*James*

"Room service," I say out loud but then quietly add, "We need to talk."

I stand in front of Julia's room with her room service order, purposely making sure I'm the one to bring it up to her this morning.

"Paul is gone for a few minutes. But he will be back." I rush past her into her room, and she closes the door, still pissed at me.  I never enter without invitation, but this is important. Julia needs to know what went down last night, and why.

"James, get out! You can't be in here." She says loudly.

"Shhhh, keep your voice down." I whisper and walk in further.

"For God's sakes, James, leave. This is the last thing I need right now."

"It's the only way. You sit and eat. Please. Just give me five minutes." I beg and watch Julia sit on her bed and throw her hair up in a ponytail.

"What the hell do you want?"

I put the tray of food in front of her, but she doesn't touch it, she's still too mad at me to have an appetite. 

"Why was Paul escorting you up last night?" I get right to the point and cut out the bullshit.

"How do you know Paul?" Julia is now giving me her full attention, needing answers.

"Has someone been following you or harassing you?? Aside from last night?" I pull a chair over next to her bed and sit down. 

"James, answer my question. How the hell do you know Paul?!"

"Julia, I've lived here all 36 years of my life, I know everyone," I state matter-of-factly.

"I've worked in this hotel for years and have had many encounters with celebrities, or people linked to them, that need to hide out. Or are in danger and need security.
I have yet to see security actually outside their door... overnight like that. I know Paul. We go way back from when he worked with Nate's band. The dude practically trained me on what to do without hesitation, and I know not to say a word or ask questions. I do more than just work at the damn front desk."

I lean forward into my chair to get closer and somewhat whisper now.

"Listen, Paul pays me on the side to work the shift I work. I help him out by keeping my mouth shut, and he helps me with a little side cash. We have a good system. I don't necessarily enjoy seeing him because that means something is wrong."

"Wait... so you work for Nate's security team??"

"Well... no. I don't work for Nate. I've never had to deal with him. I work for Paul specifically. He has many celebrities for clients. The hotel doesn't know. Well. I'm sure by now the man in charge does. But he will never admit it and could care less if I'm getting paid under the table by someone else during my shifts. He's getting paid just fine when these people come in needing a room last minute to hide away." I explain. "It's why even when this place is 'booked', it really isn't. A whole floor happens to stay vacant for that reason alone. People are paying extra to keep it hush. This is not something that's advertised...." 

"So why are you telling me this?" Julia asks, still skeptical about it all.

"Because Julia, when I saw Paul come in and escort you up, I felt sick. Is someone specific targeting you? Because you're linked to Hollan in some way?" The concern is written all over my face now. "I don't go up to anyone's room on the 4th floor demanding answers.... but I need to know you're ok."

"Hold on, the 4th floor.... what are you saying? The 4th floor is the floor you're talking about? This floor? Nate's team booked my room up here."

Now she's catching on....

"James. Why would he put me on this floor?"

"I'm sure he has his reasons." I look away for a second. She is clueless, isn't she? I hate that. I hope Nate Hollan isn't taking advantage of the situation. Or Julia. I know they were together in his SUV. But then Julia kissed me. Multiple times since that day.

"Seriously? You don't get it, Julia. At this specific hotel, with the 4th floor, he can come up and see you whenever the hell he wants, and no one on this floor will question it. The only people who see him are when he walks through the lobby doors. That's it. God, you're fucking naïve." I say calmly but she can tell I'm frustrated. Julia has no idea I know about her little make out session with Hollan

"Well I'm sorry I don't know how this works!! I've never dealt with this shit! God, James. This is all new to me!"

"I know you don't. That's why I felt you needed to know. You're safe on this floor, ok? And Nate knows he is safe when he comes up here- That's all I wanted you to be aware of. There are no cameras because everyone on this floor is a celebrity or here for a reason. Having any documentation, they are staying here will just make them on edge. I just wanted to make sure you were OK after last night."

I stand up. "PLEASE keep this conversation to yourself though. You have my number if you need anything." I lean over and kiss her cheek before heading to the door. She nods and watches me.

"Enjoy your breakfast, Miss Moretti." 

As I'm leaving the building I see Nate pull in. He's going up to see Julia, isn't he? And there's nothing I can do to stop him.

