Sugah & Spice (12 page)

             
“Hey Sugah, I wanted to catch up
with you
before you left.
I saw the car and knew immediately that it belonged to you. It really works. It describes you to perfection.” Sugah looked at Mark. “Is that right? What exactly does it say about me, Mark?”
Sugah leaned back crossing her arms over her chest defensively.

Holding his hands up in surrender, Mark quickly let Sugah know he wasn’t placing her into any stereotype shit. “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t mean anything negative. Shit, you look like you ready to rip my head off,” he said laughing. Sugah couldn’t resist his handsomeness. She felt herself relaxing, smiling back at him. “Oh, I know I’m gonna love to hear this. Go on,” she told him.
Mark stood back admir
ing
the car again before he spoke. He chose his words carefully.

“Well, it’s sexy
, sassy
and sleek. It’s sporty, yet elegan
t
and classy.
”
He walked around the car like it was a piece of fine art. “Open her up for me,” he told Sugah. She obliged and humored him with anticipation. So far, he was describing her accurately. Mark continued. “
The leather is smooth
, sophisticated
. The black speaks boldness
,
while
the red speaks confidence, fire and passion. You don’t have over the top
wheels, which show
poise and self-assurance.
It also says that you don’t like too much attention.
Your windows are tinted not too light or dark, and that tells me that you are open-minded without any thing to hide. That you don’t judge and really like to get to know someone before making assumptions based on outer appearance.
And the convertible top shows that you are daring, fun, exciting and not afraid to take life by the horns and make the best out of any given situation.
But with all that being said, it is a beauty! Just like you.
This car says watch out bitches, here come
s
Sugah!
”

Sugah couldn’t close her mouth. She was more impressed with Mark
than ever
. He didn’t know much about her
,
ye
t
he
knew everything by the kind of car she drove.
The only other person who said some of the same things was Espresso when she sat inside the car.
If he could tell all of that by her car choice, then what else could he see? Sugah shook her head in total disbelief.

With tears in her eyes, she quickly turned away from Mark. No one knew her, and especially didn’t think of her in that way. It was overwhelming yet gratifying to know that people didn’t see her as a failure.
“Well, that sums me up completely.
Mainly the reasons I bought this particular car instead of something else. The red packs a punch like me too, so don’t get it twisted.
Are you sure you aren’t a Psych major? No one has ever analyzed me like that and gotten it right. Damn, I am going to have to be careful around you
,
Mark Prescott
,
”
Sugah said in a shaky voice, her emotions taking flight.
Mark flashed his million dollar smile.

“Sugah, you are one of a kind.
The car just goes hand in hand with you perfectly. I am just calling it like I see it.
I was
also
wondering if you wanted to get together and study like we did last semester
.
I know that you have a full load
,
as do I, so maybe we can help each other out. What do you say,” he asked smiling. Sugah admitted for the first time that she was attracted to Mark. His smile was infectious, so she found herself smiling back at him. “Sure, why not! We do make a good team, don’t we? I will see you tomorrow and then we can come up with a schedule that works well for both of us.” Mark nodded
in agreement. “Okay,” he said backing up to let her get into her car. “By the way, nice
choice but you should have gotten a Mercedes.
Its luxury defines you so much better, because you are destined for greatness.
”
Sugah was in awe. Mark was turning out to be an analytical genius.

He backed up still facing her. “
I didn’t know you had it like that, girl. Maybe you can take me for a spin sometime?” Sugah looked at her new car. She had to agree, it was something else. “Sure,” she replied. Mark watched as she drove off. He couldn’t stop himself from thinking about her. Sugah made a lasting impression on him from the first moment he met her
,
and now he wanted more. As he walked in the direction of his own car, he didn’t see the jealous man watching him with clenched teeth. Coffee was furious. Who was this clown? Why was he all over Sugah? He would get to the bottom of it.

             
The drive to her apartment was a breeze. Sugah loved having a car. She wondered how she made it through a year of school without one. Now all she needed was a new apartment. Although she would miss her first apartment, she knew that she needed more space. After she finished her first day assignments, grabbed a bowl of
fresh
fruit and sat in front of her computer, she allowed the words to pour out of her. When she realized it, she had written several pages, which she would later turn into her college Thesis. The piece o
n
life’s lessons and making the best of harsh circumstances
wa
s well-executed, well-written and well underway to receiving countless recognition all over
the country. Several hours
also passed.
Sugah jumped into the shower to freshen up before her meeting with Coffee. She wondered
if all the
others would be attending. She thought of Espresso
.
S
he hadn’t been able to join him for lunch and wanted to call to apologize.

S
ugah
wrapped her towel around her wet body, while putting a cotton t-shirt around her soaked hair. Sugah found that the only way to dry her hair without taking all day.
It also kept down frizz to her
natural
curls.
She didn’t have time to set under the dryer
nor did she want to
. As she lightly applied her makeup, she dialed Espresso’s office number. With the phone o
n
speaker,
Sugah
was able to use her hands freely. “What up Sis,” he
answered
after the first rang.

