Heart Shaped Spotlight

I stared at her. Damn, that was some bright purple eyeshadow.

"Did it cross your mind for just one second that Trisha might be terrified that she's not the one for you?"

My mouth fell open. "That's insane. I've wanted her for so long. I've searched for her for years."

Lora shook her head, her green and black hair swinging around her chin. "That wasn't her you were looking for. That was your memory of her from when you were teenagers. There is an entirely new version of her now. A grown-ass woman with needs and fears and a life of her own."

"Yeah. We talked about getting to know the new versions of each other."

She tucked her heels up under her, turning to me completely. "Nate, when we were out at lunch, did you notice that the server was completely checking you out?"

"No. I don't think I noticed her at all."

"Trisha did. She watched the woman fawn all over you. When she saw you on the TV show, I bet she saw hundreds of women screaming for you."

"Yeah, but I don't know them. I don't want to know them."

"Open your mind for a second and try to see how intimidating it would be to attempt to be your girlfriend. Hundreds of women that she might think are prettier, more outgoing, and more suited to you, are right in front of you every time you turn a corner."

I nodded slightly. My mind was beginning to turn numb.

“Plus,” she continued, “Just when she was trying to get comfortable and get to know you, her picture was splattered online, invading her privacy. Some of the women who are in love with you now hate her. Yeah, it’s illogical, but people want to think of their rockstars as single so they can fantasize about having a chance. It’s demented, but it’s true.”

Prickles formed in the pit of my stomach. “That’s insane.”

“Yes. But you know it happens. Some of the women who rabidly followed you on TV will go the other way, and now be fascinated with her, and want to know every little thing about her. It’s ridiculous.”

“Did that site take the stuff down yet?”

Lora shrugged. “I haven’t looked.”

Grabbed my phone, I jumped up. “I think I can fix that. Could you please order dinner? Anything you want is fine.”

Usually I had Dave take care of things, but I thought this might be taken more seriously if I called the network myself.

Chapter Twenty Three ~ Trisha

* Defender of the Cute *

Two weeks after the best and worst trip ever, I went out to the reception area after work. Emily smiled at me warmly as she hung up the phone. "I was just calling you," she said sweetly. "Carrie Daniels is here to see you, but she just popped into the tiny room."

I loved the way our efficient new receptionist referred to the washroom.

"May I set you ladies up in the conference room with refreshments?" she asked.

"No, thanks Emily. We're just going out to the pub."

"Excellent," she said crisply, flashing me a softer smile. "It's certainly not my place to say, but it seems that you work very hard. You've definitely earned a few drinks."

Glancing at her monitor, I noticed that the only non-work related window open was the local weather. "They're expecting a bit of rain in about an hour, but you should be safely indoors by then," she said.

Carrie came out of the washroom and instantly gave me a big hug. "Why does it feel like it's been forever?" she said.

"Because Ms. O'Reilly works too hard," Emily stated with a saucy wink.

Carrie jerked her thumb at the reception desk. "Keep this one. She's great."

"Thank you," Emily laughed lightly. "Have a lovely evening, ladies."