Element, Part 1 Read Online Free PDF

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