Element, Part 1 (4 page)

“Hold on. I think that’s my Aunt Sharon with that group of
people.” Natalie lifted up on her tiptoes to see over the crowd in front of
her. When she heard the distinguishable laugh, she knew that had to be Sharon.

“Yep, that’s her alright. Come on.” They pushed through the
crowd making their way over toward her.

Sharon, the complete opposite of Natalie’s mom, displayed a
pretentious, outgoing, and an uncontainable zeal for life personality. She
loved her aunt but felt sorry for her. After two failed marriages, she resorted
to a single life and a devout commitment to her career as part owner of an
advertising agency in Austin.

“Having fun?” Natalie asked, hugging her aunt from behind.
Sharon had a rule to never call her Aunt in public. She thrived on portraying
herself as a younger woman. Even at forty-six years old, she rocked a body of a
woman in her late twenties. If there was a procedure for it, she’d either had
it done or planned on having it done.  Sharon’s view: if it’s loose, tighten
it; if it sags, lift it; and even if it’s not broken, you might as well have it
fixed the way you want it.

Sharon turned around. “Natalie… wow! Don’t you look gorgeous?
Let me guess, did Lise do this to you?”

Natalie nodded. “Of course...you know Lise.”

“Great job, Lise. You need to make her up more often.”

“I know, right? By the way, I love your outfit.” Lise
touched the sleeve of her animal print dress.

“Thank you. So what are you gals doing out here tonight?”

“We’re celebrating. We both got internships at Kronberg
Laboratories.” Natalie smiled at Lise.

“You did? That’s wonderful. I wish you would’ve told me you
applied. You know they’re clients of mine.  I work closely with Lynn Pham in
Marketing.”

“Seriously? I’m going to be working in Marketing. Isn’t she
the head of the department or something?” Lise asked.

“Yes, she’s the director. I’m sure you’ll get to know her.
Tell her you know me. I’ll also let her know the next time I see her.”

“Okay. I will. You know it never hurts to network.” Lise
winked at Sharon.

“That’s right. You learn quickly. Come on. Let’s get us a
drink.” Sharon urged them to follow her to the bar.

“Okay.” Lise immediately followed Sharon and Natalie tagged
behind.

Natalie wondered if she should tell her aunt that she had
been testing out some of their supplements but decided to keep it to herself
for now. It probably wouldn’t make a difference to her anyway.

Sharon turned to Natalie and Lise. “What do you gals want?”

“Nothing, thanks.” Natalie replied.

“What? Oh come on, have a little fun. Besides, drinks are on
me tonight.”

Lise chimed in. “Awesome, I’ll take a mojito.”

“Three mojitos please.” Sharon leaned over the bar trying to
get the bartender’s attention.

The bartender walked over to them. “Sure. It’s an extra two
bucks if you want it made with real limes or regular price for artificial mix.”
He reached and took three glasses down from the overhead rack above him. “So
what will it be?”

Sharon winced. “We’ll have the real stuff. Why is it extra
for real limes?”

The bartender shrugged his shoulders while cleaning the
glasses with a towel hanging from his waist. “Oh you know…shortage of crops or
something like that.”

“Wow, this global warming is becoming more of a problem.”
Natalie told Sharon. 

Sharon waved it off like no big deal. She gave the bartender
her credit card and kept her eyes fixed on him, watching his every move. “They
always need some excuse to make more money.” Sharon slipped a few bucks into
the bartender’s tip jar and winked.

The bartender smiled back at Sharon and wiggled his left
finger that had a thick silver wedding band around it. “Thanks.”

Sharon pouted her lips. “Oh well.” She then turned to
Natalie. “So, have you talked to your parents?”

“Yes, the other day. I told them I got the internship and
that I planned on taking a few classes this summer and wouldn’t be coming
home.”

“This works out great.” Sharon’s eyes lighted up. “I’m going
to Europe for the summer and could use your help. Would you mind checking on my
place? You can stay there when you want and so can Lise.”

“Sure. It will be a nice break away from the dorm.” Sharon
had a rockin’ condo in downtown Austin that overlooked Lady Bird Lake. Besides
the breath taking view, the condo had a modern décor with very high-end
furniture, making it a lavish pad. Sharon, being a shopaholic, only bought the
very best.

“Great. I appreciate it. You have the code, right?”

