by Peyton Banks
Who told that man to be so damn sexy first thing in the morning?
He’d started out as a grouch, but she had won him over and was rewarded with his crooked grin. Her heart just about stopped at the sexy way his eyes had darkened when he’d leaned over onto the counter.
Nasia had to fan herself at the memory.
Yes, he had made her morning all the more brighter.
“Nasia Henry, get yourself together.” She laughed.
She had an employee who had called off sick, so it left her and Tarik for a while until someone else could come in. Lucky enough, the morning rush came through until about eight. At the crack of dawn, she usually saw all of the ranchers and farmers stumble in looking for their pick-me-up.
Nasia could have hugged Sara when she arrived and jumped right into the craziness. Nancy was the midday person, and she blew in like a whirlwind. With the three of them running the counter, it allowed Nasia to go work on the business side of Shady Bean Café.
Nasia had poured her blood, sweat, and tears into her shop. It opened four months ago, and so far so good. The town had accepted the little café, and there was always a steady stream of customers coming in.
Nasia was born in Shady Springs and had moved away after graduating from high school. Her father had accepted a job in Denver, forcing them to relocate. Her and Yani had been neighbors before the move and had stayed in contact with each other.
When Yani had heard Nasia was wanting to open her coffee shop, she had recommended she come back to Shady Springs. According to Yani, the town was growing, and new businesses were helping it flourish. Nasia had been reluctant at first, but once she’d come back for a visit, it felt like home.
Nasia had packed up her Denver apartment after securing a place to stay in Shady Springs. She’d moved and hadn’t looked back.
Within months, she had secured the space and began laying all of the groundwork to get her café opened.
She had a love for baking and coffee and she was so happy she was able to turn her passion into a successful business. Each day, her pastries and muffins sold out before noon came. She had compiled recipes that had been passed down to her from her grandmothers and even some she had found and tweaked.
She took pride in her homemade items on her menu.
Eyeing the computer monitor, she knew it was pointless to try to keep working. She glanced down at her watch and saw it was time for her to leave. Normally, she stayed until closing, but today she had a hair appointment.
Nasia closed the programs she had been working in.
“At least I got payroll done,” she muttered. Tomorrow she could put in her orders for supplies the café would need. Shutting down her computer, she pushed back from her desk and stretched. She snagged her jacket from the hook on the back of her door and put it on. She hefted her purse up on her shoulder and looked around her office.
The life of a small business owner was filled with nothing but the establishment. There was always something to do, something to order or fix. Nasia also had fun with coming up with a baked goods ‘item of the month.’
She had to think of what she was going to feature next month. This would call for her to pore through her endless recipes she had stored away to find the perfect item.
Later tonight, with a glass of wine, she’d figure it out.
Nasia left her office and walked through the café.
“Call me if you need anything,” she said. “Tarik, you’re in charge. I’m only down the street.”
“We won’t.” Tarik grinned.
He was an amazing kid who had recently graduated from college. He had applied to work for her since he was unable to find a job in his field of study, criminal justice. Nasia had been surprised that he hadn’t secured a decent position, but apparently most criminal justice majors ending up becoming police officers. He would be enrolling into the police academy soon.
“Just in case, I’m going—”
“Go. Get out of here.” Sara pointed to the door.
Nasia giggled at her employees. She had the best crew. They were loyal and very good at what they did.
“Okay.” Nasia held her hands up and headed toward the door. “I will see y’all tomorrow.”
“And not a minute sooner,” Tarik called out.
Nasia shook her head and exited the building. Her employees knew her too well. Briefly, she had thought of returning once Yani was done with her hair.
There was a slight nip in the air. Nasia was glad she had snagged her jacket. The shopping district her shop was located in was bustling with the afternoon traffic. The Pretty Parlor salon wasn’t far, and Nasia opted to walk. She needed the steps. She had been in the shop since four-thirty this morning, and it was wonderful to breathe in the fresh air.
There were a few clouds in the sky, but the weatherman hadn’t called for rain today, but there was no telling. This was Colorado, and the weather could be unpredictable. Most times weathermen said one thing, Mother Nature did the opposite.
She scanned the area, and her gaze landed on some of the storefronts. Lately, she had been working so much she hadn’t had any time to shop. The only things she had been purchasing were supplies for the café.
Nasia promised herself she would take some time this week to explore some of the stores. A few of them had caught her eye.
Now, she had to focus on her hair. This was one luxury she allowed herself weekly. Yani had talked her into the sassy ponytail last week. It was time to take it out. She reached up and scratched her scalp.
Arriving at the salon, she entered with a wide smile on her lips.
“Hey, Nasia,” Tiny called out from behind her chair. “Yani said to just have a seat in her chair. She’ll be here in a second.”
“Okay, thanks.” Nasia waved to her and gave nods and smiles to the other stylists in the shop. The Pretty Parlor was the only salon in the town of Shady Springs focused on ethnic hair. Nasia loved coming here. It was where she learned all of the gossip of the town.
Not that she was nosey or anything, but listening to the stylists and clients talk was the highlight of her visit.
