*Trisha*

I wait impatiently for Nate to call me. Meanwhile, I just used Evan as my personal therapist, telling him why I'm so concerned about Nate being around Mila. As soon as my cell phone rings, I answer and sit on Nate's bed, Evan is still in the chair by the window.

"Why was she there?" I don't bother with any hello's and get right to the point.

"Richard sent her." Nate is walking back to the apartment; I can tell by his shallow breathing that his heart is pumping harder.

"I knew I! Why is he doing this? What did she say??"

"Benson was adamant about Mila going to the Avalon to talk about some luncheon shit before tour. I don't think she even knew why she was there. He does this shit on purpose. But," Nate pauses. "I had to give her your number so her staff could reach out to you to coordinate things."

"Yeah, that's fine." I sigh.

"And I had to give her mine." The air around me falls silent with Nate's pause. "She asked. I had blocked her, remember?"

"Oh I remember." How could I forget the incident in London when he lied to everyone about deleting her number, only for Julia to discover that he had not.

"Anyway, that's it. It was a short visit. Less than a half hour."

"Does Moretti know about this?" My stomach ties in a knot.

"Yes."

*******

*James*

Julia is a bitter woman when it comes to Mila Giovanni. And for good reason. Although, it's not Mila's fault because she didn't do anything wrong but Nate sure as hell did. So Julia knowing that Mila came here to the Avalon to visit Hollan is eating away at her. 

Whether Nate and Julia are together or not, this emotional scar he left on her is one that hasn't healed all the way. How Julia is going to deal with things when he goes on tour and she sees Mila hanging all over Nate is beyond me.

"You're real quiet." I pet Maggie who is practically across my lap, enjoying the attention.

Julia shrugs her shoulders just as Nate and Paul come back to the apartment.

"See? No big deal." Nate glides past Julia nonchalantly. "I'm gonna go change."

That is all Hollan is going to say?

Julia follows Nate down the hall on a mission and the door closes behind her. I look at Paul.

"This won't end well." The bodyguard mumbles and sits down on the recliner next to me. Man of many words.

"Why did she come here?" I press Paul to actually talk for a change.

"Who knows."

"So...what do you mean this won't end well then? C'mon Paul. Give me something to work with here."

The bodyguard drags his hands down his face with a loud sigh.

"It's just the way she is with him."

"Who, Julia?"

"No. Well, yes, that too, but no. Mila."

"Paul, you gotta give me more than that." I continue to dig.

"She's young. Real young. Handsy. All over him. Holding his hand, touching his leg. It's just the way she is but you try and have this Italian supermodel throw herself at you every chance she gets.."

"Those hands of cards are never dealt my way, Paulie." I sit back into the couch a little more.

"You're nuts, Gallo. You have Lindsay." 

"And you had Julia." I scoff. "Let that one slip through your hands, didn't ya old man."

"You are only eight years younger than me, Gallo."

"Only!" I laugh and then do the math. Mila is eight years younger than Nate. Jesus, she's practically just a kid! I don't know what or who I was doing when I was twenty-three years old but I can tell you it wasn't some superstar with millions.

"It's not just that." Paul continues in a more serious manner now. "It's the way Nate is when he is with Mila. She's part of his world. She has all the money and fame and lifestyle he has. They have that in common. And then..." He pauses and shakes his head. "They way he treats Julia when he is with Mila."

"Yeah, that I don't like." I furrow my brows vividly remembering the way Hollan would talk to Julia back then. The way he is talking to her right now, nonchalantly breezing by without a care in the world, knowing full well this all bothers Julia.

"Jule, knock it off!" Nate's voice carries and Paul inhales sharply.

"It's your turn to bat." I tease Paul and in return get an eyeroll as he stands up and heads down the hall.

"It's always my turn." I hear him grumble to himself and open the door. You can now hear Julia and Nate's conversation clearly and I drop my head as I listen. Poor Julia. This stuff really gets to her.

"For someone who said he only ever wanted me, you're pretty quick to get close to her. It's fine, Nate. We're not together. I'm not with anyone, now. Thanks for that- by the way." Julia's sweet voice turns bitter. "Move."

"She's out of her ever-loving mind." Nate yells as Julia leaves the room and walks down the hall. Hollan doesn't know when to quit sometimes. He just has to press her buttons more with his sarcastic remarks while she's trying to walk away. 

Julia shakes her head at me like she has had enough of this day and heads outside for fresh air. Not a minute later, Paul does the same. I watch as he joins Julia outside and shuts the slider door for privacy. I can't help but smile. He's gonna break his silence towards her. End the cold shoulder he's been giving her. He's so fucking in love with that woman. How none of ever saw it all these months...

Paul is good. Real good.

While he is outside I head to Julia's bedroom where Nate is folding his clothes. Or sniffing his clothes. Or whatever the hell he's doing.

"What the hell is going on?" I lean against the doorframe, feeling a little unsteady tonight. 

"Julia could smell Mila's perfume on my shirt and it triggered shit. I literally hugged her hello and goodbye. That's all it was, Gallo." Nate looks up at me. I see he his telling the truth from his eyes. 

"She's always gonna have a h-hard time when it comes to Mila Giovanni." I explain.

"Yeah, well, there's nothing that can be done about it at this point. She's going to have to get used to some of this. It's beyond my control. I've told everyone this already. Julia is bound see photos circulating online and in the news—pictures of Mila traveling with us and sneak peeks from the making of the music video. None of that can be prevented. It's out of my hands."

"Nate, you can't expect Julia to get used to it. Mila was the 'other woman.' You don't think t-that brings up a shitload of b-baggage for Julia? Not just you. With her ex-husband and his 'other woman.' This brings it all back for her." I say, suddenly not feeling so hot.

"Then tell me what to do, mate. Because I don't have a fucking clue how to do this."

"I can't tell you what to do. You need to make the decision for yourself. Maybe you can talk to one of the Th-therapists here t-to help you." I try to focus on the conversation but feel a little off.

"Are you good, James? You're stuttering a little more." Nate notices I'm having trouble with my words but I try to ignore it.

"I'm f-fine. Are you listening to me?" I furrow my brows.

"Yeah. I talked to Trevor about it all. He pretty much told me I need to choose between Julia and my career. He said I can't have both." 

"S-so you chose tour." I frown.

"I don't have a fucking choice in this matter! This is my job, James!" He bursts and throws his arms up. "This is what pays ALL of our bills. This is what covers all of our expenses—the Avalon, medical bills, everything! I really don't have a choice!"

"Then let her go, Nate. You m-made your choice. Stop stringing Julia along. It's not fair to her." I manage to get my words out before the room begins to get fuzzy. A seizure. I think I'm about to have a-

"I'm not stringing her along. I fucking love her. You know this because you do too. You may think you've moved on with Lindsay but I know you haven't. You put on a good act though, Gallo."  Nate scoffs. 

I glare at him.  I try to respond but-

I hear the ocean.

Everything turns black.

*****