Now That I've Found You

Now That I've Found You : Chapter 4 "Freefall"

They all started meeting up at the café. It was great having a spot to come sit and talk for a while. They shared conversations on many topics. They even did outside events where the guys hung out with the guys and the girls did the same as well. Sometimes some of them participated in the open mic as a way of challenging themselves to step out of their comfort zone. When Edmond decided he would do a rendition of "I'm going down" by Mary J. Blige, it almost had the place in tears.
Sophia had started looking forward to her outing with the girls. Often they talked about doing something together and they all agreed on a Summer activity on some weekends. They chose to go bike riding on the trails and they had a blast. They would meet up, have breakfast, and then go riding right after. Gwen, Sophia, and Nikita stopped for a break. "I'm hot! Why does the sun have to be so hateful." Nikita grabbed the front of her shirt trying to fan herself. Sophia and Gwen laughed at her efforts.

Sophia took her water from the basket of her bike. She drank then said to both Gwen and Nikita, "Think of it as a sure way to burn the calories." "Well, I'm burning a lot of that," Gwen responded. Her whole shirt was drenched.Sophia's cell phone chimed and she took a look at her watch. "Please tell me you don't have to disappear again. I am all for working but girl this is the weekend," said Nikita. She had her hand on her hip, still straddling her bike.

Sophia laughed "Girl bills don't care what day of the week it is. It still needs to get paid.""I know that's right," said Gwen, still fanning herself. "What do you think the guys are doing today?"Nikita shrugged. "Beats me. I usually don't bother asking since we are not joining them. Probably sitting in front of a television watching some sport or playing games."Sophia finished responding to her mgs. Then looked over at Nikita."That sounds like something they would do right?" smiling at the thought of it being a typical thing."Okay, I want to get you ladies' opinion on something," Gwen said. She paused and then said "But first we need to get out of this heat I'm about ten seconds from diving into that lake. "Okay okay!" Sophia said. Nikita and Gwen laughed as they walked over to a shaded area out of the sun. They parked their bikes and walked to sit in a nice grassed area."Okay since we have been hanging out I have really enjoyed being with you both and I haven't really had friends like you. I mean I know I can be..." She paused to find the words.

