Journal Entry: Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey

Dear Reader, 

We are on the streets of Fifth Ave NYC at the start of this story, with ex-convict Stella Schmidt. She’s staring at the Vivant Christmas themed window and she isn’t really seeing the Christmas spirit in it. On this very day she meets the most cheery and Christmas-y man ever, Aiden Cook. After a conversation about what the window should look like rather than what it is, Aiden suggests she apply for the job online as she’s barreling down the street. 

Later on, on a whim, Stella applies for the job. She comes in for an interview and is even more surprised to hear she’s been hired on a trial based period, considering she is still an ex-con. So, on her first day she gets to earn her place there. There’s lots of lingering looks and side-eye from her coworkers, but she takes it in stride. The only twist is, Aiden Cook is her boss.

Stella finds herself alone with Aiden on more than one occasion since meeting him on Fifth Ave. They talk about themselves, they’re honest, real, and kind. They bear some pieces of their soul to each other whenever they’re alone.

Aiden admits pretty early on that he’s interested in Stella, he isn’t exactly subtle. However, he doesn’t want to cross that line, being her boss, until they both sign a love contract. As they grow closer, and lines begin to blur, they both feel the strain of their “relationship”. Stella wants no pressure, casual, she just got out of prison and is still catching her footing. Aiden is ready to tell the world that he chooses her, he has no doubts about the person she is or could be. 

Things take a turn for the worse when Stella is accused of stealing diamond earrings one day in the store. Aiden comes to her defense, gets to the bottom of the issue, and finds out what really happened. He calls out the accuser for not coming to him first with the accusation and instead calling the board. Stella is there witnessing his full speech and decides right then if he can have faith in her, she can have faith in them. 

And so they sign the love contract. 

Stella still has her demons in her closet and it takes her a minute to really trust herself as well as Aiden. Once Stella proves to herself that she doesn’t need a savior, but can dig herself out of the rubble, she finds Aiden and admits the one thing she was terrified to admit: she loves him. 

-Grace Sofia