ina stared up at the two-story brick home and sighed. Butterflies erupted within her stomach as she continued to stare at her childhood home. She stared around the quiet neighborhood and noticed that nothing had changed in the years she had been gone.

The neighborhood lawns were mowed to precision and the elderly still sat outside on their porches being nosy. But their heart was always in the right place.

Nina wiped at the sweat against her forehead and hurried towards the shaded porch with her yellow luggage. She lifted her hand to the wooden door and hesitated until she heard a dog bark come inside the house.

Her presence was now known.

She couldn't believe she was back home with no job and she was now a recent divorcee.

Nina knocked on the door and wiped her sweaty palms against her skinny jeans. She sucked in a breath of air when the door cracked open.

"Nina, baby, is that you?" an older woman's voice asked.

The small black dog with big brown eyes barked at her until Nina leaned down and placed her hands in front of the dog to sniff. The dog smelled her hand for a few seconds before it licked her hand and she petted his head.

Her Grandma laughed and mentioned that the dog's name was Roman and he was a weenie dog.

Nina smiled. "Hey, Grandma."

Her Grandmother's hair had grayed and was in a short bob since the last time she had seen her. She had lost a lot of weight and she no longer looked like her usual self except for her bright smile that always lit up a room.

Nina yelped when her grandma swooped her into a big hug. Nina hadn't had a hug from her in years and she had to admit that she missed it so much.

"Come on in," Grandma said. "I can't believe you're here."

Me either.

Nina stepped inside the home and it still looked the same. Plants were in almost every corner of the medium-sized living room. Pictures of her and her twin sister hung up against the wall. A pang when through her hear as she saw how happy they looked at such a young age.

"I haven't seen your sister in a long time too," Grandma said, wiping at her eyes.

Guilt twisted inside her stomach.

"She'll come around," Nina said.

Liar!

Nina set down with her Grandma on the tan couch.

"I missed you so much," Grandma said. "I can't believe you're finally home."

Nina wanted to tell her the real reason why she was back but couldn't. It would break her Grandmother's heart. She would tell her the half-truth.

"I missed you too," she said.

Nina glanced at her Grandmother who had looked away from her and saw her luggage still by the front door. Her Grandmother frowned and stared back at Nina with a quizzical brow.

Nina cleared her throat. "I...I left Nick."

Grandma pursed her lips. "I told you he was no good. Always gang banging and selling drugs."

Nina had to agree with her now but when she was younger she didn't listen to her grandmother. She thought she knew everything.

Oh, how wrong she was.

"We are finally divorced," she said, with a sigh.

"Good, I'm happy you came back to me. Your mother asked about you," she said.

Nina rolled her eyes. "Let me guess. She asked you to ask me if I could loan her some more money."

Grandma nodded. "But she loves you. She's still struggling."

"I've been hearing that for years. I don't believe it anymore," she said, grabbing her Grandmother's hand.

"I want you two to reconcile before I die," she said, wiping at her eyes.

"Don't say that," she said, grabbing her hand tighter. "You'll live forever."

Grandma laughed. "You silly girl. Have you eaten yet?"

"No, and I'm starving," she said, rubbing her tummy.

Nina helped Grandma to stand up. "I guess I have to cook your favorite."

Nina's eyes widened. "Smothered pork chops and gravy."

"Yes, but I don't have the pork chops."

"I can get them at the store," she said. She remembered that Walmart was still close by.

"Good. Let me give you a list," she said, writing down on a notepad that was on the counter.

Nina didn't mind shopping for her Grandma since she would be doing all the cooking anyway. Nina grabbed the piece of paper once her Grandma was done. She glanced over the list and noticed that there weren't that many items she had to get.

"Take my car," Grandma said, handing her the keys.

Nina grabbed the keys and told her she would be back as soon as possible. Her stomach was growling and she could almost taste the mouth-watering pork-chops.

Nina glanced at her Grandmothers car. It was a red Cadillac Coup Deville. Her grandmother loved Cadillac's and she remembered that was the only car she liked to drive when Nina was younger. It brought a smile to her face at the memories of her, her sister Naomi, and her Grandma singing in the car on the way to church or school.

Nina walked into the Walmart and let the cold air cool her off. She hitched her red purse over her shoulder and went to get some feminine products for herself. She had some money she had saved up over the years of being with her ex-husband Nick.

Just thinking about him cause a shiver to run up her spine. She continued to search for her favorite body wash and tried to get her ex out of her mind. Nina moved on the get toothbrush and toothpaste and floss.

She continued shopping for her personal needs when she heard a small cry. For some odd reason, this Walmart had hygiene needs across from the kid's toy section. Nina followed the cry until she stumbled upon a little black girl crying.

Nina stopped in her tracks along with the basket that held her personal items. No one else was around and Nina's heart broke when she saw the little girl hugging her knees to her chest, almost hyperventilating.

The little girl couldn't be any older than six.

Nina walked up to her and slowly bent down.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

The little girl with pigtails winced and scooted away from her. Nina still couldn't see her face but the girl was still crying due to her sniffling.

"It's okay," Nina said. "I won't hurt you."

Nina gently smiled when the girl lifted her head and looked at her with sepia eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

"You promise," the little girl said, wiping at her wet cheeks.

"I promise. Why are you crying?" Nina asked.

"I can't find my daddy," she said, whimpering.

"I'll help you find him. Hold my hand," she said, holding her hand out. "What's your name?"

The girl was hesitant but grabbed her hand. "I'm Nadia."

"That's a pretty name," she said, earning a toothy grin from Nadia.

"What's your daddy's name?" she asked. She needed it so security would know and call his name over the intercom.

"His name is Tristan."

"Okay, let's go find your daddy."

Nina was about to walk away from the toy aisle, with Nadia in tow, when a strong arm gripped her forearm. Nina stared wide-eyed at the man's cold light brown eyes.

"Who the hell are you?" he asked. "Where are you taking me, daughter?"

Nina frowned. "I'm not-"

"Save it. I'm calling the police and filing a report," he said, grabbing her arm tighter and dragging her out of the aisle.

"Hey, asshole let me go," Nina shouted, earning looks in their direction.

They continued to stare at one another. Nina couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. He was black with dark smooth skin. Nina couldn't see a blemish in sight and she liked how his goatee wrapped around kissable lips.

His cold light brown eyes never left hers. "Tell me why I should."

***

Hey, guys. So, if you didn't read the author's note, I just wanted to reiterate that this story is the revamped story for Nina's Second Chance at Romance. I hope you will like this different version as well. What did you think of Nina so far? What do you think of her first encounter with Tristan? Let me know what you think in the comments below. If you enjoy this chapter don't forget to comment, vote, and share. Thanks, for reading :).