Learning About Sharon

From Tiara Vibes. The first time I see Sharon in an unexpectedly new way.

New readers may learn about me here.

This excerpt is from our origin story, Tiara Vibes. The first chapters are available for review on my spicy publication: Tiara House, This scene documents a time a few years ago - while we still lived in the midwest and getting to know each other - just after Kona and I had our first joint streaming shows. Gus, Kona, and I were supposed to meet in BrewHearts pub, our local brewhouse, and I was starting to realize I had options to change our my life’s course when this took place...

I sat alone at my usual table by the window, nursing a dark porter and watching the brewpub fill with the after-work crowd. The clink of glasses and bursts of laughter created a wall of sound that normally felt comforting, but today had me on edge. My fingers tapped restlessly against the wooden table as I tried to sort through the tangle of thoughts in my head.

Tom Mercer’s business card burned a hole in my pocket. A real job offer from someone who seemed to actually value my skills. And then there was Kona’s little enterprise that was suddenly dumping cash into my account. Money that could change everything if I played it right.

I jumped when someone slid into the booth beside me rather than across.

“Hey there,” Sharon said, settling in with her pale ale and a small purse decorated with some cartoon character I didn’t recognize. “Hope I’m not late.”

“Plenty of seats across the table,” I pointed out, eyeing the way she’d positioned herself next to me instead of opposite.

“Oh, I can move if—”

“It’s fine,” I said, taking another sip. “Just figured you’d want the prime real estate next to Gus.”

Sharon blushed and fidgeted with her beer. “Is he coming?”

“Said he would. Should be here soon.”

She nodded, seeming oddly content to stay put beside me. Her outfit was carefully assembled—floral blouse, delicate necklace, and lip gloss that smelled vaguely of strawberries. The whole young professional woman starter kit.

“So,” I said, “marketing director at twenty. That’s impressive.”

“Twenty-two,” she corrected. “And it’s not as glamorous as it sounds. Mostly social media management and coordinating with distributors.”

I studied her over the rim of my glass. “Still. Seems like you’ve got your shit together.”

“I try,” she said with a small smile. “What about you? How’d you end up in winemaking?”

“Fell into it. Needed work, had a good nose, stayed because I was good at it.” I shrugged. “Not much of a story.”

“I think there’s more to it than that,” Sharon said, her eyes surprisingly perceptive. “You know too much to be someone who just ‘fell into it.’”

Sharon swirled her beer, her eyes fixed on the amber liquid. “Can I be honest with you, Millie?”

“Sure, princess. Honest works for me.”

She took a deep breath. “This is going to sound weird, but... I’m really into Gus.”

“Not exactly breaking news.” I smirked.

“But that’s not all.” Her voice dropped lower. “I’m also... I’m really attracted to you.”

Her hand landed on my thigh, warm and unexpected. I jerked, sloshing beer onto the table.

“Shit, I’m sorry!” She pulled back, eyes wide. “I shouldn’t have—”

“It’s fine,” I said, grabbing napkins to mop up the spill. My heart hammered against my ribs. “Just wasn’t expecting that.”

Sharon leaned closer, her voice barely audible over the bar noise. “I need someone like you in my life. An anchor. Someone real who can help me just be myself.” Her ice blue eyes held a desperate intensity. “I’m all over the place. Trying everything. Everyone.”

I raised an eyebrow, wiping the last of the beer from the table.

“You probably think I’m this perfect little professional,” she whispered, “but I’ve done things...” She glanced around before continuing. “I even tried being a cam girl for a while.”

My stomach dropped. “You what?”

“Yeah, nothing major. Just—”

“Hey ladies!” Gus slid into the booth across from us, grinning wide. His hair was still damp from a shower, and he’d put on a button-down that fit him well, for once. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic was backed up on the overpass.”

His eyes darted between us, clearly eager to impress. I forced a smile, my mind reeling from Sharon’s confession.

“No problem,” I managed. “We were just getting to know each other better.”

“By the way,” Gus said, reaching for the menu, “Kona mentioned she might stop by later. Something about discussing our next... project.” He cleared his throat, eyes darting between us.

I felt Sharon stiffen beside me. Great. Just what I needed—Kona walking into this little powder keg. I took a long pull from my beer, mind racing with the implications of Sharon’s confession. Cam girl. Just like Kona. The vineyard was apparently a magnet for digital exhibitionists.

