*Trisha*

Whatever Nate and Mila talked about in his room turned things around. They were talking for awhile in there. I have a feeling Nate may have confessed to Mila that this was not his idea to have her join him on tour. Which probably made Mila feel like shit.  I also had a feeling Nate and Mila know they need to fake it till they make it. And they are going to have to do that together.

When they step out of Nate's room, it's like they've shed whatever weight pressed down on them before. Their fingers are laced together, their smiles effortless...too effortless. A seamless performance, practiced to perfection. They are definitely trying to fake it and get into character before we land and they are seen in public.

I watch them. The way Mila's grip tightens just a fraction too much. The way Nate's laugh lands a beat off.  A quiet agreement to fake their way through this, to smooth the edges for the people watching. How they managed to come to terms with it, I have no idea but they've locked it in. We're ready to land. Whatever happened behind that door, whoever they were before, doesn't exist anymore. But is Julia going to know this is fake or is she going to see them on social media and freak out, thinking it's real?

"Nate! Nate Hollan! Mr. Hollan! Mila!! Mila!!"

It's all we hear as we walk down the terminal. Nate and Mila have already excited the plane and security has whisked them away. 

"You guys ready?" I smile over at Jonah and Casey. Gavin has already gotten into his mode and following around Nate and Mila getting as much footage as possible to edit later.

"This feels weird without everyone else." Casey admits. Jonah takes her hand and nods.

"We'll make the best of it, ok?" I force a smile and we are escorted through the terminal. Our set of bodyguards lead us a separate way out  and while we are speed walking through the airport my phone starts ringing.

"Hey Leslie, what's up? We just landed and are being escorted to the cars."

"Nate's not going to like this," Leslie talks fast which makes me slow my pace and put a finger up to the bodyguards. 

"What's wrong?" Saying what's wrong in front of Jonah and Casey puts a concerned look on both of their faces, thinking the worst. This is bad but it's not what they think.

"Trish, Nate's manager..."

"Richard? What about him? Spit it out Leslie...I don't have fucking time right now." I snap while the bodyguards escort us down another hall. She knows I need her to get to the point.

"Mila and Nate will be sharing the Penthouse Suite at The Four Season's tonight."

I freeze. Right in the middle of the hall, making both Jonah and Casey bump into me from behind and all the bodyguards halt.

"Leslie... please tell me this is some prank."

Leslie's voice is steady, but beneath it, there's a thread of frustration, barely concealed.

"I'm sorry. The hotel leak on where the two were staying got out this afternoon, and now every room is booked solid. "

"What the fuck do you mean every room is booked solid??"

"The receptionist called Richard instead of me, asking if there was an alternative. He called me...told me to handle it. But not just handle it. He spelled it out, step by step, like I didn't know what I was doing. He demanded Mila and Nate stay at The Four Seasons, even though everyone knows they're there. What's worse, he insisted they share a room. He was adamant, Trisha."

She exhales sharply before continuing. "Now, every hotel nearby is full because of the leak. And between you and me..." She lowers her voice. "Would Richard do something like this? Leak their location-for publicity?"

That's a no-brainer.  Richard had orchestrated this. This whole mess wasn't accidental. It was calculated. Deliberate.

"It would DEFINETELY be something Richard would do for publicity!" I snap and begin walking again, spotting the black tinted window SUV. "Listen, I have to go. I'll tell Nate but this isn't going to be pretty. Nor is it fucking fair to him." 

I hang up on Leslie and don't need to say anything. Jonah and Casey have both already caught on to what is going on. I call the Four Seasons with no luck on a room. Then call again to speak to the manager with no luck. Leslie was right. It's booked solid. Nate is going to fucking kill me.

I call Richard but can't exactly tell him how I really feel.  Nervously, I ask why the change of plans. and he flat out tells me it would be good for publicity! Not only that, but Mila's management team agrees! There is absolutely nothing I can do to change his mind and Richard pretty much hangs up on me like I'm a waste of his time.

Nate and Mila are already in the vehicle so we pile in quietly while I try to come up with how to approach Nate on this news. I stare out the window,  and can't help but nervously bounce my knee. Casey and Jonah stay quiet as well, occasionally exchanging glances.

Nate knows something is up halfway through the drive, unbuckles and climbs into the rear of the SUV to squeeze between me and Evan.

"What is it?" Nate asks. "James?"

"No. Nothing like that. Fucking Richard got to Leslie." I drop my eyes away from the window and on to my best friend.

"What do you mean?" 

"This stupid music video, Nate." I pinch tension between my eyes. "The footage and shit."