“Let me double check.” Natalie took her cell phone out from her
wristlet.

“Please take care of it, okay?”

“Of course.” Natalie scrolled through her contacts until she
came to her aunt’s number.

“By the way, you’re welcome to stay there tonight. I’ll be
heading over to Chad’s place afterwards.” Sharon winked.

“I got it.” Natalie slid her phone back into her wristlet. “Who’s
Chad?” She tried to recall the last guy she saw her aunt with. She never kept a
guy around long enough for her to remember. Before Sharon answered, a guy with
short spikey blond hair approached her from behind.

“Hey there sexy.” He leaned forward and whispered in her
ear. 

Sharon turned around and embraced the guy. “Hi. Don’t you
look hot tonight?” She planted a big kiss on his lips and they exchanged more
PDA than Natalie wanted to see. After several awkward seconds of heavy kissing
and petting, she pulled away from him. “This is my niece, Natalie and her
friend Lise. This is Chad.”

“Hello.” Natalie waved.

“Hi.” He nodded his head at both of them briefly.

Lise stepped forward and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Chad smiled, showing his extra bright white
teeth that made his green eyes sparkle. His smooth baby face hinted that he was
at least fifteen years younger than Sharon. Knowing her taste, he had to be in
his late twenties.

“Everyone’s sitting over there. We’re waiting for our
drinks. Go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute. Do you want anything?” Sharon
fixed his collar on his shirt and then ran her long hot pink fingernails down
his chest.

“No, I got a beer.” He held up his bottle. “I’ll be waiting
for you.” He arched his brow and winked at Sharon and then slapped her on the
butt.

“Ouch.” She reached down and grabbed his rear end with both
her hands and gave it a squeeze.

“See you girls later.” He gave a quick wave and then walked
off.

Natalie nodded and Lise replied, “See you later.”

Sharon turned to both of them. “I haven’t told him that I’m
going to Europe yet. I didn’t want you all to mention it.”

“Oh. No worries. I won’t say anything.” Natalie confirmed.

Lise made a motion across her lips with her fingers like
they were zipped shut.

Sharon handed them their drinks and then held up her glass
for a toast. “Here’s to a great summer.”

“To a great summer.” Natalie tipped her glass to Sharon’s and
then to Lise’s.

She took a sip and when she lowered her glass she saw Ryan
walking from the back of the room with Sal.  She tried to tell Lise but the
words hung in her throat. She managed to motion with her head and then coughed
out, “They’re here.”

“OMG! They’re here?” Lise turned around and began checking
herself, ensuring everything was in place. “Do I look okay? Do I have enough
lip gloss on?” She smacked her lips together.

“Relax darling, you’re hot as they come.” Sharon winked at
Lise.

Natalie nodded, not giving Lise much attention to her
rambling questions. She knew they were going to run into them. Why did she
listen to Lise? She should have stayed home. Then she remembered what Lise
said; talking to Ryan didn’t mean she had to hook up with him.

Sharon’s eyes drifted over to where she had motioned to. “Aren’t
they cute? Mmmm…check out those muscles.”

Natalie rolled her eyes. Why did Sharon have to hit on every
guy she saw? She turned around and sat her drink down on the bar. The last
thing she needed to do was to drop it or spill it on herself.

“Sorry. I can’t help myself.” Sharon ran her fingers through
her short bleached out blonde hair. “At least they’re better looking than that
no good ex-boyfriend of yours.”

That comment stirred something up inside of her. Hearing
about Tony was the last thing she wanted, especially tonight. She refused to
let her thoughts ruin her night or the rest of her life.

Ryan caught her gaze and he let out a big smile. Surely he
wasn’t smiling at her? He kept his eyes fixed on her as he sauntered his way
over to them. His cowboy swagger sent her body into full emotion overdrive. A
flutter sensation swept across her body flooding her senses. Her heart froze
but she managed to smile back.

“Wow, Sal’s smokin’ hot. Isn’t he?” Lise leaned over and
whispered in her ear.

“What?”  Natalie managed to break away from her daydreaming.
That’s when reality hit. Why was she feeling this way? She had no business
getting involved with anyone. Not now. She wanted to flee but before she knew
it he was right in front of her.

“Glad y’all came. Have you been here long?” Ryan had one
hand shoved into the pocket of his jeans. He wore a trendy western shirt with
embroidery on the front of it and distressed leather cowboy boots.

