Reiner – Into You

“You have to cut Natalia some slack from now on. The girl just landed a fulltime job!” Queen told Jamie.

“Oh, really? Congratulations! Drinks on the house!” Jamie roared.

I wasn’t sure if he was drunk or if that was just the way he was when he drank with old friends. The three of us spent time chatting about random things but I found it to be a good way to relax. Since I could tell that Queen was tipsy and still drinking, I held back on drinking. Guess who will have to drive us back?

Kat came to our table to serve more drinks that Queen had ordered. I wondered if she would get roaring drunk with the pace that she was drinking but then maybe she has good tolerance for alcohol.

“Your man is here…by the way…” Kat whispered into my ear.

Charles is here?

“He’s not my man…” I quickly corrected.

“Yeah…whatever…” Kat teased before walking away.

I turned and spotted Charles. Unlike the other nights that he was here, tonight Charles wasn’t here alone. He was with some other guys who were probably his friends. I let out a soft sigh of relief thinking that that probably worked for the best. It might be weird to spend time with him when I’m with Queen.

She might get the wrong idea…

Just when that thought finished running through my head, I felt a presence behind me. Don’t tell me…

“You’re here as a customer tonight?” a slightly amused voice asked from behind me.

He’s here…

Great, did he just ditch his friends?

“Hey, Charles…that’s right,” I replied with a small smile after turning around in my seat to face him.

While I was struggling to think of something else to say to him, Queen’s loud voice cut right into our conversation.

“Charles? Is that you…wow…come join us!” Queen shouted in Charles’ direction.

“Oh. Queen, you’re here with Natalia?” Charles asked before smiling in her direction.

These two…they know each other?

I knew that this island wasn’t big, and the population wasn’t large but still…small world, huh?

Charles grabbed a chair and sat down right next to me at our table. He smiled at me, and I returned the favor while I wondered how tonight was going to playout for all of us.

“Natalia is my special guest. You better be nice to her too,” Queen teased.

“I’m always nice to her. Aren’t I?” Charles said before turning to look at me.

“Umm…that’s right…” I replied a little shyly.

Charles and Queen started chatting and catching up while I began to wonder how these two knew each other. They seemed to know each other well enough but since they were catching up, it was clear that it had been quite a while since they last connected.

“Let me buy you a drink,” Charles offered as he whispered close to my ear.

“You don’t need to…” I whispered back.

“I insist,” Charles said as he waved down a waitress.

“I’m trying to hold back on my drinks because Queen isn’t holding hers. I need to drive her back,” I whispered.

“I know where she lives. If you can’t drive, I’ll drive you girls back,” Charles replied unfazed.

The waitress arrived and Charles ordered drinks for us. I sipped on my drink and finally decided to let him have his way. Queen and I can always sleep in the back of the bar if we both pass out. Who cares…

“That’s an amazing dress you’ve got on,” Charles said, and I felt his eyes on my body.

“It’s Queen’s and she picked it out for me. So, if you have any complaints, you can file it with Queen over there,” I teased as I pointed in Queen’s direction.

“I don’t have any complaints,” Charles said smoothly.

We clinked our glass and drank.

“Oh, I got a job offer. You know, from the interview that I went to and that’s why Queen’s taking me out tonight to celebrate a little,” I told him.

His eyes widened and so did his smile. I could understand and appreciate why so many women were attracted to him. Apart from his looks, Charles was just so easy and comfortable to be around. He made me feel safe and always at ease.

“Wow! Congratulations. You should have told me earlier,” Charles congratulated me.

After a very fun night, Queen and I were ready to head back. Surprisingly, Queen held her alcohol very well. She was tipsy but she was well in control of herself which was surprising considering that she’d been drinking all night.

“Can you drive?” Charles asked with concern as he walked us to Queen’s car.

“Yes. I’m fine…thanks for watching out for me,” I thanked him honestly.

Charles opened the door to the car and helped Queen in.

“Thank you…you are so handsome as always…” Queen murmured.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Charles replied with a chuckle before he closed the door.

“Thanks for helping Queen too,” I said with a laugh.

“No worries. I’ll see you later sometime at the bar?” Charles said as his eyes found mine.

“Sure. I’ll be working my regular shifts,” I replied.

I don’t know about going to the bar as a customer, but I’ll definitely be there working my shifts with Kat and the others.

“Ok. I thought that you might quit working and disappear or something…you know…you just got a new job…” Charles said softly before trailing off.

Oh, did that worry him? I didn’t realize it at all…

“Don’t worry. I won’t just disappear…” I said reassuringly.

“Great. Good night, Natalia. Get home safe,” Charles said as he stepped away from the car.

“Good night…” I replied softly before getting into the car.

I could see Charles’ silhouette as he waved his hand at me when I drove off.

“He’s so into you…it’s so cute…” Queen murmured as if talking to herself.

I knew immediately that she was referring to Charles. I thought the best way to deal with this was to not deal with it. Maybe Queen is letting the alcohol do the talking right now. My attempt to simply ignore her didn’t quite work out as planned.

I heard Queen shifting in her seat and when I glanced over, she had turned in her seat and was staring directly at me.

“Charles is a great guy honestly. He’s so kind and honest plus he’s so buff and tall. If only my son was as straightforward about his feelings, maybe he’ll be popular too…” Queen said acting all sad and depressed.

--To be continued…