by W.J. May
***
Lise kicked Natalie’s foot under the table. “That guy keeps looking over here. He is way too cute.”
Natalie adjusted her glasses and did a quick glance over to where the guy sat. “I think I know him.”
She leaned in closer to Natalie. “You do? From where?”
“I went to high school with him.” Natalie shot another quick glance to make sure.
“You did. How lucky can you be? Did you ever go out with him?” Lise whispered.
Natalie put her hand in front of her mouth, to muffle her words. “No. He had a girlfriend. I don't even think he knows who I am.”
“Well, the guy sitting next to him is cute too.” Lise played with her hair, twirling it around her finger while glancing up occasionally at them.
She nudged Lise’s arm. “Quit staring. They know we're talking about them.”
Lise huffed and rolled her eyes, eventually turning her attention back to the front of the room. Ms. Thompson, the human resource representative for Kronberg Laboratories, spoke in a low monotone voice. After two hours of literally reading Power Point slides, she had half the room yawning, including Natalie.
The door opened and a middle aged man with salt and pepper hair sauntered into the conference room. Everyone sat up straight. It was as though he demanded everyone’s undivided attention without speaking a word.
“Mr. Hayle. I, uhhh, didn’t realize you were stopping by.” Ms. Thompson quickly perked up when she saw the sleek suited man. “Everyone, this is Mr. Russ Hayle, CEO & President of Hayle Industries and Kronberg Laboratories.”
The room erupted into a welcoming cheer. Natalie clapped her hands and stood up, like everyone else but something about him rubbed her the wrong way. Maybe it was the way he flaunted his arrogance like a proud king over his country. Prior to applying for the internship, she had done her research on this business tycoon. Although he impressed her with the empire he had built, Dr. Albin Kronberg, the scientist behind the natural supplement line, had her full attention. She couldn’t wait to meet him. Especially since she had been testing out some of his products and would be interning in his lab.
“Thank you. Thank you.” He held up one hand in the air, in a dictatorial manner. The clapping came to an abrupt stop. “I know everyone is getting great information from Ms. Thompson but I wanted to take the time and welcome each of you. This is the largest summer internship group we have hired since opening our doors.” He surveyed the room, meeting the eyes of several students. “We are expecting wonderful results from each of you in this program. While this is only a summer program, many of you will be offered an opportunity to continue working here while you pursue your college education. The rest of you may not. It all depends on your performance and I expect the best from each and every person whether you are an intern or an executive.”
Mr. Hayle continued with his elaborate and somewhat parental speech. She listened carefully, like a good student should. Even though he was an excellent speaker, he lacked in his ability to be personable and it made her feel distant rather than welcomed. Regardless, this internship was an opportunity of a lifetime. She would learn everything she could while working there.
“As a way to welcome each of you, I am inviting you to the VIP grand opening of The Regal on Sixth Street tonight.” He pulled out a stack of cards and handed them to Ms. Thompson. “I hope to see everyone there. Good luck to each of you.” He gave a quick wave and walked out the door.
“OMG. He is uber cool. I can’t believe I’m actually interning here.” Lise wiggled in her seat, smiling.
“Me either.” Natalie watched Mr. Hayle walk out of the room.
“That should wrap up orientation. Does anyone have any questions?” Ms. Thompson asked, taking her reading glasses off. “No? I guess we are done. If you need anything, my contact information is listed in your folder. I’ll stay around for a while if you have any questions. The passes for the VIP party are here in front.” She laid the cards down on the table in front of her.
Before Natalie could even get out of her seat, Lise had already made her way to the front of the room collecting a few passes. Natalie placed her folder in her backpack and zipped it up and waited for Lise.
“I know where we’re going tonight.” Lise held up the passes in front of her.
Natalie shook her head and put her purse on her shoulder. “Hmmmm, I don't know.”
“Oh, come on. Don't be a party pooper. ” Lise put her hands on her hips and pouted her lower lip.
“Excuse me.”