"What about it??"

"He talked Leslie into cancelling Mila's hotel room so she has no choice but to stay with you. And now.... it's fucking booked with not one room to spare. I've called. TWICE."

"You're not serious, are you? Trish.." His voice drops. "Please tell me you're not serious."

"He went so far as to convince HER management team of the idea. And with you both being under contract...not only do you have to abide by it, she does too. And you KNOW Mila isn't gonna go around breaking the rules. You may be fine with breaking contracts but she won't be. Not in the height of her career." I hiss. "They had her hightail out of it the second they heard about your DUI. She won't participate in any negative drama that could mess with her reputation."

"Trish. I can't do this."

"I'm sorry playboy." I drop my head to Nate's shoulder. "I tried to talk to him."

 We glance over at Mila who is texting on her phone. Her management is telling her what's going on. Mila then calls someone, starts talking up a storm in Italian before hanging up on the person.

"We uh.. we stay at the Four Seasons Hotel? Presidential Suite? You and Me?" Mila looks back at Nate, still holding her phone. He nods a yes but frowns, making Mila realize this was not what was supposed to happen.

*****

Within minutes, we pull up to the high-end hotel and drive around the back to the discreet entrance designed for celebrities and their entourage.

We slip through the private entrance. No check-in. No waiting. Everything is already prepared. The bellhops move with practiced efficiency, guiding everyone to their rooms quickly. Jonah and Casey are escorted to the room they will share. 

Then, a staff member turns to me. I follow as he leads me away from the others. Away from Nate. Away from Evan. I have never stayed alone.

The realization hits like a shifting floor beneath me, and my anxiety creeps in.

"Wait." I hear Nate call out to stop the manager and I look over my shoulder at Nate. He knows I don't want to be all by myself.

"Evan, go with her. I don't want her to be alone. Mila's bodyguards will do just fine for us."

I let out a sigh and my shoulders drop in relief. Nate could read my mind.

"Yes, sir." Evan quickly jogs down the hall and catches up to me. "I've got it from here." Evan takes charge, snatches the cardkey from the bellhop's grip, and grabs both of our small suitcases.

"As you wish, sir." The man disappears and Evan walks us to my room.

"Thanks." I bite the inside of my lip. "I really didn't want to be stuck here alone."

"I don't blame you there, Miss Banks. Especially now that everyone knows this is where  THE Nate Hollan is staying. AND his Personal Assistant. You need just as much security as Nate does."

I laugh at that. "Not exactly, but I appreciate the slight boost to my ego."

"You don't think those crazy fans would be interested in you?" Evan asks, swipes the key and holds the hotel door open for me.

"I'm just the errand runner, remember?" I glance around the stunning upscale room and can't help but wonder how incredible Nate's penthouse suite must be if this room is already so impressive.

"You're not just an errand runner. You are his personal assistant. You deal with every single major and minor aspect of that man's life. You are the one who needs to know everything about him from his favorite meal, to what shampoo he likes down to what brand of condoms he prefers." Evan raises a brow at me when I whip my head over at him.

"Jesus, Evan. You could have used a different example! But you're right. I do know all of those things." I laugh but it fades at the sight of the single bed. This isn't a suite but an average room which means.... single bed. TV, tiny kitchenette and bathroom. Desk with a chair and.... No couch. Just a small love seat of a sofa I wouldn't even be able to lay in without curling up.

"I can call the front desk and have them wheel in a cot." Evan notices right away and walks over to the phone. 

"Stop. You're just as bad as Paul. Grow up, Scofield. There is no way I am making you sleep on one of those little flimsy cots. You're gigantic and I need you well rested and sharp for Nate's protection. But I call the left side of the bed. That's my side." I explain as nonchalantly as possible, yet Evan still swallows hard and clenches his jaw.

"Ma'am.. I-"

"Evan. I'm about to castrate you if you call me Ma'am again. We're both adults. Now order me some food from room service will ya?"

"Yes, ma-.... ok."

*****

My eyes flutter open and for a moment I forget where I am. The warmth beneath my cheek feels different. The texture...coarser. Before I lift my head I feel something unfamiliar and forget WHO I am with. Wait...

Instead of resting my head on Nate's chest, which has only a thin scatter of chest hair, I realize I am resting it on Evan, whose chest has a good amount of light brown hair.

I jolt upright, my breath catching in my throat and my eyes widening. Evan is still sleeping, one muscular arm up over his head, the other rests on his bare abs below his belly button. I apparently wrapped my body around him, with my head on his chest, one leg over his hips and one arm thrown over his torso. Scrambling, I shift to my side of the bed and lay on my back, staring at the ceiling trying to regain composure. Jesus Christ Trisha.

