Beyond the Stars (5 page)

We were having a great time. However, I was definitely getting a little buzzed because I rarely drank alcohol. I always worried about it killing my brain cells. I did get drunk once before from wine at an Italian restaurant. It gave me such a terrible hangover the next day that I vowed never to drink that much again. It was a long time ago … maybe it was just the wine. I tried to give myself a rational excuse to continue.
Surely a few drinks won’t kill me
. Two cosmos later, I realized that I was undeniably drunk. It was getting late, and the band took over the music for the DJ for the evening.

“Good night, all. I’m gonna head out.” Michael pushed himself out from the table. “My posse awaits me at home,” he said, referring to his wife and son. He was proud that he had something better to go home to, unlike the rest of us. He was right. Roland was divorced, Brian’s wife was out of town visiting her parents, and the rest of us were pathetically single. Michael was the kind of man who would never take his family for granted. He talked about his wife as though he had tricked her into marrying him. I was often shocked by his apparent insecurity. I searched for a reason. Maybe it was because his wife was ten times better looking than him. I never judged him by his appearance. But, physically, Michael was just your average skinny, nerdy, plain-looking guy. I overlooked his outward traits because his kindness, impressive intellect, and remarkable problem-solving skills greatly overshadowed his looks.

“
Ah
, you party pooper,” teased Josh.

“Good night,” the rest of us replied, understanding his urgency to leave.

Roland and Josh eagerly stood up and said in unison, “I’ll walk you out.” I watched as they walked all of ten feet, only to stop to talk to some women at another table. I wondered how long they’d been planning
that
move.

“I’ll be right back,” said Tess. “Do you want to come with me, Sami?” Tess offered before heading to the ladies room.

“No, thanks, I’m fine,” I called after her while remaining safely in my chair.

Brian challenged Noah to a game of pool. Noah jumped on the game. I wondered if Brian realized how competitive Noah was. He loved to show me up when he could recite information he’d read from the red orientation binder without even opening his book.

“I guess this just leaves you and me.” Jack smiled as he leaned across the table towards me.

“Yep.” I sighed. I quickly hid my smile with a sip from my drink to cover up my excitement at being alone with the striking man. The alcohol took away my ability to think. Wonderful, I couldn’t have picked a worse time to get drunk.
Ahh
, I needed to focus so I wouldn’t make a fool out of myself. I sat up straight in my chair, tried not to fidget, and pretended to be in control.

The music was blaring, and Jack wasted no time before he slid over to the chair next to me. “I’m sorry. I need to move closer so I can hear you. It’s so loud in here. I think I’m going deaf.” He chuckled.

I nodded. “How long have you been working for the SIG?” I asked, saying the first thing that came to mind.

“Almost four years now,” he answered. “What are
you
doing at SIG?”

“I’ve just started working in the physics department.”

“Lord,
help me
, beauty and brains,” he stated, staring up at the ceiling as if he were in prayer. “Where do they find them?”

“What do you mean?” I asked sheepishly. I couldn’t help feeling flattered.

“You know,
people like you
… people who have won the genetic lottery.” His smile and breathtaking eyes made me melt inside.

“You didn’t do too bad yourself.” I couldn’t help flirting with him. I was feeling so relaxed and braver than normal.

“Oh yeah, I think I might have skipped a few lines when they were handing out bodies. I’m working with Noah right now, remember? That guy is freakishly smart—I can’t even keep up with him sometimes. The kid has an answer for everything. And he seems buddy-buddy with you, so I know
you
must be one of them.” He squinted his eyes while he leaned toward me, delivering his acquisition.

“So what if am? I can’t change who I am.” I decided to play along. “Being smart isn’t a crime.” I slid my hand up his thigh as I spoke. I immediately felt embarrassed by my forwardness. I thought I saw his lips turn up in a grin, but he pretended not to notice. Wow, I was definitely drunk. I fought to focus harder on keeping my hands to myself before I molested the poor guy.

“No, I guess not, but I’m just hoping you find me interesting enough.” He watched me carefully for a reaction.

“You look like you can hold your own,” I replied, flirting again. Why could I not control myself around this man? Fine, I guess I found his charm even more irresistible when he seemed so interested in me.

“Sure, I’m doing okay, but I got where I am by hard work. You know, the slow,
boring
way. I actually have to open books and even read them. They don’t just enter me through osmosis,” he continued to tease.

“Oh, what a shame. That must be really hard for you.” I tilted my head empathetically.

“Yes, terrible,” he said, looking at me with a frown and sad puppy-dog eyes.

Quickly, his face brightened up when the music changed. “Hey, beautiful girl, do you care to dance?” he said seductively, impatiently waiting for my response.

“Yes, I’d love to,” I said without thinking.

He stood up and reached for my hand. I stood up too suddenly, causing the alcohol to rush directly to my brain. Oh, this was bad. I hoped I could walk, let alone dance. I reflexively squeezed his hand and leaned on it for support. He didn’t even seem to notice, because he was much larger than me when we stood up. I couldn’t help notice how rough and callused his hands were. He must do a lot of work with them. I followed behind him as we walked to the dance floor, thinking how I must be careful not to embarrass myself
. Please don’t trip
, I thought before I took each step in the dimly lit room. We reached the floor, and Jack spun me around to face him. The band played a song that sounded Brazilian. I had never heard it before. Jack naturally moved his hips, keeping in beat with the rhythm. He was a good dancer, so I just followed his lead. His confidence was enough for the both of us.