Natalie and Lise both turned their heads in the direction of the deep, raspy voice. Standing in front of them were the two guys from across the room. Both of them wore button down shirts and slacks that clung to their well-defined bodies. They looked like they had just finished a photo shoot for an ad in a magazine.
“Yes?” Lise smiled, her cheeks turning a slight rosy color.
Natalie tried to speak, but her voice caught low in her throat. Her heart raced and she swore it pumped so loud that everyone could hear it. Say something. Anything.
“Hello, I’m Ryan.” He stuck out his hand but she couldn’t move. Every muscle in her body tensed, including her eyes. They were fixed on him, like he had cast a spell upon her unknowingly.
“I’m Lise Turner.” She reached out her hand, nudging Natalie as she shook his hand.
“Nice to meet you Lise.” He gave her a friendly shake.
Lise turned to the other guy. “And you are?”
“I’m Sal Rodriguez. Nice to meet you.” He had short, dark hair and an olive skin tone that hinted he must be Hispanic. His style was slightly more rugged than his friend’s with a five o’clock shadow.
“Ryan? Ryan Garrett? Go Bullfrogs?” Natalie hesitated, not wanting to be wrong. If her instincts were correct, which they usually were, she knew who he was. He was the high school football star that every girl drooled over, including herself. What was he doing there at UT Austin? Last she had heard he went to TCU.
“Yeah, I thought I knew you from somewhere.” He held up his finger, pointing at her. “I’m sorry, I forgot your name.”
“Natalie. Natalie Vega.” She stuttered the words out, feeling like a complete idiot.
“Nice to meet ya.” His Texas drawl, coupled with his one dimpled smile, made her want to melt into the floor. He held his hand out again in front of her. She reached for his hand and the moment her skin touched his, a surge of energy penetrated her. A wave of dizziness flowed through her body. She stumbled backward trying to keep her balance.
“Hey, are you okay?” Ryan reached forward and caught her in his arms, before she fell back. When she felt the warmth of his embrace, everything went limp and she struggled to gain focus. A flush of heat flowed up her body, numbing her and seizing her breath. He scooped her up with little effort. Her face rested perfectly in the curve of his neck, allowing his manly scent to infiltrate her airways. It stirred up emotions she’d never felt before.
“Nat? Are you alright? Do I need to call 911?” Lise spat off a thousand questions. She tried to speak, but couldn’t get her throat to unclench. She shook her head.
She heard Sal take charge. “Come on everyone, give her some room. Can somebody get some cold water for her, please?”
Ryan lay her down gently on top of one of the tables in the conference room. He released his arms from around her, allowing his hand to slide up her back until he cradled her head in the palm of his hand. “Lay back for a moment. Just relax.”
His voice touched a part of her that made her respond willingly and freely. “Okay.” His light brown eyes caught her gaze and at that moment, something between them exchanged. It was a feeling, a relentless force, somehow bringing their souls close together. She took a few slow breaths, and with every inhalation she swore she could feel him, smell him, and literally taste him. She wondered if he felt that instant connection. By the look in his eyes, something deep within her told her he did.
“Is she okay?”
Ms. Thompson interrupted their moment. When Ryan didn’t respond, she turned to Natalie. “Are you okay?”
Natalie didn’t answer. She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off of him. It seemed like a full minute had passed before Ryan broke his gaze and turned to Ms. Thompson. “I don’t know. I mean, I think she is.”
She blinked a few times and gathered her senses. “Yeah... I’m okay. I got a little dizzy.” She rubbed her forehead with her fingers. Then she realized the small audience gathered around them. She wanted to run out of the room, but knew that wouldn’t be very smart. She struggled to get up. “I can sit up now.”
“Are you sure?” He smoothed a few strands of hair away from her face.
Her heart wanted to say no, but her head told her to say yes. She wanted nothing more than to stay right there next to him. Feel the warmth of his embrace and remain within the security of his hands. Instead she responded, “Yeah.”
He guided her up slowly.
“Do you need some water?” Sal handed her an icy cold water bottle.
