Element, Part 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

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