Cold Brew by blacklitchick

Rick felt ridiculous.

He'd checked his hair in the rearview mirror for the umpteenth time in the past ten minutes. Several curls were out of place and wouldn't cooperate when he tried to comb them back with his fingers. He should have been home drinking beer and watching the game after working a double shift, but there he was parked in front of Nina's Coffee Cafe. Though he knew if he hadn't come today he'd see her face on the screen instead.

Knowing his hair were a lost cause, he threw on a Falcons cap and stepped out of his truck. He still felt ridiculous though a giddiness built up inside him at the thought of seeing her again; which made him feel even more ridiculous. He wasn't a boy with his first crush, but a seasoned adult with a kid of his own. But he hadn't been able to get her out of his mind since that day.

He felt out of place as soon as he walked in. The cafe was filled with stylish people dressed in trendy clothes. His simple t-shirt and jeans made him look like the old country boy he was. But he was on a mission and he wasn't about to let that deter him. He looked past the patrons until his eyes spotted her near the back.

Michonne.

The first time he saw her he was immediately tongue tied and had to focus in order to do his job. Shane teased him about it all week. He was starting to feel that way again just by being near her presence.

She'd curled her locs since the last time he saw her. The long hair cascaded down over one shoulder; stopping above her breast. Her toned leg was put on display through the split that reached the thigh on her long skirt. Her beauty and melodic laugh enraptured him. As it seemed to do to the man sitting across from her as she grazed her fingers across his forearm.

Of course, Rick thought. A woman like her had a boyfriend. He was sure he reeked of defeat as he made his way back to the door. The quiet exit he planned turned into an impromptu performance as he accidently knocked over a can of creamer and a box of stirrers.

Michonne immediately recognized him and rushed over; her smile as bright as he remembered. "Officer Grimes."

He was both embarrassed at his clumsiness and pleased that she remembered him.

"Sorry about the mess." He was sure his smile was as wide, but not nearly as beautiful.

"No worries," she gestured to one of the workers. "We'll get it cleaned up."

"'Preciate that. By the way I'm off-duty so it's just Rick."

"Well, ok then Just Rick." She winked at him. He could feel his heart speed up. "I'm happy to see you again. I never did get to thank you properly for helping with that unruly customer."

He shrugged his shoulders. "You don't have to thank me. I was doing my sworn duty."

"Something tells me it's more than a duty."

He blushed. "My mama did raise me right."

"I see that. What do I owe the pleasure of this visit to?"

"Ummm," Rick scratched behind his ear and gave her boyfriend, still at the table, a quick glance. "Coffee. I'm here for coffee."

"You're kinda in the perfect place for that."

Rick couldn't help but to smile at her infectious charm. "I would think so."

"What can I get you?"

"Hmmm?"

"The coffee you came in for…"

"Oh, right. Umm what...what do you have?"

She walked behind the counter. "We have so many combinations and so many blends. There's the americano, all kinds of coffee and tea lattes, the blonde brews, macchiatos, flat whites, espressos."

Rick scrunched his forehead, squinted his eyes and looked up at the menu on the wall. The only coffee he ever ingested was from the station, the Quick Mart, or the Folgers at his house. "What do you recommend?"

She leaned her hip against the counter and twisted her upper body so she could look back at the menu. "Hmmm. You seem like a cold brew man."

"I trust your judgement. Brew it up."

"Perfect." She went to work making the coffee. Rick enjoyed watching her graceful movements.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asked.

"You certainly can."

"Why is this place called Nina's?"

She smiled as she continued to work. "Ah, my most favorite question to answer. I stressed over what to name this place for months. Then one night I was driving around going nowhere. Enjoying the stars and lights, and listening to the radio when my favorite song came on, I Put A Spell On You. Right then I knew I had to name it after the two most important Nina's in my life. My mom and Nina Simone."

Rick pointed to a portrait of a older woman who looked just like Michonne hanging on the wall next to the menu. "I'm guessin' that's your mother."

Michonne nodded. "That's her beautiful face." She tilted her head to a framed vintage concert poster on the other wall. "My other Nina is over there." She poured his brew into a disposable cup with Nina's written in cursive across the front. "Speaking of Miss Simone, I have a jazz cover band coming in about an hour. You should stay."

Jazz wasn't Rick's thing, but he was willing to listen to anything if it meant spending time with her.

Before he could accept the invitation, her boyfriend came up to the counter. "Mich, I'm gonna go run an errand. I'll be back for the show."

"Sure thing, but be back on time, Mike. You know Jeanette and the boys want you front and center when they start playing." She squeezed his hand.

"No doubt." Mike gave Rick a friendly head nod before leaving the cafe.

Rick cleared his throat. "I'd like to stay, but I can't. Worked a double and have to get back at it early tomorrow."

Michonne looked disappointed as she handed him the coffee. "Aw that's too bad, but I hope you come back again."

Rick nodded. "I'll try." He pulled out his wallet.

"Uh, uh. Your money's no good here. You and your partner's coffees are always on me."

Rick smiled through his disappointment. "I'll remember that." He left a few dollars in the tip jar and made a quick exit.

He sipped on the coffee as he sat back in his truck. He knew he should forget about her, but the melody of her laughter still echoed in his head as he drove off.