Heart Shaped Spotlight

“We’ll figure it out,” I said quickly. “You might be tired and not even in the mood for socializing. Text me so that I know you’re there safe, okay?”

“Sure. Sleep well.”

“Have a boring flight.”

Her little snicker before she disconnected made my heart lurch in my chest.

I sent Dave an email since he was more likely to have those notifications on silent while he was sleeping. It hopefully wouldn’t be a big deal to switch my Saturday interviews and cram them all in on Friday. Then I could see Trisha for two whole days.

Sprawling back across the bed, I should have felt happy and relaxed, but a sliver of doubt was creeping around the edges of my mind. She was likely going to tell me about her trip soon, but she hadn’t told me the second she heard about it.

For her to be awake so early, she must have known last night. But she didn’t text me. Was that odd? She certainly didn’t owe me anything, and wasn’t obligated to tell me her whereabouts at all times. But if we were a couple, she would have been excited to tell me the news. Wouldn’t she?

I fell asleep in an uncomfortable blur of uncertainty. In my mind, we were already a couple, and just working out the details of how our lives were going to fit together.

Trisha might be on a different page. Hell, she might be in an entirely different book. As much as I wanted to believe that I knew her through and through, I really didn’t.

Chapter Fifteen ~ Trisha

* The Wine is Rarely Wrong *

There was nothing like the feeling of being bone-tired from an incredibly hard day of work. I loved the satisfaction seeping into my body. It was an emotion that I always felt physically.

Although the station had all of the gear ready for me, they had been instructed not to start setting anything up until I had arrived. In a way, that was good because I was able to do everything precisely the way I wanted. Yet I had to wait for them to arrange the lighting, set up the control center area, and run a whack of cables through the ceiling tiles so they wouldn't be seen.

Thursday was an incredibly long day, but it was exciting to be leading a team. When I was in full work mode, I was much less shy. Sure, I didn't raise my voice very much, but I didn't have to. Since I obviously knew what I was talking about, people listened.

Friday we got everything running smoothly, and even did a couple of test interviews. It was a blast watching the staff trying to embarrass each other with personal questions, or act like problematic guests.

Warren was incredibly grateful, and gave me a business card for his friend's restaurant, saying that he had made an arrangement that myself and any guests could have dinner there for free tonight.

When I got back to my hotel room, my back hit the bed as my limbs sprawled out, taking up as much space as possible as if I were a huge starfish. Breathing deeply, I took a moment to stretch outward, feeling the pull in my shoulders from being hunched over equipment for hours.

The feeling of smiling to myself wasn’t new, but the emotion behind it was rare. I was really, truly proud of myself. I’d taken on a big project, and wasn’t that nervous about it. Sure, I’d already done it once before, and it was all stuff that I knew very well. To be fair, I hadn’t had time to overthink and worry myself into a tizzy. Still, feeling my chest puffed with pride was a neat little thrill.

I didn't know whether I should go to dinner alone, or just have some food sent up to my room. Grabbing my phone, I sent Nate a text.

Me: It's a shame you're not in Vancouver tonight. The station manager set me up with a free dinner. We could have dined like kings.

Nate: You should go anyway. Free food always tastes better.

Me: No, going alone would just be uncomfortable.

Nate: Hold on a sec.

I went to stand by the window, looking out over the ocean. Maybe I could go on a boat tour tomorrow, or at least a walk down by the water. Having a weekend being unable to run errands or do housework was going to be incredible. I hadn’t allowed myself to take a real break in ages.

Nate: Lora, my bass player, is in Vancouver now. She is an absolutely amazing person. If you wanted company tonight, I'm sure she would love to be your date.

I had to think about that for a moment. I really did want to become part of Nate's world again. That would certainl

y involve meeting his band at some point. Maybe if I were to become friendly with Lora, it would help me relax around the group of them.

Plus, I didn't have very many friends. If she was in a band with Nate, she must be an interesting person that values hard work. Someone with a head on their shoulders. I’d been speaking with strangers all day. Keeping that energy rolling would likely be the best thing for me.

I typed quickly before I could stress myself out.

Me: Okay, please give me her number.