CEO Crashed Into A Poor Dad’s Shopping Cart, Never Guessing She Would Tumble Into Love With Him
The Collision and the Taco Truck
Daphne Carris was already fifteen minutes late for her board meeting when her Mercedes clipped the corner of a shopping cart. It sent the cart and a bag of rice flying across the Hallmark parking lot.
“Are you serious right now?” a deep male voice barked. Daphne hit the brakes, her heart slamming in her chest as she threw the car into park.
She scrambled out in her Louboutin heels, hair still perfectly blown out. Her navy blue blazer was crisp despite the chaos she had just caused.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t see—” She stopped when she saw the man kneeling beside a small boy. He was clutching a box of cereal to his chest like it was gold.
The man looked up at her, his eyes sharp and furious. He had dark messy hair, a slight scruff on his jaw, and a t-shirt that had clearly seen better days.
“You didn’t see a giant metal cart in the middle of the lane?” “I was distracted. I—”
She glanced at the kid, who was watching her with wide brown eyes. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine. Just scared.” The man stood up, towering over her.
“You could have really hurt someone.” Daphne swallowed hard.
She wasn’t used to being spoken to like that. This was especially true coming from a man who clearly didn’t know who she was.
“Look, I’m sorry. I’ll pay for the groceries. Whatever you need.” The man crossed his arms.
“I don’t need your money.” “Then what do you want?” she asked.
She was already half panicking about the meeting she was missing. “To finish shopping without being run over.”
Daphne blinked, then looked at the chaos she’d caused. Bags were tipped over and boxes were on the asphalt.
A crushed apple rolled toward the gutter. She let out a breath and crouched down to help gather the items.
“Let me at least help you pick this up.” The man didn’t respond, but the kid stepped forward and handed her a box of crackers.
“These are my favorite.” Daphne smiled at him.
“Mine too.” The man watched her carefully.
“His name’s Milo.” “Milo,” she repeated.
“That’s a great name. I’m Daphne.” The kid grinned.
“Like the Scooby-Doo girl.” “Exactly.”
The man finally cracked a small breath that could have been a laugh or maybe just disbelief. “Graham Kalen,” he said.
“And thanks for the help, I guess.” She stood up.
“Graham, got it. CEO name,” he muttered. Daphne froze.
“What?” “Nothing.”
He shook his head and looked at Milo. “Come on buddy. Let’s get this done.”
But Daphne wasn’t ready to walk away. Something about the man and the kid made her pause.
The way her heart had stuttered when she saw the panic in his eyes made her hesitate. “Let me buy you lunch. It’s the least I can do.”
He blinked. “You just hit my cart and now you’re asking me to lunch?”
“Not like that. Just as an apology and a thank you for not screaming at me in front of your son.”
Milo tugged at his dad’s hand. “Can we go, Dad? I’m hungry.”
Graham looked down at him, then back at her. “Fine, but only because he’s hungry.”
They ended up at a taco truck parked behind the store. They sat on plastic stools under a string of lights.
Milo devoured a quesadilla while Daphne picked at a taco she didn’t really want. “So,” Graham said, watching her carefully.
“You always drive like that or just when you’re late for something important?” She gave him a look.
“I had a board meeting and, yes, I was late. Clearly still am.”
“Board meeting?” he repeated. “You a lawyer or something?”
“CEO,” she said, not bothering to soften it. He raised a brow.
“Of what?” “Caris Tech,” she said.
He let out a low whistle. “You’re that Caris. Apparently.”
“Wow,” he muttered. “And here I thought you were just another suit in a fancy car.”
“I am in a fancy car, but I’m not just another suit.” He leaned back, arms crossed.
“Still doesn’t explain why you’re out here running into carts.” She smiled despite herself.
“I needed groceries. I don’t exactly have time to cook, but I try.”
Milo wiped his hands on his shirt. “She’s nice, Dad. Can she come with us next time?”
Daphne laughed. “I don’t think your dad wants me crashing into anything else.”
Graham didn’t smile, but he wasn’t scowling anymore either. “We’ll see.”
They finished eating and she walked them to their beat-up sedan. As Milo climbed into the back seat, she hesitated.
“Look,” she said, fishing a card from her purse. “If you ever need anything…”
“I said I don’t want your money.” “It’s not about money,” she said.
“Just… I don’t know. You seem like a good dad.”
He stared at her card, then back at her. “I don’t take handouts.”
“It’s not a handout. It’s a phone number.”
“I don’t even have a smartphone.” She blinked.
“Seriously?” “Seriously.”
Daphne didn’t know what surprised her more: that someone existed without a smartphone, or that she cared.
“Okay then. Maybe I’ll see you around.” “Maybe.”
She turned to leave, heels clicking against the pavement. “Thanks for lunch,” he called out.
She paused and looked over her shoulder. “Anytime.”
She didn’t know why she meant it, but she did. The next day she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
Or the way Milo had smiled at her like she was already part of their little world. Or how Graham looked at her.
He didn’t see her as some powerful CEO, but as just human. She didn’t see him again for a week.
Then, as she pushed her cart through the produce aisle at the same Hallmark, she heard a voice. “Don’t tell me you’re following me now.”