"Eccentric?" Nikita threw in."A diva?" Sophia returned. Nikita looked at Sophia."Bohemian?""Challenging?" They both laughed out loud."EXCUSE ME!" Gwen playfully made as if to smack them. "Free-spirited is what I was looking for." She shook her head smiling. "Anyways... I was wanting to know what y0u ladies think of Braxton. He's cute right?" Gwen looked over at them. Nikita obviously was running over some thoughts in her head. She looked over at Sophia who was smiling at Gwen and responded. "I mean if you think he's cute you should try talking to him. You know see if there's anything there.""Edmond is cute too." Nikita said pointedly at Sophia. Then looked directly at Gwen.
"Maybe you should see if there something there as well." Nikita said in a neutral voice. Gwen, appalled at the thought, cringed away. "Oh no, absolutely not. He's like a brother to me. Can you imagine being in a relationship with yourself arguing over who wore it best." Gwen shivered at the thought. "No way."Nikita contemplates her question before asking, "So you're saying no because you know Edmond.""Well yeah! Of course, I know Edmond and I don't look at him like that." At this time Sophia pulls her attention from her messages to Braxton, and what makes him so attractive to you?"
Sophia looked from Nikita to Gwen who at this point stood up and started pacing. Her brow was creased deep in thought."Okay well, we seem to have things in common and we have gone for coffee at the café. We were both there to do projects and that's been on 2 occasions. We talk about things like my love for fashion, He always offers to drive me home." Gwen stopped and looked at Nikita who had a perplexed looked on her face."Umm... is...that it? I mean I have yet to hear what he has done on a grand scale to have drawn your attention. Cause right now it just sounds like you dig him because he was kind to you." Nikita wasn't trying to be a negative Nancy to her friend. She wanted Gwen to really think about why she was catching feelings for him.Sophia sighed, "Gwen, I think it's nice that you find Braxton of interest. Just make sure you both are on the same page." Gwen smiled and said, " I agree, but you both have yet to answer my question... what do you guys think of Braxton, I really want to know."Sophia laughed and shook her head."Really it doesn't matter what we think of him. It's what you think that matters, but if you must know my thoughts...he is a good guy. " "I agree, he is a really good person. He's helpful and gives his time generously," said Nikita. "He actually helped me set up my garden." At that, Gwen sat forward. She had the look of surprise written all over her face."He's come to your house?""Sure. I had mentioned my interest in starting a small garden while we were all at the cafe. I wanted to build a raised garden bed. Obviously, you were not listening to me." Sophia smiled at Nikita "How did it turn out?" "Really good actually. I thought it was gonna be a lot of work but it wasn't that hard, but I'm glad he and Edmond came over to assist." She and the guys were productive that weekend managed to complete the garden with their help. The guys put the wood together, put in the bed of soil, and helped her plant the vegetables."It's good they came over to help. So now if I need some fresh produce I know to go to my friend's house." They all stood up to make their way back to the bikes."Anytime friend." While Nikita and Sophia carried on, Gwen was still stuck on the fact that she was left out of the loop."I didn't know he came over to your place. You should have told me, I would have come help.""You mean you would have come to help yourself to some Braxton. Gurl, I do not see you as 'The playing in the dirt' type." They all laughed."Hater. That's all that is." Gwen said and they all rode their bikes back. That weekend was not only a much-needed outing but it allowed the girls the get to know each other.
Braxton sat at his desk going over formulas. He sighed, sat back, and pinched the bridge of his nose. Starring at the screen for so long was starting to give him a headache. He'd been at it for hours and it didn't seem like this was going to get solved anytime soon. He was putting in some work from home this weekend. He didn't have anything else planned. He got up and made his way out of his office, down the hallway to the kitchen. Opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.
As he did so he looked around the kitchen. Right then Sophia came to mind.Since meeting at the café they have been keeping in touch and often times sending each other morning greetings or just sharing how their days went. He found that he enjoyed talking to her and she was very intuitive and always gave him sound advice. Smiling to himself he thought she could use the space to do her cooking and baking. He would definitely love to have the house smelling of all kinds of spice. The thought had him smiling even more. He took another sip of his water. Braxton looked at his watch, wondering if she was done hanging with Nikita and Gwen.