“Thank you.” She took the bottle from him, but had trouble opening it. Her hands felt like JELL-O along with everything else.
“Spoiler alert. She’s fine.” Sal turned around and urged the crowd to leave. Relief flowed over her. She didn't like to be the center of attention and by the size of the crowd, she had been.
“Here, allow me.” Ryan took the water bottle from her hands and opened it with little effort. He handed it back to her.
“Thank you.” She sipped the water slowly.
“Are you okay?” Lise took Natalie’s purse off her shoulder. Somehow she managed to keep it hanging to her side.
“I’m fine. I got dizzy for a second, that’s all.” She took another sip of water.
“Do you need us to call a doctor for you?” Ms. Thompson removed her cell phone from her belt clip.
“No. I’m fine… really, I am.” Natalie insisted.
“Okay. Take it easy. We will see you in two weeks. Let me know if anything changes. You have my number and email in your folder.”
“Okay. Thank you.” Natalie smiled at Ms. Thompson, giving her that extra reassurance. She smiled back and then walked away along with everyone else still watching.
Natalie’s heart beat rapidly and her mouth was dry as cotton, despite the cold water she continued to sip. Ryan stood right next to her, which made her feel even more nervous. What had gotten in to her? Why was she feeling this way about him? She took another sip of water and kept her head down. It really sucked feeling this way around guys. For once, she wished she could be more like Lise: outgoing, fun and not afraid to make friends.
“Are you okay now?” Ryan asked hesitantly, patting her shoulder.
“Yes… yes I am.” She nodded and then swiveled around until her legs dangled off the table.
“I hope you are, because I still want to go out tonight.” Lise reached down to pick up the VIP passes she dropped on the floor.
Sal reached down at the same time she did and they bumped heads.
“Owww.” Lise grabbed her head.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you reach down.” Sal rubbed the top of his head. His cheeks reddened.
“It’s okay.” Lise shook it off and gave him a big smile.
She turned to Natalie. “Come on. Everyone will be there.” Lise glanced over at Ryan and Sal. “Are you two planning on going?”
Ryan shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. What about y'all?"
Natalie peeked out from behind her glasses, trying to gauge his interest. Gathering her courage, she lifted her head. “Ummm… maybe.”
“Okay. Hopefully we will see ya'll out there tonight.” He said with a smile and a wink.
Her mouth fell open. Did Ryan Garrett just wink at me? She couldn’t say anything, so she nodded.
“See you guys later tonight.” Lise jumped up and down on the balls of her feet. She held onto the passes like they were the winning ticket to the Texas lotto.
“See you later.” Sal shot Lise a half-smile. Lise fluttered her long faux eye lashes at him. She was hooked. Natalie shook her head, wondering why her roommate fell for guys so easily.
The moment the guys left the room Lise screamed, “OMG, how lucky can we get? Those are the two hottest guys I have ever seen. They have to be from that spirit club, what are they called,” Lise motioned with her hands.
“Texas Cowboys?” Natalie stood up slowly; making sure the dizziness had subsided. Still feeling a little woozy, she held onto the table, since her friend was too busy reminiscing about the hotties.
“Yeah, or maybe they’re football players. Did you see the muscles on them?” Lise continued to rattle on about them. “Oh, sorry. Did you need help?” Lise held out her hand.
“No. I’ve got it.”
“What happened?” Lise picked up Natalie's backpack and purse.
“I don’t know. I got dizzy all of a sudden.” Natalie tried to take her purse from Lise but she pushed Natalie’s hand away.
“I got it. Let’s get back to the dorm, grab a bite to eat, and get ready for tonight.” They made their way out of the room.
“Maybe I should stay in and rest.” Natalie walked close to Lise, just in case she got dizzy again.
“What? No. You’re going out. You're not staying home another night.”
Natalie let out a sigh. “Lise I really don't want to talk about this right now. I want to go and lie down for a while.”
Lise's shoulders sank and her backpack along with her and Lise's purse slid off both her arms. “Oh, alright. Let's get you back to the dorm.”