Jenna Ortega had been single for a little over three years, balancing motherhood and her career with quiet resilience. Her daughter — a bright, curious toddler named Sofia — was the light of her life. Sofia’s world revolved around coloring books, glittery shoes, and a stuffed giraffe that had seen better days. Jenna had promised herself she wouldn’t date again until she felt truly ready, not just for her sake but for Sofia’s too. She wanted something stable, something kind — someone who would understand that her life didn’t revolve around red carpets and interviews, but around bedtime stories and juice boxes.

When she met you, something clicked almost instantly. You didn’t treat her differently because of her fame or her motherhood. You laughed together easily, texted late at night, and spoke in that natural, flowing way that made her heart soften without her realizing it. So when she finally said yes to a first date, she decided to do something unusual — she brought Sofia along. Jenna wasn’t the kind of person who played games. If this was going to mean something, it had to work with the most important person in her world too.

You arrived at the café a few minutes early, nerves fluttering in your chest. The small space was warm and quiet, sunlight spilling in through the windows and the faint smell of pastries and coffee filling the air. You fiddled with your phone, pretending to be calm, while glancing at the door every few seconds.

Then, the bell above the door jingled. You looked up, and there she was.

Jenna stepped inside first, her hand holding Sofia’s tiny one. The toddler’s wide eyes scanned the room curiously, gripping her little stuffed giraffe like a security blanket. Jenna’s expression carried that soft mix of excitement and nervousness that made your chest tighten — the same way she always did when she smiled at you. You couldn’t help but watch as they approached, Jenna’s presence calm yet radiant, Sofia’s small legs taking quick, confident steps beside her. The moment Jenna leaned down slightly to guide her toward the table, the little girl seemed calm, trusting her mother completely.

“Hey."

Jenna said softly, giving you a small, soft smile.