Nasia hung her jacket up in the coat closet. She took one of the salon’s black robes, slid it on, and settled down in Yani’s seat. She took out her phone and sent off a text to let her friend know she had arrived.
“Would you like something to drink while you wait for Yani?” Tiny asked.
“No, thank you.” Nasia shook her head.
“I hear Nina Hunt will be performing in Denver,” Jessie announced. She was very close friends with Yani. She was in the middle of dying a woman’s hair.
Excitement at the mention of the mega R&B star went around the salon. Nasia was a big fan of Nina and was immediately calculating if she could afford to try to snag tickets. Nina’s tickets were never cheap, but the woman sure knew how to perform and make it completely worth it.
“I heard that, too,” Erin said. She sat her flat irons down on her counter and pulled out a comb and teased her client’s hair. “She’s going on tour here in the States before heading all over the world.”
“We have to go,” Tiny said.
Nasia agreed. She was going to have to call her sister and see if she would want to go. Aleka, her identical twin, always had the better luck when it came to getting tickets for events. Nasia was the elder sister by five minutes and was extremely close with her twin.
Her sister lived in Aurora, but they would both make the drive to go see Nina.
She was worth a girls’ trip.
“When do the tickets go on sale?” Nasia asked.
“I believe next month,” Jessie replied.
“Perfect.” Nasia brought up the internet on her phone and researched for ticket sales. The pricing wasn’t too surprising. She made a mental note to herself to call Aleka and tell her.
“I’m back,” Yani called out. She was all smiles and blew into the salon. “I’ll be right with you, Nasia.”
“Take your time.” Nasi
a smiled at her friend.
Yani rushed past, taking her coat off and disappearing in the back. A few minutes later, she reappeared and stopped by the chair. “How did the ponytail hold up?”
“Pretty good,” Nasia replied. She spun around in the chair and faced Yani. Her friend had a certain glow to her that Nasia couldn’t put her finger on.
“Awesome. I’m glad I talked you into it.” Yani grinned. She put her apron on and tied it behind her. “You are one stubborn customer.”
“Well, you know I’m simple when it comes to my hair.”
“It’s time we spice up your life.” Yani spun the chair back around and began undoing Nasia’s hair.
“How’s everything going with your boo?” Nasia asked.
“Amazing.” Yani sighed. “I don’t know why Rashad and I waited so long.”
Nasia grinned. Anyone who saw the two of them together in a room would have recognized the sparks. Even when Nasia had visited a few times and he was around, she’d sensed the electricity between them.
Nasia bit her lip.
Should she ask Yani about Stan? Rashad had said they were friends, so there was a big chance Yani knew of him.
“Question for you,” Nasia began. She was nervous asking around about a man, but she was a slightly captivated with Stan.
The memory of his smile still had her heart racing.
“Sure. What’s up?” Yani removed the fake hair that had made up Nasia’s ponytail. Her natural hair had been braided and hidden.
“This morning, Rashad stopped by the café and he had a friend with him.” Nasia’s gaze met Yani’s in the mirror. “His name was Stan. Are you familiar with him?”
Yani paused combing out Nasia’s hair and chuckled. “Yeah, we’ve met a few times. He’s a little quiet. According to Rashad, he just went through a rough divorce.”
“Who we talking about?” Jessie asked. She made no qualms she was listening to their conversation. “Stan Larsen?
Nasia should have known. Nothing in a salon was secret. Everyone had ears like a fox. Nasia might as well have been yelling her question.
“Yeah.” Nasia laughed.
“He’s a cutie. Wife is crazy, batshit crazy,” Jessie said.
“Oh, you know them?” Yani paused what she was doing.
Jessie shrugged. “Unfortunately, in this town, we all know someone or at least their neighbor, and I know Victoria Larsen,” she admitted. “She’s friends with my sister, Lynn. From what I heard, Victoria got caught in the bed with Stan’s best friend, Connor.”
“About a year ago, right?” Tiny asked. “I remember it being the talk of the town. That bitch didn’t appreciate her hard-working husband.”
“I need a man like him. Working his ass off to provide for me. Stan was so in love with her,” Erin, one of the other stylists, chimed in. She was in the middle of braiding her client’s hair.
“Ain’t that the truth,” Tiny murmured.
Nasia filed what she was learning in the back of her mind. No wonder he was Mr. Grumpy Pants this morning. He was going through some shit.
But I made him smile.
“You interested in him? I hear he’s still single,” Jessie said.
“Oh, I don’t know. I had never seen him around and was just curious,” Nasia lied. She didn’t want her business in the streets.
These women knew they really could gossip, and she didn’t want to chance her interest being the talk of the salon when she left.
“Come on so we can wash your hair.” Yani tapped her on the shoulder.
Nasia stood and followed her over to the sink and sat down.
Yani helped her settle back in the chair where her neck rested on the curve of the sink. “Comfy?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“If you want, why don’t I invite Stan over to dinner and you come over, too?” Yani asked softly.
Nasia grinned.
Yani knew how her coworkers were and had apparently waited until they were out of earshot.
“Sounds fun.”
“It would be like a double date. We could do game night.”
