again, and I can't cry right now" she tells me.

"I miss you too MoMo, things are good here though. The place we got is going to look amazing once it gets finished, and everything is already off to a good start. I have a feeling I'm going to like it here" I tell her.

Morgan let's out a gasp, "don't tell me you've already met a guy" she exclaims.

"There's a small possibility" I respond.

"Do tell JJ, do tell" she responds.

I can hear the tell all sign of a cork popping in the background.

I let her get situated before I start telling her all about my night, and the blonde-haired, blue-eyed man that I just happened to run into randomly tonight.