Evan didn't budge so I roll over and grab my phone to start the morning. Scrolling for awhile, then looking at today's busy agenda.

First, we'll have breakfast together in Nate's suite, I'll go over the day with him while Mila's Translator will come and get her up to speed. Then hair and make-up artist, Holly will come to the hotel room and get started on Nate and Mila before Nate's first interview. After his interview Nate and Mila will have exactly twenty minutes to eat before they need to both be at a meet-and greet and when that is over, we all meet up at the Venue. He'll have some time to relax before soundcheck and the concert.

A typical day of a musician on tour.

A call interrupts me going over my calendar but I don't recognize the number. I answer it anyway.

"Hi Miss Banks. This is Hailey Cameron." She pauses. "My brother, Noah, filled in for me when I was on maternity leave. I was wondering if he could do the same for today's interview?"

I furrow my brows. Noah? Noah lives oversees. She must be confused.

"Hailey! Hope you are well! As much as I'd love that, we are actually in Florida."

I get off the bed and sit near the desk, away from Evan.

After I say that, I realize I'm an idiot. First off, the only way Hailey would know Nate has an interview today is if she or someone she knew was interviewing him. Second, I remember Noah told me his ex and twin kids live here.

"Sorry, I should have clarified. My brother is down there for a month. I may or may not have recruited him to do a few stories here and there. Since  his interview with Mr. Hollan went so well he has gained a little attention. Anyways, Barbara Towns has laryngitis so I was hoping maybe you could pull some strings and get Noah to cover for her?"

Barbara Towns is the reporter scheduled to have Nate today, one he isn't very fond of with the way she tries to get more info than Nate is willing to give and can be a little pushy.

"I will see what I can do," I reply with a smile.

If I can persuade Fireman Noah to conduct Nate's interview, Nate will be so happy! And, admittedly, I will be quite happy myself. Nate and Noah really hit it off after that interview...to the point Nate gave him concert tickets and invited him backstage before AND after the show.

Me and Noah hit it off as well....

*****

Mila was quiet during breakfast and then was whisked away into the bedroom for hair and make-up by her own team while Holly takes on Nate out in the living room. Jonah and Casey decided to "sleep in", ordered room service and will meet us all at the venue later. I guess things are getting pretty hot and heavy for those two lovebirds.

Evan and I make ourselves at home in the Presidential Suite. I did NOT confess to Evan that I woke up tangled around him like a human pretzel. I was showered and dressed by the time he got out of bed so he has no idea.

"Did you behave yourself last night, playboy?" I smirk over at Nate, who is sitting at the chair by the desk while Holly washes his face.

"Nothing happened. At all." He says proudly.

"Wow. Go Nate. Didn't think you had it in you." I take a sip of my coffee and look around the extravagant room.

"But Trish, I'm gonna need your help. Seriously. I don't want to fuck shit up." He hisses. "I have no fucking self control."

Holly tries to hold in her laugh hearing this. She has been Nate's hair and make-up girl right from the very beginning, like me. She knows Nate. She knows why his nickname is "Playboy" too.

Me and Holly share a look and Nate squints his eyes.

"You two. Knock it off. I AM trying here!!"

"Mmmm-hmmm." Holly continues doing what she's doing, not buying it.

"But why, Nate. You're not with Julia. Who cares what you do now." Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. Nate gives me the finger and the silent treatment while Holly gets him camera ready.

We head to the studio and my surprise for Nate awaits him. He didn't have to sit down for an interview with Barbara Towns. He was interviewed by Noah Cameron and was smiling ear to ear over that one. Noah stays in his lane, asks Nate questions pertaining to his music, music video, tour and songwriting. Not once did he meddle in Nate's personal life.

I watch from backstage with Mila and Evan and can't help but smile. This is Nate...in his element...talking about the things he loves. And I was able to make the interview a little better by getting Noah to host it for him. With one text message to Noah, then a phone call that lasted longer than we anticipated to catch up, I not only talked the firefighter into  taking Barbara's place, but also now have a date!

Ok, well not technically a date. You don't have time for actual dates when you're on tour. You have a few hours to eat and shower is what you have. Especially with Leslie flying in this afternoon before the concert. That's when things get REALLY real! But I invited Noah to hang out backstage in the Rec room for the afternoon like we did last time. Nate gave him tickets for the show and he can join us for the afterparty before we hit the road.

Even though there's so much going on back home and I worry about James, I have to admit- I haven't been this excited in a long time.

******