Chapter Eleven
Natalie
The library was really busy that afternoon, and despite the fact that I was there to study, I hadn't gotten much done. There was too much bustling around. I had four people at my table, a few of whom were only there to gossip. I needed to study, and these girls were annoying me beyond what I could deal with. I decided to give it up for the day, and head somewhere else. I began putting my books into my bag, along with the notes I had been trying to make on my story, but I hadn't been able to concentrate. I shook my head at the two girls still gossiping about Facebook statuses. They needed to get a life, and I was irritated that they ruined my study session.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed out of the library into the sun. It was a cool fall day, but the sun was shining brightly just the same. I put on a pair of sunglasses to avoid the glare, and just as I did, I saw Jet not far from me, limping awkwardly down the sidewalk. He looked like he might be in a lot of pain. I jogged over to him and walked alongside him, with a smile on my face.
“Hey, Jet.”
“Hey, Natalie, how are you?”
“I'm great. Just got finished studying ... kinda. Where are you coming from?”
“Class, believe it or not, but I think I should have just stayed in bed today.”
“Why? What happened to you? What's with the limp?”
“Ahh, I had a fight the other night, and I hurt my back. Not exactly an ideal situation, but not much I can do about it. I have spasms in my lower back, and they’re just killing me. I could not sit comfortably in class; I had to get up and leave.”
“That's shitty, sorry to hear that.” He smiled at me, and I was starting to really like his smile.
“It's all part of the game, I'm afraid. It'll heal. I think I need to go have a very hot bath.”
“I probably have a better solution.”
“What's that?”
“I can't believe I'm saying this, but my mom is a massage therapist, and she taught me how to give a pretty damn good massage. I could give you one.”
He stopped in his tracks. He literally stopped walking in the middle of the sidewalk. I almost stumbled over him. “Seriously? You want to massage me, ‘cause that's the best news I've heard in a really long time.”
“Take it easy there, cowboy, let's not get ahead of ourselves.”
“You just offered me a massage, and I am accepting it 100%.”
“Well, hold on. I'm not just offering you a massage. I'm not that foolish. I want a little give and take.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Well, what do you have in mind, little lady?”
“Here's the thing, I was invited to go to a wine tasting event with my friend, Brenda. She was the girl in the booth with me the day you bought that picture.” He nodded. “Well, she's going to be bringing a guy, sort of like their first date, but she's really nervous about the whole thing. She doesn't date a lot, and she asked that I go as well, to make sure he's not some weirdo,” I laughed nervously.
“That's a little weird,” he chuckled.
“Maybe, but I can understand. A group event relieves the pressure, ya know?”
“Actually, I don't know, Natalie.” We laughed together.
“I guess maybe you don't. But it's also different for girls; it's not always safe to go off alone with a new guy.”
“So what do you need me for?”
“Well, I'm not really the third wheel type, ya know? Plus, it might be a little awkward for the guy for me to be there. But a double date wouldn't seem like a bad thing, right?”
“Oh, I see where this is going.”
“Come on, be a sport. You'll get the pleasure of my company, plus you’ll get a massage.”
“Wine tastings aren't really my thing. Who is this guy, anyway? What kind of guy takes a girl to a wine tasting on their first date?”
I shrugged. I knew he was just playing hard to get, and that he would cave instantly if I told him to forget the whole thing. “She likes the guy, that's all that matters. So ... are you in or are you out?”
He stared at me, and I could tell that the wheels were turning in his head. I wondered if he was thinking about my hands on his body. Would that be the deciding factor? The thought of me touching him intimately, was that what was going through his head? I almost blushed at the thought.
“Please, Jet, this is a win-win for both of us. Don't make me go to this thing alone.”
“Okay, I will go. It's not my thing, but you are certainly my thing. So I will do it for you.”
“Thank you. You don't even know how much I appreciate it.” I couldn't have felt better about the situation; the last thing I had wanted was to go to the wine tasting alone. Instead, I would have a handsome guy by my side, even if we weren't together.
“So when is this little hoopla?”
“Not for a couple of days yet. Can you handle the suspense?”
He chuckled. “Not sure. The bigger question is, when are you giving me that massage, cause girl, I could sure use one right now.”
“Sorry to disappoint. But it's going to have to wait until tomorrow. I have plans tonight.”
“With who? Not another guy, I hope.”
“It's none of your business, Jet,” I winked at him.
“So tomorrow, then?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I can live with that.”
“I'll see ya tomorrow, then. Go home and have a bath,” I waved at him as I walked away.