Brewing in Love

Chapter 1 Chance Joshua Mitchell

“One of these days, God is going to slap you with a love so unforgettable that you’ll have no choice but to surrender to it. I’m living for that day.”

I shake my head and continue to brush my teeth as Ma rambles about something else I’m not interested in hearing for the umpteenth time.

Ma and I aren’t on the same page with that forever shit.

While I love the fact that she and Pops have been married all my life, their marriage isn’t a blueprint for me being with someone for the rest of my life.

Till death do us part with the right person sounds like God’s best. But till death do us part with the wrong person sounds like a prison.

I ain’t beat for that type of energy or misery, so I’ll pass on marriage altogether.

“Are you listening to me, Chance?” Ma yells, which forces me to return to this pointless conversation.

Trina Mitchell is a great woman and mother.

She’s also Pops’ backbone and the person who ensures he can move about our fair city with ease.

Ma is a stay-at-home wife who takes care of her family’s needs, sometimes to a fault.

She often neglects herself to ensure nothing about her husband is overlooked.

It’s another reason I don’t want to get married.

I don’t want a woman who neglects herself while making sure I have whatever I want, need, or desire.

I love Ma, but the things she does for Pops are unattractive.

“Chance!”

“My bad, Ma.”

“Lord, have mercy. I know you’re getting ready for work, so I’m going to let you go. Give me a call when you can. I love you.”

“For sure. Love you more, Ma.”

Once the call disconnects, I realize my window of time to leave is getting smaller, so I quickly finish my routine and walk out of the bathroom.

Time isn’t my friend, and I need to make my usual pit stop before I head to my office.

Thankfully, I already ironed my clothes before I hit the shower, so I hurried to get dressed before leaving my bedroom altogether.

Within thirty minutes, I leave my apartment and take the elevator.

“You’re looking mighty delicious this morning, Chance.” My neighbor Sabrina smiles.

I fight the frown the lust in her eyes induces because no matter how many times I try to tell this woman I’m not interested, she still tries to throw her panties at me.

Of all the cities in Ohio, why did this woman have to land in Kaigood with me? Then living in the same apartment building makes me want to break my lease and find a new place to lay my head.

“When are you going to let me take you for a ride?” Sabrina licks her lips, and my stomach flips from the thirst in her inquiry.

“On this side of never. Be easy.” When the elevator reaches the lobby, I step off without a backward glance.

At thirty-five, I have had my share of thirsty women, and never have I been a man to react to the advances of a woman who removes my ability to chase.

Sabrina is a beautiful woman, but she uses her outward beauty as a weapon.

It’s a major turnoff for me. My thoughts become a beacon for my journey to my favorite place.

It takes me no time to reach my destination, find a parking spot, and enter the doors of Sips of D’Essence.

“Good morning. Welcome to D’Essence.” That voice is what makes this coffee shop special.

Starbucks ain’t got nothing on the woman who makes my favorite coffee with a side of essence that I can’t obtain within the sips of my caramel Frappuccino.

With the slow gait of a panther, I make my way to the front counter, and my breaths increase as I take in the barista.

Sadia is what dreams and blue balls are built on.

From her voluptuous figure to her warm, caramel skin, almond-shaped eyes that sit behind wide-framed glasses, to her full, thick lips, this woman is my reason for this coffee shop being part of my daily routine.

My dick stands and gives a salute when my eyes rake over the red and white dress hugging every curve on Sadia’s body.

“That’ll be five dollars and eighty-five cents,” Sadia tells the woman at the counter.

Time stands still, and my chest tightens to painful degrees when Sadia’s smile radiates as the room becomes brighter.

It takes me a minute to come out of the momentary trance until I hear giggles.

The woman at the counter that Sadia had been assisting grins as she walks away, and my gaze returns to a patiently waiting Sadia.

“Good morning, Chance.”

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Ha-lle-lu-jah!

A song of praise echoes in my mind as Sadia greets me with a smile, and I return it.

It is now!

I ignore my conscience and return the pleasantry. “Good morning, Sadia. How are you today?”

“Tired. But I won’t complain. Your usual?”

My brows furrow, and my forehead wrinkles as I attempt to read the unspoken words from Sadia.

“Yes, please.”

“Coming right up.” Sadia grabs a cup and proceeds to make the sweet treat I have to use as a replacement for what I’ve visualized her lips would be.

My eyes follow Sadia everywhere as she makes my drink and hums to whatever song plays around the room. In far too short of time, Sadia returns to the counter and extends the cup of joe to me. My pulse races the instant our fingers graze as our eyes connect for seconds.

“Um, . . . that’ll be . . .” Sadia breaks our eye contact to ring up my order, and I pull out my wallet and pass over a twenty before she can give me my total.

“Keep the change, and have a great day, Sadia.” I wink and turn for the exit, desperate for air to snap me out of whatever just happened.

