Star Gazing

I hope you enjoy this story.

As usual it is a slow burn without a ton of sex.

Chapter 1

***Sagan***

I reluctantly agreed to let my co-workers talk me into going across the street to the brewery after work for happy hour. Normally on a Friday evening, I would be at home working in my conservatory or planning on where to aim my telescope for the weekend.

When they asked me to come along, I wanted to say no. But the little voice of my mother inside my head is as annoying as ever. 'Go out with your friends', she always said, 'you can't live your life in a book'.

That's how I found myself at the end of the table listening to everyone else talk about life, love, and the dreams of every twenty something young adult.

The brewery was set up like an old dining hall with long narrow high top tables where everyone sat together. The concept was lacking as you couldn't have much of a conversation with anyone besides the person sitting beside or across from you. I was sitting at the end, just listening to everyone talk and laugh when a young woman approached the table across from me.

"Are these two seats taken?"

Before me stood the most beautiful lady I have ever seen in my life. She had long black silky hair, with an exotic look I had never seen before. She was impeccably dressed in business casual, although I think she would look amazing in just a burlap bag.

"No, they're all yours."

She took the seat directly across from me, and put her jacket on the seat back beside her. I figured she was waiting for her boyfriend to join her. As she sat down, she looked at me and gave me a faint smile.

"Thanks."

"You're very welcome."

I could tell she wanted to be left alone, so I did. Unfortunately for her, the other guys in the bar weren't as observant as I am.

She was sitting there for less than two minutes when the first one came up.

"Hey, can I buy you a drink?"

"No, I'm sure the waitress will be here soon enough."

He got the message by the look in her eyes and moved on. The waitress took her order, but before she came back with her drink, another decided to try his luck.

"Hi. Is this seat taken?"

"There's a coat hanging on it isn't there?"

By now, I was amused by the show.

The third guy was pure entertainment.

"Hey. I finally made it."

"Who are you?"

"The man of your dreams you've been looking for!"

I was impressed by the incredibly evil face she gave the guy. I almost laughed at how fast he backpedaled out of there. I must have been smiling at her annoyance.

"I hope you're amused."

"I'm sorry, but this is great entertainment, even if it's at your expense."

She pretended to glare at me, until another guy walked up. Before he could even open his mouth, we looked at him and both of us started laughing. He didn't even try, just turned around and moved on.

"You know, if you were a real gentleman, you would sit beside me until my friend shows up. That would help to fend off the leeches."

"How do you know those guys were all leeches? Maybe one of them was a real gentleman as well?"

"Trust me, I can tell they didn't have a gentlemanly thought in their head."

"And I look like a gentleman?"

"You do."

"I will have to work on that, I'm really trying to go for the bad boy look."

She laughed at me, we both knew that I looked nothing even close to a bad boy. A better description would be outdoorsy. I grabbed my drink, walked around and took the seat beside her.

"I'm Sagan. Nice to meet you."

"Payet. Sounds like both of our families like unique names."

"My parents were both high school science teachers. I'm named after Carl Sagan. My mother said there was no way in hell she was naming her baby Carl or Galileo, so they settled on Sagan."

"I don't have an interesting story behind mine. My mother's from India and my father's from France. They came up with a name that would sound authentic to both of their heritages."

"A French Indian? That's a combination I haven't heard before. How did they end up together?"

"My father is an assistant diplomat for the government. He was assigned to India where he met my mother. Even though they came from vastly different cultures, they immediately fell in love. When my father was reassigned, he took her with him."

"That sounds like a fairy tale love story. When did you come along?"

"My father's next assignment was in Washington DC. They were quickly married and I was born within a year."

Our conversation was interrupted by her phone going off. After a ten second call she hung up with an irritated look on her face.

"Well shit."

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah, my friend Lindsay is a traveling nurse and is in town for a couple weeks. We were supposed to have a couple of drinks and dinner to catch up, but she just got called into an emergency surgery."

"I'm actually starving to death myself. If you want to grab a table, we can have dinner."

She looked at me warily, her lips pressed together, eyes furrowed.

