Page 3 of Space Junk: Houston, We Have a Hottie
The corner of the girl’s mouth quirks up. “Sorry, a Southern habit. I ‘ma’am’ everyone, even those celebrating their twenty-first birthday.” She jerks her head to the side and I follow the direction. There, in the midst of a large, rowdy group that gives me shivers just to look at is a young woman, head back laughing, tiara on her blond hair and a sash across her chest that reads “Legal.”
I smile. “I’ll take being called ma’am if it lumps me with her. She seems to know how to have a good time.”
“I don’t know how much longer you’ll feel that way.” Her Southern drawl is like the slow trajectory of a rocket into space, every one-syllable word stretched to two. “With the way she’s going, it won’t end pretty.”
“Ah, but that’s the joy of twenty-one, isn’t it?” Not that I’d know. My twenty-first birthday consisted of studying for exams and a Happy Birthday text from my father.
I look back at the waitress, who doesn’t seem to be looking at the blonde anymore. Once again, following her lead, I turn back to the group and spothim.
Holy crap-o-la.
All rational thoughts leave me.Himbeing a clichéd tall drink of water. He stands toward the back of the group, beer bottle in hand, leaning against the wall. There must be some sort of technical manual all men read—Chapter One: How to lean against a wall andnotlook like an idiot.
He has to be over six feet, with hair cut short around the sides but still long enough on top to feel good if I ran my fingers through it. Not like that would happen. But a girl can dream.
There are flashing lights around the bar, so I can’t make out details too well, but Icanmake out the solid block of muscle beneath a long-sleeved Henley—sleeves pushed up his forearms. Though not tight, his jeans are fitted. And of course, cowboy boots.
Sigh.
He reminds me of one of those twinkling stars that catches your eye at night. Even now, with all our telescopes and technology, we have no idea how many stars exist. They are uncountable, the universe so vast. And yet, there are always those that twinkle and draw the eye within the sea of zillions. This guy is like one of those stars.
“Dang.”
“You can say that again, ma’am.” The waitress laughs, causing her precarious updo to waver.
I cringe, not realizing I said that out loud.
The waitress is smiling at me, so I decide not to be too embarrassed. Instead, I suck it up and think,What would Jules do?
I straighten my shoulders. “Okay, I take it back, no more ma’am. I’m Jackie.” I thrust out my hand. My dad always stressed the importance of a handshake. The girl looks surprised, but tucks her drink tray under her arm and reaches out with her own.
“Trish.” We shake hands once.
“Nice to meet you, Trish.”
Trish withdraws her hand and tilts her head, looking over my white Converse, jeans and Stanford T-shirt, before looking to the empty stool beside me. “Are you meeting friends or something, sugar?”
“Uh, no.” I look down at my empty glass. “Why do you ask?”
“Just surprised to see a pretty girl by herself. You new here?”
My cheeks get hot.Pretty.I decide I like Trish. “Sort of. I’ve lived here for about a year now, but I haven’t gone out much. Been busy at work. But I guess if I’m going to start Operation Social Life, I best make some changes. Maybe even get some boots.”
“Operation Social Life?” Trish asks, lips twitching.
“Yep.” I nod. “Just made that up. My friend Jules says I’m stuck. Static.” I look at the twirling dancers.
“Static?”
“Static. Unmoving, stationary, a body at rest, if you will.” I turn back to Trish, who now seems to be holding back laughter. “What?” I glance back down at my shirt. “Did I spill something?”
“No, no, sugar. I just like the way you talk.” When she smiles, it isn’t the smile of someone laughing at me (and believe me, I know those), but with me. And that feels good.
“I also like the way you talk. It’s what I imagine a fixed-width binary code would sound like.”
“Uh, thank you?” Trish shifts her weight to accommodate a man with a waist as wide as his hat brim walking by. “Where is this Jules, then? Shouldn’t she be here ushering in your new social plan?”
“In space.”
