"Pearl, earth to Pearl" Rhys said but Pearl couldn't find words. "You look a little peaked. You ok?"
"Yes. I'm fine." She finally managed to get out. "You're looking for a house here? In this area?" "Not too far from here, yes." He put his hands on her shoulders. "You don't look too happy about it. I guess I was expecting a different reaction maybe? Ah I get it. You enjoy the luxury suites when you come and see me. I can assure you, we can still do that." His usual upbeat demeanor took a turn downward. "No it's not that. I just...am surprised, You know?" Pearl was definitely that. "I told you I was here to surprise you!" He joked. "Really though, Rhys" Pearl was just going to put it out there "what's wrong with you? There has to be something wrong with you. You're beautiful. Like, a Michelangelo statue type beautiful, you're a movie star, you're always positive...I seriously think you may have the best personality a human being has ever possesPearl was freaking out. This was not what she was prepared for. She should have been. It had been her naivety about the entire thing that got her here. She didn't see him as a celebrity even though she knew he was one. She pulled out her phone and called Janie. No answer. She pulled up her texts to send so thing to Dylan. He would help. But then she remembered and reread the text he sent last night that she didn't respond to. She was so exhausted after all she had dealt with yesterday. She felt horrible now rereading it. "Hey Pearl, hope you have a great night. I'll be awake for a little while if you want chat."She texted and tried to call him. Nothing. Ugh. She walked back to her Jeep and drove to the brewery where Dylan worked. It was a half hour drive from her place but she needed to talk to him. She also had this feeling she needed to explain herself to protect him in some way. She arrived at the brewery to see Dylan sitting at the bar, with a cup of coffee. "Thank G
They finished dinner and got back into the limo. She figured now was a better time to bring up the magazine. The night had been a whirlwind and she hadn't the chance yet to talk to him about it. "Rhys, do you pay any attention to gossip magazines?" She asked. He looked at her and grinned slightly. "I hear things about me sometimes. Usually on social media and online entertainment sites. I'm taking it you saw the article in the National Inquisitor?""Yes. I saw it today. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet." Pearl admitted. "It's something that I'd love to be able to protect you from. Hell I'd love to protect me from it, too. But you know I can't. And you have to know that's a part of all this. With me. Is that something that you can handle?" He asked as he grabbed her hand. "I don't know, honestly. I've never been in a situation even close to this. I don't really know what to say about it" Pearl said, being as honest as she could. She was terrified but didn't want to mak
Pearl awoke to Rhys bustling around the suite on his phone. "Yep sounds great! We will be there. You have all the info for the offer if it works out, right? Good. Thanks Bill. You rock." Pearl made her way out to main room. "Coffee" she said. "Well good morning to you too, babe. There's coffee over on the room service tray. And breakfast. I figured you might be hungry." Rhys gave her a big hug. Pearl made her self a cup and walked to where Rhys was sitting. "So what are we doing today? And I'll need to grab a change of clothes if you're taking me anywhere in public." Pearl said. She had texted her assistant late last night and told her she wouldn't be coming in today. Ashley seemed a little shocked but she said she would handle everything. "We can head to your place or you can borrow a shirt of mine." He suggested. He walked over and pulled a Tom Waits t-shirt out of his closet. She loved it, actually. "That'll work." She said. "Ah, we are at the stealing my clothes phase of our rel
Pearl settled into the hot bath and put the cool wine bottle on her forehead. The day had been overwhelming to say the least. Rhys dropped her at her apartment on the way home from seeing his new giant mansion. He had a meeting in Chicago that evening and wouldn't be back until late into the night. He offered to stop by when he got back into town but she told him she was happy to have some time to herself after the day they had. He understood and he kissed her forehead and told her he'd see her tomorrow. She checked her phone and she still hadn't heard back from Dylan. It bothered her. The whole thing bothered her. His reaction to her at the brewery and his lack of a response. It really bothered her. Why would he work so hard to build a bond with her and say all those things just to go back to being a dick? Her phone dinged and she saw it was a text from David. "You've been on my mind. I just wanted you to know that. I miss you. I hope you've had a good week." Pearl didn't know how
Pearl slammed her purse down onto the counter. She was furious. What did she do to him to make him treat her this way? He was being such a dick. She was so happy about the bond that was growing between them. He was in her mind constantly, even when she was with Rhys and David. The journal he gave her. What he said. Why was he purposely screwing with her head? She was hurt. He knew her past. She told him the truth about all of it. Even about Rhys and David. This was so unfair.She poured a glass of wine and sat in her chair. She thought about Rhys. He was perfect. He was literally Prince Charming. She still wasn't able to believe he was real and he barely knew her. It was too much, too fast. It had been two weeks. TWO WEEKS and he was having her help him pick out a house. No way. Not real. And David. She cared about him so much, but was torn on his disingenuous nature and the drama in his life. She knew him the longest of the 3, but his relationship with her felt the most
Pearl woke up to him gathering his things. "Good morning." Pearl said, half awake. "Hey...morning. Sorry. I gotta go." Dylan said."You have to go?" She looked at her phone. "But it's like 6:30 in the morning?""I know, I'm sorry. I have to be somewhere""Ok" said Pearl. And she heard her door close behind him. "Well, I guess that's that." She said out loud. That was not the wake up she expected. He gave her the morning ditch. And she deserved it. She never should have went through with that. It seems he was either completely terrified that it happened and felt awkward or he was just using her and bailed. Either way, it made her feel like shit. She fell back into bed and back asleep.She woke up at noon. She never slept in that late. These last few weeks had been a whirlwind. She had managed to sleep with a movie star, her boss and one of her best friends who was also a virgin. And the virgin ditched her right after it. When she listed it
The first set went well and the club was packed to capacity. Still no sign of Rhys and Jason. Pearl went down to the bar to get a water. "Hey there Pearl with the pretty eyes." She turned around and there was Rhys and Jason. She wasn't going to screw this up for the guys so she ate her pride and said "hey there." And smiled. Rhys had a beanie and sunglasses on. He was trying to look low key but he was getting a ton of looks. "You guys can hang backstage if things get too crazy out here." Pearl said. Just then she felt someone push into her. She turned and there was Dylan. "Hey there, movie star. I hope after all this we're still cool. I appreciate you coming given the circumstances" and he smiled and put his arm around Pearl. "I don't know what you mean, man." Rhys said. "You didn't tell him?" Dylan sneered. "Can I talk to you?" Pearl pulled Dylan away and over to the side stage. "What the fuck are you doing?" Pearl was furious. "Why are you making a scene when less than an hour ago
Pearl chased after Rhys, "Wait! Hey. Don't leave like this." She said breathlessly when she caught up with him. "It's ok. I meant it. I understand, it's only been a few weeks. You owe me nothing. Not even an explanation.""I don't want to be with anyone else right now, tonight, at this moment, but you" Pearl said "You brought Jason here. You stood up for me. I don't want you to go.""Do you love him?" Rhys asked again. "I care about him. I'm not in love with him." Rhys searched her eyes, begging them for the truth. "Do you care about me in that way?" He asked. "I am falling more and more for you every day. You are light. And full of life. You're an incredible human. Yes. I care very deeply for you." Pearl said."I believe you. I believe you do." Rhys answered. They got into the cab and left.Dylan ran out into the parking lot, but Pearl and Rhys were gone. John wasn't far behind him. "They left" Dylan said, still facing forward