“
Oh
,
I can’t call it. Sorry about today. School was more
overwhelming than I thought
,
so I just grabbed something on campus. We can do lunch tomorrow.
What’s going on with cha?
”

             
“
Oh
,
n
othing
mush
just chilling, getting ready to finish up some last minu
te paperwork be
fore I can leave.
I will be glad when I can get my drink on. 
Don’t worry about it. How did it
g
o
today
? Did you get all the classes you wanted?”

Sugah smiled. Espresso was really a sweetheart
,
although he pretended to be hard in front of everyone else. “Yep and I got all the professors I wanted, except one. Why
in the hell
didn’t you tell me that Coffee taught at my school?” Espresso was suddenly caught off guard. “It never crossed my mind. I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you. Why, what happened?”
Sugah tried to hear of any sign that he was lying to her but didn’t get any.

“Well, I was shocked when he walked into my Statistics class and started lecturing. I wanted to say something but didn’t, besides, what could I say? No one is even supposed to know that we all know and associate with each other, right. I don’t know if I am even going to stay in his class. Although I really need the class, I just don’t think it will be good. What would you do?”

             
“Girl, Coff is a great professor.
Quit tripping!
He has received several awards and is good at Statistics. Hell, he helped us all when we took it in school. Even though he is young, hell we are all young, doesn’t mean that he cannot distinguish teaching from all of his other activities. Don’t take it personal. Just go in th
ere, do your best and get that
“A”
, girl. Chill the hell out! It will be fine.
And you better get an A too,
”
he added with more emphasis.

Sugah
suddenly
fel
t at ease. “Thanks. I guess
becau
se of what happened between us
it’s just weird.” Just as the words slipped out of her mouth, she regretted saying them. She hadn’t mentioned any of what happened to Espresso and now she had to.

“Whoa
…
fuck you mean
,
what happened between the two of you?” She could tell from his change in tone that he wasn’t happy hearing what she had just said.
Sugah remained silent. “Oh don’t
get all quiet on me now
and shit
. I asked you a question and I expect a
damn
answer. Sugah, are you listening to me?
Don’t make me come over there and put my foot in ya ass, girl.
”

             
“Yes, I’m listening. Don’t get all demanding
and
shit
, So
.
” So, was the nickname that Suga
h had started calling Espresso
after he called her a few times
,
to check on her and see if she needed anything. After that, it just stuck and he didn’t seem to mind it. “
I know you want what’s best for me but I don’t owe you any explanation
s
.
” Sugah’s voice raised an octave. She didn’t like when people demanded things from her. It made her feel inferior. She took a deep breath and remembered that she was talking to Espresso. He didn’t want anything but the best for her. She apologized and calmed down.
“So
, I really like Coffee. He makes me feel like no other. Whenever I am around him, my heart skips a beat. I don’t know what to do.
I don’t know what it is about him. I have only had one boyfriend and he betrayed me with someone way younger than me. I haven’t allowed anyone to get as close as I let Coffee. He is different
.
I find myself drawn to him for some strange reason.
” Sugah allowed her tears to kiss her cheeks. She didn’t like the way her emotions were betraying her and certainly
no
t to Espresso.
Being weak wasn’t an option for her. No one would ever make her feel weak again.

“Shh, calm down. It will be okay. Coff is a good dude and he hasn’t shown interest in anyone since his last relationship, years ago. I see the way he looks at you. Hell, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder can see that
shit
.
Those mugs can write a song about it and win a Grammy.
Just take one day at a time. I care about the both of you and I d
on’t want to have to choose. And
you
are
like a little sister to me and Coffee is
like a brother
, so if whatever going on between you
two do
n’t work out, I don’t want to have to be put in an awkward position. I don’t even what to know all that did or didn’t happen. Be sure before you tell anyone else, okay.
And Sugah, never mix business with pleasure, it never works out good. Trust me, I have been there and done that
,
and sometimes I
find myself s
till recovering from that shit.
” Sugah nodded, blowing her nose.
She could tell that pain was still there in whatever went down between Espresso and whomever. She wanted to know more but didn’t push the issue. If he wanted to share, he would
eventually
.

             
“Thanks
,
So
. I am
so
glad to have you in my life. I have to finish getting dressed. Will you be at the meeting tonight?”

             
“I will be there but I will probably be late. I still have a lot of things to do before I can leave the off
ice. Save me a seat next to you and please order me a glass of goose and cranberry, hold the cranberry.
”

Sugah laughed. “You got it.
Peaches,
”
she said. “Plum,” he replied. “Later Bum,” they said together laughing become ending the call.
Sugah finished getting dressed. When she was sure she looked her best, she ch
ecked herself one last time in
he
r
full-length
mirror
,
and grabbed her keys. Before she reached
the door, her home phone rang. Annoyed, she quickly picked up the phone. “Hello?” she spoke in a frustrated tone.