Kristen tried to maintain an expressionless face as she watched the senior boys while waiting for her daughter. Had it really been almost twenty years since she had been in high school? She studied their strong bodies through her sunglasses, the easy way they laughed, their eyes following the occasional girl as she walked by. She would have to talk to her daughter about boys again when they got home. Now that Ashley was starting high school, she needed to be sure to understand how boys were. Kristen's mind drifted back to her glory days, when she was young and wild and carefree. All that had changed with Ashley, of course, a youthful mistake that sent her from being a Dean's List freshman to an unemployed single mother. Now, of course, she wouldn't change it for all the world. Ashley waved and walked to the car, and Kristen flinched internally as the eyes of some boys following her. Definitely would be having a talk when they got home.
That night, before bed, Kristen studied herself in the mirror. Her talk with Ashley had dredged up even more memories. Going to parties, getting drunk, fooling around with guys. Good times. Basically everything she had just warned Ashley about. She looked at her body, the dreaded big four-oh looming just a few years away. She still looked good, she thought, even with those few extra pounds she was carrying. Good for a woman her age, anyway. Blonde, petite and fairly fit, she could still turn heads, even if her body couldn't match her younger days. Her mind wandered idly to those seniors hanging around after school, wondering if she still had what it took to turn their heads. Then she laughed, remembering that guys would chase any piece of tail. Maybe she should try one of those dating apps she had heard so much about. It had been too long. Too many nights turning to the comfort of her little friend, as she would again tonight.
Months passed and it was time for the company's big "End of the fiscal year/Thanksgiving Day" party, hosted by one of the owners of the firm, Mr. Lowry. She had been incredibly lucky to land a job there just as they were getting off the ground. She, and her salary, had grown with the firm, which now employed almost eighty. The job had ensured that she could support herself and her daughter in comfort, if not luxury. In fact, Mr. Lowry had been her first boss. He, like the other four investors, were now very wealthy, and they made sure that the firm shared the profits with their workforce. As she exited her ride, she smiled again to herself, appraising the mansion. She walked up the driveway to the house, joining the first of dozens of her colleagues, some of whom she supervised. Ashley had been sent off to spend the night with gramgram, so all was clear for a night of celebration, though she planned to be home by eleven at the latest. She was dressed smart, in a charcoal pinstriped skirt suit, white blouse. While it was a party, it was still an office function, and she needed to look appropriate. And, it might get cooler later in the night.
She smilingly accepted a glass of wine from a waiter and then wandered the estate, getting the lay of the land. The party was in the mansion's expansive backyard. All told a couple hundred guests were expected. She greeted guests as she met them, engaging in small talk. A handsome young man, unfamiliar, approached her.
"Hello," she smiled politely.
"Good evening, Ms. Summers. Are you enjoying the party?"
She flustered, trying to place his face. If he knew her name, she should know his. Or at least recognize him.
"I...yes, very nice. The Lowry's certainly throw an excellent soirée."
"It is a lovely spread, isn't it? Have you stopped by the cheese bar?"
"No, not yet."
Her mind reeled. Usually she was very, very good at remembering name, but he did not look familiar. He led her over to a tent, explaining that the cheese was sourced from local farms. Meanwhile, she was trying to figure out how he knew her name. Had he been one of the interns she had interviewed, however briefly? She didn't think so. This young man was tall, broad shouldered, and very handsome. Well-dressed, wearing a suit that fit, not baggy like most boys his age. He even wore a tie with a half Windsor knot, properly tied. Surely if he had been one of the interns she would have noticed. He couldn't be much more than a freshman in college. Finally, she could bear no more.
"I'm sorry, have we met? I'm afraid I can't place your name?"
"Oh, well then," he frowned playfully, "Apparently I didn't impress you as much as you impressed me."
"Apparently. So your name is?"
"Apparently not important," he shrugged with a grin, offering a toothpick. "Cheddar?"
She returned his smile in kind, appreciating the insolence. She took the toothpick from his hand, his fingers even brushing hers momentarily. He watched her mouth as she chewed. Mirth was evident in his eyes as he finished his drink.
"Well, Ms. Kristen Summers, my drink is empty. I'll excuse myself for a refill. Perhaps there are other more...," he winked, "memorable guests for you to meet."
And with that the cheeky boy smiled and walked away, leaving her grinning. She wondered idly if he had a resume. Any man that young who could tie a half Windsor was a man with potential. Heck, neither of the two MBAs they had recently hired could manage that. Then, moments later, another thought struck her. Was he flirting with her? The audacity! Time to get her cougar on, she smirked to herself, watching him retreat. Her mind immediately went into the gutter, fueled by her recent passion for reading stories of women like her seducing young men like him. He looked like a fun one to break her dry spell with. Her thoughts were interrupted as Ben and Mandy greeted her.
Later, she was talking with Mr and Mrs Lowry by chocolate fountain, sharing her appreciation for the fabulous evening.
"Ah, there you are, my boy. That's not alcohol, is it?"
"No sir, just coke."
Kristen gawked at the young man as the pieces suddenly fell into place. "Oh my God, Ben Lowry! Look at you, how you have grown!"
"How are you doing, Ms Summers," he smiled.
"I...no wonder I couldn't place your face, it's been what, a decade? What are you doing now?"
Ben smiled and tilted his head but his mother cut him off.
"He's at the university," she exclaimed with the glee of a proud mother, clutching Kristen's arm. "On scholarship for baseball!"
"Mom."
"And he is starting at third base!"
"Mom, stop."
"He's going to make the Dean's List..."
"Mom. Okay, I need a refill. Dad?"
Mr. Lowry grinned and turned with his son as Mrs. Lowry continued to gush about Ben. Kristen watched him leave, her mind jumping back years, when she was still just starting out with the firm. A conflict of schedules had resulted in little Ben being dropped off at the company for a few hours every afternoon. He would sit in the waiting area outside his father's office with her as she manned the desk. He had been such a well-behaved little kid. Ben had been an accident, almost eight years younger than his older sister. They had gotten along well, and she would sometimes help him with his school work. She had gotten to know him over that season, but she hadn't seen him since. No wonder she couldn't place his face, the little boy was now a strapping young man. The cougar in her purred again.
Later, after the party filled up, the owners each made a brief speech, highlighting the successes of the past year and the goals for the next year. Kristen finally took her second drink, enjoying the conversations with other people. The night waned, and people started to head out. She idly looked across the yard and saw him, talking with some other people. She admired him for a moment, noting how he had grown. Smiling to herself, distracted, she belatedly noticed he was looking back at her. She felt her cheeks flush as she snapped her head back around to the people she had been talking with.
Caught! Oh my God!
Her little group broke up and a wicked thought crossed her mind. She looked back at him, waiting until he turned, and casually licked her lower lip while she made eye contact. She then smiled and walked away, feeling his eyes on her back.
Come here, little cubby. I won't bite.
A thrill shot through her core. It was fun to play, even though nothing was ever going to happen.
A few minutes later he was in front of her. Kristen smiled up at him.
"Hello, Ben."
"Hello."
"So what brought you back?"
"Thanksgiving break. Back for the weekend."
"Nice. No girlfriend along?"
"No."
"Back at college? No?" He shrugged his shoulders in response. They started to walk away from distractions and towards the pond.
