Page 1 of Catch a Tiger

Chapter 1

Maria

The sun shines through the windows at The Brew, warming the coffee shop despite the air conditioning pumping at full blast to cool the afternoon patrons from the hot summer day. The Brew smells of delicious coffee beans, and today, Maria is filling orders of iced coffee. Go figure.

Maria has been working as a barista at The Brew since she dropped out of college. She can get a regular job if she wants to, but she likes the atmosphere, her co-workers, and her trusting and friendly boss. If she ever needs a day off, which is rare, someone would always step in for her, just as she’d do for them. They’re like a family. She found her best friend here, Darius, and they moved in together last year due to living costs.

Living anywhere in California is expensive. San Fransico is no different. She could move to a different state, but just like The Brew, she loves it here. Even though it’s blazing hot outside, she’d take it over blizzarding snow any day. Being cold isn’t her thing.

“Sara!” Maria shouts when an order is fulfilled. The customer smiles as she takes her iced coffee, and Maria thanks her. As soon as she turns to leave, Maria works on getting a hot coffee for her favorite customer who is waiting at the coffee bar.

The Brew isn’t a large place, but there are a few tables scattered throughout the old building. It has large and inviting floor-to-ceiling windows that were installed last year, modern lighting that she had helped her boss pick out, and a coffee bar that is off to the left of the barista station. Few people stay long enough to sit at the bar, but Chase sits there every day. At the same time of the day. Like clockwork.

She grabs a mug, fills it with dark brew and cream, and heads over to Chase with a smile. She’s always liked the man. He is elderly, probably a stud in his day, and he makes it a point to tease her every chance he has.

His gray hair is swept to the side, and God must have blessed him because he has yet to show any signs of balding. With a crooked nose, Maria can only guess that he had broken it a few times. She’s never asked about it because that would be rude, but she imagines that he had gotten into fights in his youth. The theory fits him perfectly. She’d bet her last dollar that he was a wild man in his twenties.

Somehow, he caught himself a woman though. He still wears the wedding ring, even though his wife passed away a few years ago before Maria had started at The Brew. Her boss had told her when they were talking about Chase one day. Her heart had broke for him at the time, but he seems to be getting along just fine on his own.

Maria places the cup in front of Chase and folds her arms across her chest. “There you go, grandpa.” He isn’t her grandpa, obviously, but just as he gives her shit, she gives it right back. It’s their thing.

Chase frowns down at his mug. “What happened to my little foam leaf?”

Maria’s grin broadens. “I thought the heart would be better.” When he raises his frown to her, she winks.

“Are you flirting with me? Is that what this heart is for and that mischievous little wink?”

“Of course, I am, Chase. You’re my favorite.”

He leans across the bar, and in a hushed tone, he says, “You’re beautiful, Maria, but I like my girls a little older.” He always tells her how beautiful she is, but Maria lets it wash over her. She’s definitely not someone she would consider beautiful. She won’t correct him though, because some part of her likes to be complimented, even if it’s false.

She laughs. “What’s wrong with younger women? I could use a sugar daddy, you know.”

Sitting fully back on his stool, he harrumphs. “You’ll have to look elsewhere.”

“Such a shame,” Maria mumbles in a tone so sad, that he chuckles under his breath. “We could be great together.”

He shakes his head, looks behind her, and points to Darius. “Maybe you should ask him out on a date. He seems like he’d be a good lover.”

Maria looks in Darius’ direction with a raised eyebrow. Darius is busy fulfilling another order and has no idea that he became the topic of their conversation. He smiles brightly at the customer who is chatting with him.

Darius is attractive, with mocha-colored skin, a stocky build, a naturally charming smile, and the greenest eyes she’s ever seen, but there's a problem. Two problems, actually. First, they’re roommates and best friends, and two . . .

Maria snorts and turns back to Chase. “Oh, he wouldn’t be interested. Trust me.”

“No?” He gulps down some of his beverage as Maria shakes her head. “How could you possibly know that?”

How does she put this? “We’re on the same baseball team.”

He scowls. “What does baseball have to do with anything?”

She places her hands on the counter and bends her hips to look him square in the eye. “Same team, Chase.”

His scowl only deepens. “I heard you.”

Maria crosses her eyes for a moment. “Oh, for Christ’s sake. He doesn’t like women.”

“Oh,” Chase breathes. He looks at Darius again. “Oh. I see. Well, whatever works for him.”