“That sounds perfect.”
Yani turned the water on and let it run until it was warm enough. Nasia settled back and relaxed, processing what she had heard about Stan and his ex-wife.
Maybe all he needed was a little joy in his life to help him get over his past.
Nasia was ready to volunteer as tribute.
3
Stan adjusted his hands on the steering wheel of his rental. It had been two days since he’d had to bum a ride from Rashad. His friend hadn’t minded and had even dropped him off at the only rental agency in town after work. Lucky enough they had one truck.
It was nice.
Brand-new.
But not for him.
He would tolerate the vehicle until he could narrow down which one he wanted to purchase. This time he would go for a brand-new one with all of the bells and whistles. He had worked hard and deserved to have one good thing in his life that wasn’t going to bail on him.
Today was going to be long day. With Parker out, the hands all had to pitch in. He and Rashad would be helping again to cover.
“I need some coffee,” he groaned. Yesterday he had been at the ranch from sunup to sundown. His body was a tad bit sore, and today, it would be the same.
He headed into town and instead of going to his normal diner to snag his cup of joe, he found himself headed toward the Shady Bean Café.
He told himself the coffee and sandwich were delicious and he just wanted to go back.
Support the new business.
Yes, that was why he was pulling in the parking spot directly in front of the little café.
He must be crazy. Nasia probably flirted with all of the ranchers and farmers when they came into her shop in the morning. It would be good for business.
Stan was sure she was a nice woman who wanted to make sure her customers kept coming back.
He wasn’t anyone special. He’d been out of the dating scene for years and didn’t have the first clue how to even approach a woman. He and Victoria had met at college at a party.
The other day had just been pure coincidence. Other than that, he had no game.
Hell, it was why Victoria had left him.
“You’re always at the damn ranch,” Victoria had screamed. “You don’t own it. You’re there so much, you forgot about your wife.”
Nothing had changed aside from coming home to an empty house. In the divorce, he had got the house but couldn’t stay there.
The memory of finding Victoria in the bed with Conner was etched into his brain. So he put the house up for sale and was currently renting another one. Didn’t make sense to buy a home with it just being only him.
But something had him killing the engine and stepping out of the truck.
Butterflies fluttered in his stomach, but he pushed down his nervousness. He readjusted his Stetson and made his way to the building.
He opened the door to the café and again, the delicious smells of baked goods attacked his senses. His footsteps carried him over to the register. Only one person was ahead of him. A young woman worked the counter with the same young man who had been there the other day.
Stan stared at the menu, wanting to try something else for breakfast. He couldn’t guarantee he’d get a lunch today so he figured he might as well eat now.
Settling on what he would order, he stepped up to the counter when it was his turn. The older man before him moved over to the pick-up line.
“Hi, can I help you?” the young woman asked. She had a warm smile, and her name tag shared her name: Sara.
“Morning.” Stan cleared his throat, trying not to share his disappointment that Nasia wasn’t taking his order. “I’d like a large coffee. Black with cream, and a large oatmeal.”
“Sure thing,” Sara said.
He slid her his credit card once she tallied the order.
She handed it back to him with the
receipt. “Are you dining in or taking it to go?”
Stan glanced around and saw a few patrons sitting down enjoying their meals.
“Here.” This was definitely different from his normal routine. No eating alone in his home. At least he was in public and around other people who had to get up at the ass crack of dawn to go to work.
He walked over to the pick-up area to allow Sara to take the order of the cowboy behind him. Stan recognized him as a hand from one of the other ranches. Their gazes met, and Stan returned his nod.
“Here you are, sir,” the young man announced. He brought Stan his order on a small tray. “Need any sugar or butter?”
“A few butter and sugar will be fine.” Stan offered him a tight smile. He didn’t want to appear ‘grumpy’ as Nasia had called him.
“Here you go.” The kid came back over and dropped everything on the tray.
“Much obliged.” Stan nodded and picked up the tray and eyed the restaurant. He made his way over to a corner table and sat. He doctored his oatmeal and took a taste.
It may be oatmeal, but he wasn’t sure what they had done to it. It was the best tasting bowl of oats he’d had in a while. He reached for his coffee, and again, best damn coffee he’d had.
He officially had a new place to obtain his caffeine.
He continued his meal and brought his phone out of his pocket. He hit the news app and turned his attention to it.
The atmosphere of the café was quiet, calming, and he was actually enjoying himself. The two baristas behind the counter were funny and playful, joking around with the customers.
Nasia’s smile and laughter brightened his day and made him feel something he thought he had lost.
Disappointment filled him that he didn’t get to see Nasia again. He pushed it down and listened to the weatherman discuss his predictions. Today, they were moving cattle, and it would help to stay up on the weather.
“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,” a familiar breathless voice said.
Stan’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced up into a pair of pretty brown eyes.
Nasia.
“Morning, Mr. Grumpy.” Her killer-watt smile stretched across her face. She was dressed in a dark short-sleeved V-neck t-shirt and a pair of skintight jeans. Today her hair was different. Instead of the long ponytail resting on her mid back, her hair was dark, straight, and flowed around her shoulders.