The second I’m back inside my vehicle, I’m able to breathe more clearly as I take the first sip of my drink.

“Mm. Damn, Sadia.” I shake my head and pull out of my spot so I can make it to work on time.

I’m a parole officer and genuinely love what I do.

I love doing my part to rehabilitate the individuals who realize the error of their ways.

Not every person who ends up in jail wants to be there.

I also recognize that not every person given an opportunity to regain their freedom intends to change.

But the men and women on my current roster seem to want to do the right things.

I enjoy assisting the newly released citizens of Kaigood, Ohio, in returning to civilian life without a hitch.

I love my hometown that’s the perfect blend of small-town city living and black excellence.

Kaigood also has a black mayor, police and fire chief, and some politicians which allows our youth to see themselves as anything they want to be in this life.

Kaigood is an hour and fifteen minutes from Columbus and thirty minutes from Ribax, which sometimes become mini getaway places for me due to their close proximity and short travel time.

My phone rings around the interior, and a frown forms upon seeing the caller.

“What’s up, bro?” I say once the call connects.

“Don’t be sounding all dry, nigga. But since you like to forget things, I’m the person assigned to keeping you on task.

I hope you don’t think we’re playing with your lying behind.

If this mystery woman of yours isn’t with you, you will be on a return flight home,” my best friend, Morris, says deadpan.

A sigh escapes me because this has been the ongoing conversation for the last few months, and it’s exhausting.

Every year, my friend circle goes on a couple’s trip, and I have been sliding in without a mate.

However, this year, my friends call themselves putting their feet down.

They have demanded that I either show up with my woman in tow or not at all.

The problem with such a command is that I’m as single as a dollar bill.

I have avoided the topic for the last month, but now it’s two weeks until we depart, and nothing on my end has changed.

But my friends are adamant about not letting me join them.

Under pressure, I lied and said I’m dating someone who can’t wait to join me for the trip.

The thing about lies is that once told, more have to be told to keep it going.

I have no idea what I’m about to do to solve this problem.

Plans have been made, deposits have been paid, a room has been secured, and a car rental has been arranged.

But the woman to accompany me is only known to God.

Another dilemma is when Morris told me what had to happen for me to go on the trip, my mind instantly went to Sadia. Why? Again, only God knows, because I don’t know that woman beyond my admiration for her personality, body type, and ability to make a caffeinated beverage.

“Man, why are you breathing so heavy?” Morris’s question shifts my mind back to the conversation at hand.

Man, I stepped into a pool that’s about to drown me. That’s why.

“Ain’t nobody breathing like that. You also don’t have to keep calling me with the same thing. I know what I have to do.” I grumble.

“Good. I can’t wait to meet the woman who got you to lower your guard. The last time you introduced us to a woman, she offered to put us in a circle so she could perfect her dick sucking skills.”

“Don’t remind me. Damn, good women are hard to come by.” I shake my head at the thought of my ex jump-off, Sonequa.

She’s the reason my friends have placed me in this predicament to begin with.

I made the mistake of taking Sonequa on one of our trips two years ago, and after getting drunk, she lost her marbles.

I have been trying to fly solo on these trips since then, just because of the scars she left behind.

Sonequa and I were never more than fuck buddies, but she embarrassed the hell out of me.

“What’s this one’s name? You ain’t told us nothing about her.”

“On purpose. Y’all ain’t about to judge her prematurely. You’ll meet her firsthand, and we can go from there.”

Not to mention, I have to figure out who I can get to come with me. Never in my life has this been my life. What the hell am I about to do?

“Oh, I see you have this one a little more protected. That’s good. We’ll have plenty of time to interrogate her. I’m gone.” Morris disconnects the call before I have a chance to respond.

My conversation with Morris replays in the back of my mind all day, to the point of frustration, as I try to figure out who can accompany me.

I need a woman who can hold her own around my friends.

One who is not only beautiful but also has enough substance to keep my friends off my back and me interested in the alone time we’ll have to spend together.

I also need a woman who won’t bore me to tears and can offer a meaningful connection that doesn’t look forced. A woman who . . .

Sadia.

My mind echoes the name like a megaphone and halts my thoughts like a train that crosses an intersection with steady flowing traffic.

“Okay. Maybe I’ll go by and ask her. What’s the worst that can happen?”

She will turn you down, and then you’re back at square one.

That thought has a tingle of apprehension in the pit of my stomach.

But I shake it off and talk myself into going for it anyway.

Sadia and I are at least acquainted, so it wouldn’t be uncomfortable.

I also believe she has the potential to fulfill what I need to pull this thing off.

I have also covered all expenses, so she wouldn’t have to do anything but take a free trip.

It’s easy and not financially burdensome for her, given the late offer.

Now, I just have to return to Sips of D’Essence after work and pray she agrees to my invitation.