Mocha Dreams Part 1

By Keisha Brown

Some differences aren't as strong as they seem

Sexy nerd Ian made millions selling his popular apps. He bought a house in a Florida tourist town, and now he spends his days pining for the beautiful barista in the local coffee shop.

Jayla doesn't have much, but she earned every little bit she's got. Growing up as part of the working poor in a rich tourist town has taught her that nothing in this life is free. Between her job, her jewelry-making business, and her mom in a nursing home, she barely has time to eat. But this man has definitely got her attention.

They come from two different worlds. When their lives collide, will their love be strong enough to overcome those differences?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Midnight Blue Press
• Release date: Jul 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781516306923

Keisha Brown

Keisha Brown writes about strong black women and the men they fall in love with. Her books are set in the steamy towns of central Florida, where the nights are warm and sultry and the days are sunny enough to disguise any lover's quarrel. Keisha Brown lives in the environment she writes about, and is frequently seen with a notepad on the beach, looking for interesting couples to portray in her next work. When she's not writing, Brown experiments with creating her own coffee blends and grows an unsuccessful garden every year. Keep up with all her new books at http://www.keishabrownauthor.com

Book preview

Chapter One

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Jayla pulled another shot, expertly turning espresso and frothed milk into one of her signature lattes. She'd been working as a barista at Hill 'O Beans so long that the movements were second nature. Suddenly she turned to the girl behind the register.

Sashi, turn that up! It's one of my favorite songs! Her hips began to sway of their own accord as the smooth sounds of Smokey Robinson filled the air.

Jayla, why you like all this oldies crap? My mom plays this Motown when she's drinking her wine at night.

This old music had style, girl. Motown was classy, it gets into your blood and just glides. She closed her eyes, swaying to the beat, until she heard a cough at the pass-through counter. Her eyes flew open, centering on the man standing there, probably waiting on his latte.

Umm, sorry! I didn't mean to keep you waiting. You must be Ian? She took a better look at him, liking what she saw. His wavy brown hair tumbled around, softer looking than most of the business types that filled the cafe each morning. He had eyes the color of the Starbucks logo, but she wasn't going to hold it against him. The rest of him was just plain hot. Jayla shook her head, slightly embarrassed at the way she was staring at this strange man.

That's me, Ian, he said. Sorry to interrupt your dance moves. I'd have kept watching, but I'm late for a meeting. If I could just get my latte? She flushed, then handed over the drink. Thanks. I'll see you next time. Oh, and by the way, you're right. The old Motown tunes are the best. He winked at her, picked up his drink, and turned to walk away.

Sashi shook her head, making her braids dance.

Now that's the kind of scenery I like to see in here. When are you gonna get up the nerve and talk to him? You know, this too-busy-for-relationships thing has gone on for a long time. You've been staring at that white boy for weeks like he looked good enough to eat. When are you gonna try to get a taste? Jayla sighed. It was an old conversation.

You know what my life's like. I don't even have time to get to the beach more than once or twice a month, and it's four blocks from our apartment. When would I have time for a relationship?

You make time. Some things are worth it. I swear, Jayla, one day you're just going to dry up and blow away. I'm not saying any woman needs a man, but a little fun in your life couldn't hurt! Picturing the long day ahead she had planned, Jayla just smiled and turned to make the next drink. She lost herself in the loud hissing of the milk steamer, and her mind wandered while she automatically made drinks for the people standing in line at her counter. Fun would be nice, she thought, but taking care of what I need to do is more important. I'll have fun later when things loosen up.

The two women worked as a great team, so they got through the morning rush crowd in record time. After the last drink had been made, Jayla pulled a small notebook from her back pocket and thumbed through the pages.

Do you mind if I eat the last of the pasta for my lunch? I've got three orders to finish before Friday, and I won't have time to go out and get anything.

No problem, Sashi said. Jamal's taking me to lunch. I won't be back before you leave for your mom's, so help yourself. I'll see you later tonight when you get home.

Even with sharing food and bill money, the girls barely made it in the tiny apartment they shared. If Sashi wanted to get a free lunch out of