Jack smiled when the tempo of the Spanish guitar slowed. He pulled me softly into his body for the slow dance. Little did he know, I was grateful for his extremely close proximity. Now I could use his body to stay up-right. He guided me across the floor with ease. The alluring music lowered my guard, making his moves even more captivating. “Who knew I’d get to dance with such an amazing woman tonight?” he said, looking down at me.

“Thanks,” I responded and then turned my head to the side and leaned my cheek against his muscular chest. I spotted Tess back at the table. She was busy talking to someone herself. She shot me an approving look and gave me a slight nod.

“So do you want to go to Space someday, Sami?” Jack asked.

“Um … no,” I admitted hesitantly. There was no use in lying. “I’m not crazy about flying, and just the thought of going up into Space …
no way
.”

“What?
Really?
Amazing! Almost everyone I know is biting at the chance,” he said, looking surprised. “You really are interesting.” He stopped dancing and pulled me from his chest in order to look down at my face.

“I’m happy staying on the ground. So thanks, but no thanks.” The fascination to travel into Space resided in everyone but me. I liked the challenge my job demanded in designing Outer Space living quarters but never felt drawn to experience it firsthand. He remained silent for a moment before he pulled me closer to continue dancing.

“Did you know that I was a pilot in the Air Force before I became an aeronautical engineer? Actually, I still fly with the reserves,” he said, waiting for my reaction.

“Oh, really, that must be exciting.” I tried to be convincing, but it was too late. It came out sarcastically. I had already let my true feelings be known.

“I fly an F-22 Raptor. It’s such a rush. It’s an amazing craft, packed with raw power. It has stealth technology, integrated avionics, and supercruise,” he said, probably trying to impress me. If he wasn’t so beautiful, his comment would have fallen on deaf ears.

“What’s supercruise?” I faked an interest out of courtesy.

“It allows for sustained supersonic flight without the use of an afterburner,” he answered happily as he succeeded in gaining my attention.

“Wow, you’re kidding. You go
that
fast?”

“Absolutely. I live for it. Hey, I would love to help you get over your fear of flying. I could take you out on a small plane sometime,” he said.

“I’d rather not.” I shifted uncomfortably at the thought.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said softly into my ear like he was making a promise.

“Great,” I said sharply. “Would you
trust
me?”

“Maybe,” I said, wanting to keep him guessing. “After all, you are still here. You must know how to land a plane.”

He laughed at my sarcasm and then twirled my hand and spun me around, only to turn me back to face him again. He smoothly pulled his arm in on my lower back and brought me into his chest. His moves had finesse. We continued dancing, but not speaking. I snuggled in closely to his body. I occasionally glanced up at his face a few times, only to have him look back at me with tender eyes. We danced until the band took their break.

We returned to the table. Tess was there talking to a man dressed in a business suit. He barely took his eyes off her to say hello to us when we sat down.

“Sami, we were thinking of going to get a bite to eat. Do you want to come with us or I could take you home first?” offered Tess politely.

“I could take her home,” Jack quickly volunteered and then looked at me, awaiting my answer. I didn’t know what to say. We’d just met. Our eyes met as I tried to determine if I could
trust
him.

“Oh, okay, sure. Thanks, Tess, but I’ll be fine. I’ll just get a ride with Jack. Don’t worry about me.” I didn’t want to be a third wheel and wasn’t ready to leave. I really wanted to spend more time getting to know this interesting man.

CHAPTER 4

MAGIC

Jack and I continued to ask about each others passions. “I want to know everything about you,” he said with sincerity.

“What you see is what you get.” I shrugged my shoulders.

“
Fine
, I’ll go first,” he responded, probably sensing my discomfort. He told me he was raised as a military brat. His father was in the Air Force and had moved around a lot when he was growing up. He sadly told me of how his mother died of ovarian cancer when he was only twelve. He and his little brother basically grew up in military school after that. I felt like he was carefully editing his past because he was embarrassed by his lack of family life. Jack graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering while he completed his military obligations for the Air Force. I could see that he would be an asset to his field and why he was offered a job by NASA after he completed his degree. He joined the SIG when rumors of budget cuts threatened potential layoffs at NASA. He said he loved the challenges his job offered him. His experience as a pilot proved ideal for designing structures that were both ergodynamically friendly and aerodynamically sound. He told me he was still in the Air Force reserves. He said he also worked as a test pilot, trying out new technology for aircraft at Mojave Air and Space Port. I must say, he was built for it, being both fearless
and
intelligent.

I was starting to feel tired and looked down at my watch. No wonder; it was hours past my normal bed-time. Jack noticed, grabbed my wrist, and turned my arm to glance at my watch, too. “
Jeez
, it’s almost two in the morning, Sami. I should take you home. I’m sorry I kept you out so late,” he said apologetically.

“Time really does fly when you’re having fun.”

I smiled at him.

We walked to find his car and start on our way home. I hung on his arm so I wouldn’t get dizzy and fall.

I was relieved to see him open the passenger’s side door of a black Acura for me. Sure, I was impressed by him being such a gentleman but even happier that the ride home had promised to be a little gentler than my journey in Tess’s Porsche. Jack’s driving made me relax even more. He didn’t drive fast but not overly slow either. He seemed to be aware of everything around us. I imagined him maneuvering a plane in the sky with great skill. We talked in the car the whole way back to my apartment. Jack walked me to my door. Before I could put my key in the lock, he grabbed me as he had earlier on the dance floor, so elegantly, and kissed me delicately on the lips. He pulled his face away to check on my expression, carefully studying my eyes. I responded by running my hand through the back of his hair to pull him back down and kiss him again. This time, he pressed his lips firmly to mine. I got goose bumps and felt a rush when he responded to my advance. This kiss was much longer and passionate.