Standing in front of a wall full of movies, Sophia was contemplating whether to watch a classic or new film, when her phone rung. She saw that it was Braxton."Good Morning Braxton." Smiling she slowly walked over to the couch and sat down."Hello there.""What has you reaching out this fine day?" She asked playfully."I will get to that but first how was biking with the girls?""It was good." She finally selected a film. "I can honestly say my calves are on fire and my feet hurt, but it was good." Braxton laughed, " Poor baby. You had to do a little workout.""Are you laughing at my pain?" She shook her head. "You are so insensitive."
Braxton walked around the counter to the living room area and sat down."Okay, I'm sorry. Let me make it up to you. ""How?""Full access. I have a large kitchen I barely use and you could use a space without interruptions I'm sure." "Tempting. Go on." She smiled her mind already racing with the thoughts of all the things she can do at his place."I thought you would not mind. In return, I simply ask for a meal " He reclined back in the loveseat and rested his arm on the back of the couch and propped his foot on the table.
Sophia thought it over for a minute. She didn't mind using his kitchen and she certainly wasn't going to turn down his offer for her to make him a meal. She always needs someone to sample the new dishes she creates." I take it you haven't eaten lunch already?" She got up and went to the counter. Grabbed a pen and pencil and started writing down a few things to pick up. As she continues writing he says, "Haven't really eaten anything all day." She stopped writing.
"You mean to tell me you haven't eaten breakfast?" Sophia asked. "No, just got up and started working?" Braxton replied.In her concerned voice, she says, "You know it's not good for you to work on an empty stomach." Braxton sighs, "I know, having a smoothie isn't enough to stay focus while working."
"Okay, well I'm on my way over, I am also bringing a movie. Anything, in particular, you would like to eat?" as Sophia is heading out the door. Braxton smiling "No, I am leaving that up to you.""Okay see you in a bit," she replies. Braxton hangs up and sits forward, looks around his living round to make sure the place is neat and clean. He gets up and heads to his room to prepare to take a shower.
While Braxton is getting himself prepared. Sophia is on her way to the grocery store when she receives a call from Nakita. "Hey Nakita! How are you?" "Hey, I was just calling about something that just came to me." Sophia could tell that Nakita was excited about to share some news that she just received."Yeah girl, what's going on?" "So, I had a dream...and you were in it," Sophia paused at the news she just received. "Okay...do share?" "I saw you standing in a field, wearing white, you were holding your arms out from your side and there were white horse circling you. I thought you should know it is a good sign. But, like in the dream it requires for you to be open and surrender."
For a second Sophia was speechless, wasn't sure how to take what her friend was telling her. "So this is what you had to tell me?" Sophia asked. " Yeah, I thought it was important you should know. Great things are coming your way. So don't go blocking your blessings sweetie."Sophia laughing skeptically, " Haha, an okay friend I do appreciate it."
"Okay, so what are your plans for today? Any orders? "Oh, not quite an order but I had been given an opportunity," Sophia ecstatically shared. "Oh, that is great! So what is it, exactly?""Well, you know that I run my business out of my mother's kitchen. I have been fortunate enough to use it. I work well with space, but since my business has been taking off I need more room." "Yes, of course, that is understandable. So what is the opportunity?" Nakita dying to know.
"Well, a friend called me today with a proposition that really works out in my favor. I will have the creative space that I need and in return, they will get to sample my new creations."
"Sophia that is great! Maybe that's what my dream was all about. A new business venture how awesome is that." Sophia responds "Your right that is great. Listen, I need to go take care of something, but we can catch up later." Sophia just arrived at the store and she goes in to pick up a few things checks out and leaves.
Sophia pulls into Braxton's driveway she checks the address to make sure she is in the right location. She gets out of the car, as she heads to the trunk of the car Braxton comes out to help her with the groceries.
"Hey you made it, did you have trouble finding the place?" he asked."No, it was actually easy to find." She closes the trunk of the car and she is taken back by the architecture of the house.She says, "Wow! Braxton this is really beautiful." He smiles and says "Why, thank you, wait until you see the inside." They head into the house. As they go in, Braxton steps aside so that she can enter ahead of him. She can't help but to pause and takes in the view of the high foyer. As she stands there, Braxton passes her and says "Follow me, I will show you to your new playground." At that, she smiles and responds "Oh that's cute." "I aim to please." She follows him towards the kitchen.
Her eyes lit up and she thought to herself this kitchen was cut right out of the latest state of the art chef's kitchen magazine "ROzE' KITCHEN". He has a 6 range natural gas stove, beautiful marble countertops, clear-kitchen cabinets. The color of the kitchen is a mix of light tone grays with a sleek white herringbone backsplash. He noticed that she was in deep thought, he grabbed the remaining groceries from her hand. "So does the kitchen meet your expectations?" as he puts them on the kitchen island.She turns to him, " Of course, this is more than I expected. This is beyond beautiful."
Braxton couldn't help the joy that ran through him as she complimented his home. He always prided himself in making sure that his place would be up to par just in case he needed to host in his home; he would be fully equipped.He washed his hands. Dried them and then walked over to Sophia took her hand, pulling her along with him."Come, Let me show you the rest of the house.""Wait you haven't eaten Braxton," she said while walking. "Oh, that can wait, what's a few more minutes. Let's go." As he walking backward, he smiles and she can't help but smile back, "Alright, you're right."