"And then?"

"And then what?"

"What's after dinner?"

"Well, then I will walk you to your car and say goodnight. I need to get some sleep, I have a date with a mountain tomorrow."

"OK, but it has to be Dutch, you're not buying me dinner. I'm curious now and have to hear what a date with a mountain entails."

"Dutch it is."

***Payet***

It had been a long day, and all I wanted to do was have a drink and dinner with Linday before she left town again. She's a travel nurse who found love on her ranch in Wyoming. Her and Zane have a wonderful marriage and it's been awhile since I have seen them.

She doesn't travel much anymore, but since Denver is close she occasionally spends a week or two at the local hospital when they're shorthanded. Whenever she's in town, I try to spend as much time with her as possible, jealously listening to stories of the love and new life she has found.

When she got called into surgery, I was left with a choice. Go home alone once again and try to find something to eat, or go to dinner with the first guy who has piqued my interest in the last two years.

I don't know what it is about Sagan that caught my attention. Maybe it's the fact that he looks into my eyes when he is talking to me instead of talking to my tits like many men. Or it could be that he is very articulate and easy to talk to so far. I decided what the hell, I may as well have a meal with someone besides myself for once.

We found a booth in the dining area and placed our dinner orders along with another round of drinks.

"So tell me, what's a date with a mountain?"

"I am an amateur astrophotographer, and tomorrow is almost a new moon. I have a spot up in the mountains where I set up my telescope and photograph the heavens."

"What's an astrophotographer?"

"Someone who takes pictures of universes, planets, nebulas, etcetera through a telescope. The thin mountain air here makes for optimal conditions. Would you like to see some shots I have taken?"

"I would love to."

He pulled out an IPAD and pulled up some of his work. To say that I was impressed would be an understatement. There were pictures so clear and colorful I would have sworn they came from the hubble.

"I can't believe you took all those, that's one of the coolest things I've ever seen."

"I'm flattered."

"So is there anything in particular you are going to look for tomorrow night?"

"Yeah I am going to try and get some shots of the Helix Nebula, it is also known as God's eye. Very beautiful."

"I'm so impressed. I would love to see the pictures if you are successful."

"Give me your email address and I will send them to you."

Our dinner was enjoyable. He proved to be an intelligent and pleasant dinner companion. By some unspoken understanding, both of us were careful to steer away from our personal lives. When we were done eating, I excused myself to use the restroom. Walking back to the table, he looked a little nervous and I wondered what was coming next.

"I know you insisted on Dutch, but she took my credit card and ran it without me seeing the bill first. I assumed I was just paying for mine, but she combined them both together."

At first I was annoyed until I realized by the worried look on his face he was telling the truth.

"That's fine, but just because you bought me dinner doesn't mean I owe you anything."

I tried to look angry, but couldn't help but smile a moment later as he saw right through me.

"Come on, let me walk you to your car. A beautiful woman like you shouldnt be alone on the streets this late at night."

I've been called beautiful by a hundred men. I know I'm beautiful, but more often than not it's a curse. Tonight, when he said it, I felt beautiful for once, this time though it was on the inside as well.

As he walked me to my car, I felt safe, but empty inside knowing I would be driving home alone. It's been so long since I had someone in my life. I just want someone who wants me for more than my looks. For the first time in so very long, there was suddenly someone right before me that could possibly give me what I have been looking for.

He's damn fine looking. Definitely not a bad boy like we joked about, more like the country version of Chris Hemsworth.

He was dressed in business casual, but he probably would be more at home in flannel and jeans. He has that manly country type look. Sure to his word, he walked me to my car and wished me a good night, walking away before it became awkward at all between us.

The following night, Lindsay and I were finally able to have dinner together, but my mind was still on Sagan.

"What's up with you tonight Payet? You seem so distant."

"I just feel so alone anymore. I want to find true love like you did."

"You don't remember how I suffered through high school and college all alone until I met Zane? Trust me, someday you will just find someone where you don't expect it like I did."

"I did kind of meet someone last night when you stood me up."