“You okay?” Gus asked, peering at me. “You look like you just swallowed a wasp.”

“Peachy,” I muttered. “I need to grab another round. What are you drinking?”

“Oh, I haven’t even ordered yet. I’ll come with—”

“No,” I said too quickly. “You stay. Chat with Sharon. I got this.”

I slid out of the booth, needing space to think. At the bar, I drummed my fingers against the polished wood, trying to sort through this mess. Sharon and Kona in the same room, both with secrets, both trying to figure things out, and apparently Gus too. When had my life turned into this bizarre soap opera?

The bartender nodded at me. “Another porter?”

“Yeah. Please. And a Goat’s Horn Pale Ale.”

By the time I returned to the table with Gus’s IPA and my refill, they were deep in conversation, Sharon leaning forward, laughing at something he’d said. I set the drinks down and slid back into my seat.

“Forgot yours,” Gus pointed out, nodding toward Sharon’s nearly empty glass.

“I’ll get it,” Sharon said, standing. “Actually, I need to use the restroom anyway. Be right back.”

The moment she was out of earshot, Gus leaned forward. “She’s amazing, isn’t she? Smart, funny—”

“And into you,” I finished for him. “Listen, Gus, before she comes back—”

Sharon slid in next to me again, her hand coming to rest on my thigh, comfortably, naturally. “There’s a line for the ladies. I’ll try again in a minute.”

I sat frozen, Sharon’s hand resting on my thigh under the table while Gus chattered on about his headaches with the old tractor’s maintenance. My mind raced, trying to process the bombshell she’d just dropped before Gus arrived. A cam girl. Just like Kona. The world of winemaking suddenly felt very small.

“Millie? You with us?” Gus waved his hand in front of my face.

“Yeah, sorry.” I took a mouthful of beer. “Just thinking about work stuff.”

Sharon’s fingers squeezed my leg gently. “Anything you want to share?”

“Not particularly.” I shifted in my seat, trying to create some distance without being obvious. Her index finger started caressing the inside of my thigh with little back and forth movements.

The door to the brewpub swung open, and Kona waltzed in like she owned the place. Every guy in the place swung their eyes to her, her assets straining to be free beneath her crop top and designer shorts. Her hair was perfect, her entrance just so. She smiled like a lighthouse, sweeping her eyes around the room before landing on our table. Not unexpected, but she was a smoke show and she knew it.

“There’s my favorite crew!” Kona called out, making her way over. Her top showed off her toned stomach and french-cut tight shorts that probably cost more than my monthly rent. Still no slingshot, of course. And points like diamonds.

Sharon’s hand suddenly vanished from my thigh.

“Mind if I join?” Kona asked, already sliding in next to Gus. She glanced between us, her eyes lingering on Sharon. “Hey Sharon. Thanks for bringing over your group today. And I see you found our boy Gus.” She smiled brightly. “What sounds good? Any suggestions? Mills?”

I could practically feel the tension radiating off Sharon. This was going to be a disaster.

“I’m liking this porter, but it’s pretty dark. Kind of depends on whether you’re girl enough to handle it.” I smirked as I took a sip.

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Kona replied, looking at the list of craft beers on tap. “I think I’ll try one,” she said, putting down the menu.

“I’m going to check the ladies,” Sharon interjected, abruptly launching out of the booth.

“So,” Kona continued, leaning forward conspiratorially, “what were we talking about before I got here? Anything juicy?”

“You have no idea,” I said. “Are we still on for Saturday? I’ve got the numbers we need to be hitting to make our respective goals. But this probably isn’t the time to have them out on the table.”

Kona made a face. “Probably not. I’m going to go get my brew. Anything for either of you?” she said, rising from her seat.

Both Gus and I waved her away.

“Listen, Gus,” I whispered urgently, “There’s more to Sharon than you thought… Watch your step.”

He raised his eyebrows, and looked at me, like he wanted to say something just as Sharon returned, sliding into the booth and tight up against me. “Where were we?” She asked brightly, her hand again massaging my thigh possessively as she explored further up my leg.

If you like your stories five peppers spicy, you can find more of our origin story, and Tiara Melt, on Tiara House.