*****

*Trisha*

I wake up to the news of Julia's room getting trashed and immediately text Nate. Apparently, Nate doesn't know much about it but sent his bodyguard, Paul, to hang around for a bit until things calm down. Paul is a good guy. We've known him forever. He was Nate's bodyguard since he first started his career and is very trustworthy. Nate is either downplaying shit or really not very concerned about the situation by the way he brushes it off.

I pull into the hotel to see if Julia needs anything and see James walking to his SUV. He looks tired. I'm sure last night was pretty eventful for him. I park my car and get out to walk towards him.

"Hey stranger." I say nonchalantly and get his attention.

"We just keep bumping into each other, don't we? Trisha, right? Nate Hollan's assistant?" James smiles and I immediately melt.

"Yeah. Looks like you had a long night here, huh?"

"Sure did." James says but doesn't get into detail.

"How bout I buy you a coffee. Nate Hollan's treat." I smirk and get a laugh out of James.

"Well, if it's Nate Hollan that is paying, how can I say no? Tell me where you want to go, and I'll meet ya there." 

He's actually agreeing to meet me for coffee??

 "I know a place." I tell him about the small cafe across from Starbucks and he knows the one I'm talking about. Instead of going into the hotel to check on Julia, I drive out of the lot to have coffee with James The Marriott Receptionist.

We pull up to the small cafe at the same time and walk in together. He opens the door for me like a gentle man and I pay for his coffee. I buy a few pastries as well which he inhales in no time, making me laugh.

"Jesus Christ, James The Receptionist," I laugh loudly across from him in the booth Nate and I usually sit in. " Have you not eaten in a week?" I tease.

"I'm always hungry." He smirks and wipes his mouth. "Actually, I can't remember that last time I've had sugar and carbs like this...you know, the bad kind."

"You look like you work out like.... five times a day." I gain a laugh out of James. "I think you can afford a little sugar and carbs once in a while, James the Receptionist."

"Is that my new name now?" 

"I think so. It just flows, doesn't it? I take a sip of my coffee and pick at a Danish. "I don't know, I work out too but I tend to eat crap. Chinese food being my poison of choice."

"Chinese food. Yeah, you go hard."

"Hey, you only live once. You and I both know that now." I remind James of our last interaction. He looks up with sympathy for me and I look away for a second.

"How did your mom die?" He gets straight to the point and catches me off guard. I swallow hard. Even though it's been a few years it's still hard to talk about.

"Cancer. a few years ago, though. I should be better with talking about her. They say the more you talk the easier it gets. At least that's what my grief therapist says."

"Yep. Mine too. I lost my son also to cancer. But eleven years ago. He was two and a half."

"Holy shit, James The Receptionist. I'm sorry." My eyes widen.  Cancer. God I hate that word. I sit back and sip my coffee when James's cell phone goes off. It says Paul and is Paul's number. Paul as in Nate's bodyguard.

 My eyes dart from James to his phone and back to him and I sit up more. 

"You know Paul??" I ask and watch James's big blue eyes widen.

"I know everyone around here. I've lived here all my life. I work with Paul."

*****

*James*

I'm telling Hollan's personal assistant too much aren't I. I back track a little while we share breakfast in the cafe. Trisha is really nice. Sweet. Easy on the eyes. But all I can think about is Julia and how she is right now. And why the fuck Nate Hollan is going up to see her.

"You work security with Paul?" Trisha seems shocked.

"Something like that." I change topics quickly. "So, Trisha The Personal Assistant... What's it like working for the wealthiest man in America?  "America's Heartthrob". Isn't that what they call him?" I smirk and Trisha rolls her eyes.

" He's a pain in the ass." Trisha blurts out and I laugh loudly at that, almost spitting my coffee out. "But seriously, he's my best friend so it's worth it.  We've known each other since we were teens."

"Oh. Are you from Europe? You don't have an accent like he does." 

"Nope. Right here. But had this internship in London and was in the right place at the right time. Now, here I am... doing slave work  for "America's Heartthrob." himself!" Trisha is funny. Easy to be around, I have to admit.

"Ahh. That damn slave work. I'm sure he pays you well." I boldly say and sit back in the booth, looking over her a little.

"He sure does. That's the only way I'll put up with his shit." She jokes and then looks at the time on her phone. "Speaking of, I need to get going on my errands. Hey, thanks for hanging out with me James The Receptionist." I watch her get up and grab her purse and phone.

"You're welcome, Trisha The Personal Assistant. Thank YOU for breakfast."

 Trisha smiles and nods and out the door she goes.

*****