"Oh, and you are just now bringing him up? Spill it."

"I don't think it will go anywhere. He's not my type. We're very different."

"Different how?"

"He is the manly outdoorsy type. Today he said he is going to climb a mountain to take pictures of space all night."

"And your idea of an outdoor adventure is watching birds at the birdfeeder from your living room couch right?"

"Exactly! And he's really smart."

"Payet, you have a freaking law degree. You're smart too."

"Yeah, but it's different. He's into science and nature, not corporate law."

"Did he seem interested in you?"

"I really didn't give him the chance. I always have my guard up and made it pretty clear I wasn't interested in anything besides dinner."

"How are you going to find someone if you always make it seem like you're not interested?

"Good question."

"Why do you seem interested in this guy if you two are so different?"

"Because he actually treated me like a person instead of a piece of ass. Our conversation flowed so easily, I felt like I could talk to him without having to worry about being judged or talked into having sex the first night I met him."

"Are you going to see him again?"

"I doubt it. I gave him my email to send me his pictures, but I would be surprised if I ever heard from him again."

"Are his pictures interesting?"

"My god, they are so cool I have never seen anything like it. He takes pictures of all these galaxies that look like they should be in a science fiction movie."

"Well, if you get his pictures and it goes anywhere, keep me posted."

"I will, but don't hold your breath."

***********

Sunday, I had just finished lunch when I did indeed get an email from Sagan.

Hey Payet,

The night sky was amazing and I got some great shots. Hope you enjoy them.

Sagan

The photos he took were breathtakingly beautiful. I totally understood why the nebula had the nickname 'God's Eye'. I decided to send him back an email letting him know how much I admired his work.

Hey Sagan,

Those are so amazing, thank you for sharing. I googled the Nebula to see what you were looking for, but your pictures are so much clearer than the site I looked at. Please send any future photos, I love them. It makes me realize how small we really are in the big picture.

Payet

Surprisingly for once, I had a good night's sleep. When I crawled into bed and snuggled up to my favorite pillow, I thought of Sagan while I laid there. The fantasy of me being held in his arms made me quickly drift off.

Monday, as soon as I got to the office in the morning I was besieged by a couple of my single co-workers.

"I can't believe you had dinner with the golden boy."

"What are you talking about?"

"You had dinner with Sagan the other night. You've been holding back on us."

"Not really. I met him at the bar and we decided to have dinner when my friend got stuck at work. Who is he?"

"He is the chairman's right hand man, a financial genius who turns everything he touches to gold, that's why he has the nickname of golden boy."

"I've never heard of him before. To me he's just a guy I met at the bar."

"Well if you aren't interested, introduce us, we are."

"I probably wont ever see him again to be honest."

Inside, I was hoping that I would, the sooner the better.

Chapter 2

***Sagan***

I was pleasantly surprised with my dinner with Payet. Not only is she sexy and beautiful, but she is extremely intelligent with a great personality. Dinner quickly flew by as we talked about a range of topics.

It was refreshing how genuinely interested she was in my photos. Most people give them a polite but unenthusiastic response, but I could tell she truly appreciated them. Since she acted genuinely interested and asked for my pics, I went ahead and sent them to her Sunday afternoon.

She loved them, and surprised me by looking up the Nebula to get an idea of what I was photographing.

Looking ahead to the weekend, the weather forecast was cloudy and rainy, which meant I would have a weekend at home in my conservatory. I will gladly give up this weekend as long as the skies are clear for next weekend's full moon.

Thursday afternoon I received an unexpected email from Payet.

Hey Sagan,

What are you going to be photographing this weekend? Send me more pics when you get back please. I have one you sent me last weekend set as my screensaver on my computer and love it.

Enjoy

Payet

How flattering, I have several of my favorites framed and hanging in my office and at home, but I think this is the first time someone else has enjoyed them this much. I sent her an email back.

Payet,

Weather forecast looks like clouds and rain, so I will spend the weekend at home in my conservatory. Hopefully it will be nice for the full moon next weekend. Even though I have photographed it a hundred times, it's still my favorite subject.

