Chapter 7: A New Approach
Roxie didn't give up on Jerry. Instead, she changed her strategy. She started showing up at his favorite coffee shop, sitting in the corner, and reading a book. No approach, no conversation, just a gentle presence.
At first, Jerry was oblivious, too caught up in his own world. But as the days went by, he began to notice her. The way she smiled to herself, the way her hair fell in soft waves down her back.
One day, as he waited in line, Roxie looked up and caught his eye. She didn't smile or wave, just held his gaze for a moment before returning to her book.
Jerry felt a jolt, a spark of connection he couldn't ignore. He ordered his coffee and sat down at a nearby table, trying to focus on his laptop screen.
But his eyes kept drifting back to Roxie, her calm and peaceful energy a balm to his frazzled nerves.
As the days turned into weeks, Jerry found himself looking forward to these chance encounters. He started to wonder what she was reading, what made her smile to herself.
Roxie's new approach was working. She was slipping under Jerry's defenses, quietly and gently.
Roxie continued to show up at the coffee shop, her presence a constant in Jerry's chaotic life. She never approached him, never tried to strike up a conversation. She just sat, read, and existed.
Jerry found himself growing more and more curious about her. What was she reading? What made her tick? Why was she so determined to be near him?
As the weeks turned into months, Jerry's defenses began to wear down. He started to look forward to seeing Roxie, to wondering what book she'd be reading, what dress she'd be wearing.
One day, as he waited in line, Roxie looked up and caught his eye. This time, she smiled, just a small, gentle smile. Jerry's heart skipped a beat.
He ordered his coffee and sat down at his usual table, trying to focus on his work. But his eyes kept drifting back to Roxie, her smile etched in his mind.
For the first time, Jerry wondered if maybe, just maybe, he'd been wrong about Roxie. Maybe she wasn't trying to fix him or change him. Maybe she just wanted to be near him.