She managed to choke out the words. “No, not long.”

“I almost didn’t recognize you without your glasses.”

Natalie felt her cheeks flush with heat. “Oh.” She diverted
her attention to the zipper on her wristlet, tugging at it.

“I mean… you look good. Pr- pr- pretty.”

She looked up at him and smiled. She noticed the tips of his
ears had turned a bright red. It was good to know she wasn’t the only one
nervous. “Thanks. You look nice too.”

“How’s it going?” Sal gave Natalie a smile and then turned
his attention to Lise. “Gee, you sure know how to make heads turn.” His gaze
slid slowly over her from her head to her toes.

“Thanks. So do you.” Lise flipped her long blonde waves back
and then took a sip of her drink. She held on to the tip of her straw with her
teeth, biting it. Ryan greeted her but she barely noticed. Sal had her
undivided attention.

Natalie took a few silent deep breaths, trying to calm her
nerves. Her legs felt weak and she wanted to sit down.

“Hello. I’m Sharon Warren. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh sorry, this is my… Aunt Sharon.” Natalie stated purposefully.

Ryan and Sal shook Sharon’s hand and both said, “Nice to
meet you.”

“I gotta go, Chad’s waiting on me. You kids have a good time
now.” She winked at the guys.

“See you and thanks for the drink.” Lise held up her glass.

“Oh, don’t forget you can use my place tonight.” Sharon
whispered to Natalie but said it loud enough for the guys to hear.

Natalie wanted to bury her face in her hands. She couldn’t
believe Sharon said that. She didn’t know what to say so she blurted the first
thing that came to mind. “She’s recently divorced.”

“Oh.” Ryan raised his eyebrows.

“Let me guess, she’s a cougar?” Sal asked with a grin.

Natalie busted out laughing and everyone else started
laughing too. “Yeah, I guess you can say that.”

“God bless her.” Ryan shook his head then took a drink. He
lowered his glass. “I’m sorry. Would you like something to drink?”

Natalie picked up her glass from the bar. “I have one,
thanks.”

“How about we grab a seat? That booth’s empty over there.”
Sal pointed to an area behind the bar.

“Sure.” Lise lead the way, practically running over to the
quaint seating area. Along the back wall were several booth style chairs with
overstuffed pillows and curtains draped in front of them. Dim lighting hung
above a low table in front of the curved chair, giving it a romantic feel.
Natalie knew this wasn’t a good idea, but took a seat next to Lise in the
middle of the ‘u’ shaped seat. This allowed Ryan and Sal to sit next to them.

“So, I take it you’re feeling better?” Ryan set his drink
down on the table. 

“Yes. It was a dizzy spell, that’s all.” Natalie sat perched
on the edge of the chair, struggling to keep calm and relaxed.  Her tongue
stuck to the roof of her mouth. She took a sip of her drink and noticed her
hand shaking. She put her drink down, hoping she wouldn’t knock it over. She
glanced over at Lise and Sal. They chatted back and forth like they had known
each other for years. During times like this, she wished she had a little of
Lise in her.

“Did you finish your freshman year?” Ryan tried to strike up
a conversation with her.

“Yeah.” She nodded. She wanted to get to know him, but she
was afraid.  She couldn’t get hurt again. For some reason he made her feel
nervous, which only made her more introverted. Not to mention, wearing the
short dress didn’t help either. His leg practically touched her bare thigh.

Then she remembered something she learned in speech class.
She took another sip of her drink and held onto the straw with her teeth.
Inconspicuously, she took the straw from her mouth and held it in her hand. She
fiddled and twisted the red plastic tube between her fingers, directing all her
nervous energy to it. It brought a sense of relief to her, allowing her to
relax.

She looked over at him. “What about you?”

“I just finished my second year. I took a year off and then
decided to transfer to UT.” He twiddled his thumbs for a moment and then took
another drink.

“I should have been a junior by now.” His voice was heavy.

“Oh… well at least you’re still in school.” Natalie wondered
what happened. She could tell he wanted to talk more about it but held back.
Her nervousness slowly dwindled away and she began to remember things about him
from high school.

“I heard you got a scholarship to TCU to play football. I’m
guessing that didn’t go well.” She also wanted to ask him about his high school
girlfriend, Jennifer, but refrained.