Sagan

I found myself becoming distracted by the thought of Payet. I have pretty much given up dating, every relationship always ends badly for me. I finally decided it wasn't worth the pain and drama anymore. I'm content being alone, but something about her woke up a yearning I haven't felt for a long time.

I was sitting there daydreaming instead of working when my email chimed again.

Sagan

What's a conservatory? Since you are stuck in town, are you interested in happy hour and dinner again tomorrow night? This time I'm paying!

Payet

I thought screw it, what do I have to lose? The worst thing that could happen was our second dinner would be boring.

Payet

A conservatory is just a fancy name for a greenhouse attached to your house. Happy hour and dinner sounds fine if you let me at least buy the first round of drinks. I'm not sure when I get out of here on Friday's, it could be anytime between four and five. Want me to meet you there?

Sagan

I had been so engrossed in our emails that I was almost late for a meeting. I hated almost everyone I worked with, crusty old men who had been in the industry for decades. The problem is they are stuck in the past and resistant to any new technology or ideas. I think that's why the owner recruited me so hard out of college, he wants me to shake things up.

My boss gives me free reign with the portfolio I manage, but during our daily meetings we share what companies we are trading in and why. A few of my more critical coworkers have started taking positions opposite of mine. I hate it, because almost every time they do they end up losing money for the company. We all know they are doing it just to spite me.

By the time I was done arguing with them about my positions, I was ready to just get home and relax for a bit. I grabbed the elevator down and thought I should have taken the stairs. This time of day it seems to stop on every floor.

I thought I had almost made it when sure enough it stopped on the third floor. To my pleasant surprise Payet stepped in.

"Payet. Hi. I didn't know you worked here."

She grinned at me.

"You would if you read your last email."

"Yeah, my afternoon got kind of busy and annoying. I just wanted to get out of there and go home."

"Stressful day?"

"Just a meeting with annoying co-workers."

"I know exactly how you feel."

"Walk you to your car?"

"That would be nice, thanks."

"Since I didn't read your email yet, what's the plan for tomorrow night?"

"I thought you could just stop in my office when you're ready and we will walk over together."

"That makes it nice and easy since we work in the same building. I will see you tomorrow, Payet. Goodnight."

"My cell number is in the email, just text me when you are on your way down so I don't make you wait."

***Payet***

As different as Sagan and I are, I still feel a spark with him. I spent a little extra time getting ready for work, knowing I would be meeting him later this evening for drinks and dinner. I always take pride in how great I dressed and looked. Today I was satisfied with the results from my extra efforts.

Amy and Heidi are two of my single co-workers, and they could tell something was going on with me. They never make small talk with me, so when Amy tried I knew she was up to something.

"So Payet, what are you doing this weekend?"

"No real plans, probably try to do some cooking, work on some new recipes."

"You're not going out with Sagan again this weekend?"

"We're going to happy hour and dinner tonight, but I wouldn't call it a date."

"I see."

Time in the afternoon seemed to crawl by. I can't remember the last time I was this excited to meet up with a guy. I felt kinda silly considering it wasn't an official date, just happy hour and dinner.

Finally, a few minutes before five my phone finally chimed.

Sagan: 'Hey, on my way down. See you in a few min.'

I was ready to go, so I quickly shut down my laptop and headed towards the elevators. As I walked to the elevator, I noticed Amy and Heidi quickly getting ready to leave as well.

When the elevator arrived with Sagan on it, they were right behind me.

"On your way to happy hour Payet? Would you mind if we joined you?"

Ambushed.

I'm one of those people that's always pleasant, never wanting to be rude or rock the boat. As much as I wanted to say go get bent, I didn't. I looked apologetically at Sagan.

"Sure yeah if we can find a table for us all."

Secretly I hoped they would be packed, leaving them no choice but to leave us alone, but sure enough one of the high tops had four empty chairs on an end. Before I could react, Heidi sat beside Sagan, with Amy taking the seat directly across from him. I was left with the only chair diagonally across from him.