Tangled Roots

Chapter One: Crossing Paths

Third-Person POV

The aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg filled Jinae Lyn's modest one-bedroom apartment, the warmth of the oven wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. As she moved through the small space, her favorite playlists from H.E.R. and Rod Wave drifted softly through the air. She was experimenting with a new recipe, a blend of Southern comfort and modern flair, hoping to capture the essence of her Mississippi roots while adding her unique twist.

"Alright, Jinae, focus," she muttered to herself, glancing at her phone. She'd set up her food blog on Instagram to share her culinary adventures, collaborating with local businesses like Trader Joe's to create mouthwatering content. It wasn't easy, especially while juggling her studies in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at Princeton, but the scholarship she'd earned made it all possible. Her father's sacrifices fueled her ambition, pushing her to succeed even when the weight of the world felt heavy.

With a quick swipe, she pulled up her grocery list, a necessary checklist for her upcoming collaboration. "Lemons, basil, chicken..." She read through her notes, her mind racing with ideas for the perfect video. Jinae loved cooking—each dish was a canvas, a way to express herself.

After finishing her latest creation, she grabbed her tote bag and headed out, her mind still swirling with thoughts of flavor combinations and camera angles. The Towers were just a short bus ride away from the local Target, where she knew she could find everything she needed for her shoot.

Inside Target, she navigated the bustling aisles, her focus locked on her list. She picked up a jar of honey, contemplating how it would complement her dish, when suddenly, a small figure darted in front of her.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, stepping back just in time to avoid a collision. She looked down to find a little girl, no more than three years old, with big, curious eyes and a tangled mess of curls.

"Watch where you're going!" the girl said, her tiny hands on her hips, embodying an unexpected sass.

Jinae couldn't help but smile. "Sorry about that! I didn't see you there. What's your name?"

The girl crossed her arms. "I'm Kaiari!"

Before Jinae could respond, a tall figure came rushing toward them, his strides purposeful. David "East" Brewster was a man who commanded attention without trying. Dressed in a fitted black hoodie and jeans, his presence was magnetic, yet there was a cool detachment in his demeanor. He looked down at Kaiari, his expression shifting from concern to curiosity as he realized she was chatting with a stranger.

"Kaiari!" he called, his voice a low rumble that drew Jinae's gaze. "What are you doing?"

"Talking!" she replied, bouncing on her toes. "I made a new friend!"

East's brows knitted together, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Kaiari was notoriously shy, rarely engaging with anyone outside her family.

"Are you... um, Kaiari's babysitter?" Jinae asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

East chuckled softly, the sound low and unexpected. "No, I'm her father. Just trying to keep up with her."

Jinae chuckled softly. "She's got spunk, I'll give her that."

East looked down at his daughter, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, she definitely got that from me. I'm East," he said, extending a hand.

"Jinae," she replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, the kind that demanded respect without saying a word.

"Jinae, huh?" he said, the name rolling off his tongue. "You from around here?"

"Nah, I'm originally from Mississippi," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. I am only here for one more year oficially to finish princeton.

East raised an eyebrow. "Princeton, huh? Ain't that somethin'." He glanced over at his daughter, who was now examining a toy, and then back at Jinae. "You must be smart. Ain't easy to get in there."

Jinae smiled, a little proud. "I work hard for it. Scholarship helped too, though and now my little food blog."

He nodded, the respect in his eyes softening. "I feel that. Ain't nothing like a good hustle. But how does a food blog help tho ma?"

"I love to cook so I have a seperate page from my personal instagram which is @jinaeeats where I post my food content when I cook and brands woud reach out to me and pay me to try their recipes and seasoning. Right now Iam shopping for my biggest collab right now  with Trader Joe's," she explained, her excitement bubbling to the surface. "I'm trying to create a new recipe video with a new brand of season they have in store."

"Damn ma you doing your thing, do you have a lot of followers?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"Getting there," she admitted with a grin. "I'm just starting out."

East nodded, a contemplative look on his face. "You should have more. It sounds like a good hustle. , imma follow you right now" East did that right on spot and Jinae thanked him.

For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them, both of them caught in the unexpected connection. But then East shifted his stance, his tone turning slightly more direct. "Can I get your number? Maybe we could chat more about it sometime."

Jinae hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze. "I... um, I don't think that's a good idea," she stammered, surprised at her own response.

East's expression shifted, a flicker of confusion crossing his features. No one had ever turned him down before—not with that look in their eyes. "You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure," she replied, offering a polite smile to soften the rejection. "But it was nice to meet you both."

His lips pressed together, a hint of surprise still lingering as she turned to walk away. Jinae felt a strange mix of emotions—curiosity, intrigue, and a flicker of fear. As she moved down the aisle, she couldn't shake the feeling that their paths had crossed for a reason, and she had a sinking suspicion that this encounter was just the beginning.