*Trisha*

 It took me a full week to rearrange Nate's schedule so he could go home to London to visit his aunt for the weekend. I help him pack his bag and wait for his driver with him. I know he needs this. Dealing with Cara alone has got to be hard, and he doesn't let anyone help him. I feel awful for him. Once he's gone, I clean up around his house and lock up for him.

I haven't heard from or seen "James The Receptionist" since the day he delivered waters to Julia's room, but I didn't really expect to either. I think we are just friends. Which is fine by me. I'm too busy for anything more.

Once I'm in my car I decide maybe I'll text him and see if he wants to grab coffee. Right as I'm about to a text comes in, interrupting me.

[ Hey. Looks like I'm gonna be in town for a while. Can we please talk over coffee today? I really want to clear the air. ]

Dave. Shit. Why the hell is he texting me? And why the hell am I about to respond?

 Because the truth is- he's my addiction.

*****

*James*

The week flew by. I didn't get to see my mom the past weekend thanks to her not having a great day with awful abusive memories clouding her mind. Lindsay let me stay with her for the weekend which Maggie loved. I know me and Linds will only be friends but she's a good friend to me. I'll always care for her.

The workweek sucked ass, but I didn't let it get to me. I had a therapy appointment, a group grief counseling session and spent the rest of my free time with Lindsay and our dog. Mostly working out and running since we are both health addicts. It helps Lindsay likes to cook and fed me well.

This weekend is the weekend Julia heads home to Boston to visit her family. One thing with Julia...she keeps quit about her personal life. I know absolutely nothing about her family aside from a husband she is no longer with.  

She has avoided me this week once again, being busy with Hollan for rehearsals and interviews. By the time she did walk through the lobby doors she was exhausted and went straight to her room. They are clearly fucking on the side. How no one has caught on to this and how it hasn't made the news is beyond me but I'm still not giving up on her. Not yet.

*****

*Trisha*

"Ok... Go ahead." I say harshly. I sit in my same booth with Dave across from me, uninterested in what he has to say and still uneasy about being near him. Things didn't end well between us and got messy towards the end of our relationship. But if Dave is gonna be here for a while then we need to set boundaries and get over this shit.

Dave lets out a sigh and I study the "Ken doll" in front of me. He could be a model, that's a given. But that's not what attracts me to him.  There's something else. I hate to admit it but there's something both him and Nate share that I can't get enough of.  It's more than just physical attraction. Like Nate, Dave is broken inside and like Nate, he hides it well. 

"I just wanted to let you know I'm doing better. I'm not asking for anything from you, Trisha. You know that. But I'm gonna be here for a few months on a work project and don't want things to be awkward every time we bump into each other."

"After today, I don't really see us seeing each other, Dave. You know that, right?" I bravely say but then melt the minute he takes both my hands in his.

"I know. I'm not even asking for friendship. But, Trish, I'll always care for you. We were gonna get married."

I look at the man across from me holding my hands and sigh. "I know. I'm glad you're not drinking anymore. That shit really messed you up."

"Sure did. I can't believe I let it get that bad. I wanted to see you today to apologize. Not because it's one of my AA steps or anything like that, Trisha. Because I never did apologize to you, and you deserve that much. I really am sorry for how everything went down between us. You know I never meant to hurt you. I was a monster, and I know this now." He looks down at my shaky hands in his and let's go, placing his hands on his coffee cup.

I don't know why my hands still shake when I'm around him. I don't FEEL scared. But for some reason my body says otherwise. It's a reaction I can't control.

"I never want to be the one to make you shake like this. I never meant to be that guy. I really am sorry. "

"I know, Dave. Thank you. I'm glad you are getting the help you need."

We talk for a good hour on stupid shit. His life. My life. The past. He really has changed, hasn't he? He's like the Dave I first met, not Drunk Dave.

And the truth is, I may always be addicted to him like I'm addicted to Nate.

*****

*James*

[Hey stranger. We haven't bumped into each other once this week. What the heck James The Receptionist!]

I look down at Trisha's message in the middle of my run and laugh a little. We bumped into each other multiple times within a few weeks and now all of a sudden, nothing. This weekend Julia is away so I didn't think I'd see Hollan around anyways but funny that I haven't bumped into his assistant in a while.

I slow down my run to a jog and eventually stop in the middle of the park to catch my breath.

[ I assumed you ghosted me]

I tease knowing I made her laugh with that.

[ Yeah right Hot Stuff. What are you doing later?]

[What do you think? I'll be at the one and only luxury resort we know as the Marriott. Slaving away at the front desk]

The nights drag without Julia around and I'm dreading tonight's long shift.

[Oh that stinks. I was gonna see if you wanted to grab a bite. Why don't I bring it to you, so long as you don't think you will get in trouble if I visit? I'm bored out of my mind and Hollan is away for the weekend.]

Hollan is away for the weekend. What a coincidence. I suddenly feel nauseated. You know what? Fuck it. Why not enjoy Trisha's company for a while tonight. We are both bored and Hollan is getting under my skin anyways. Hanging out with his bestie will put me in a better mood.

[ I won't get in trouble. Come hang with me! Bring whatever you want to eat but make sure it's on Hollan's tab and not your own]

I tease. Take that Nate. You may be in Julia's pants right now but I'm taking your wallet and eating well tonight.

****

*Trisha*

I decide to pick up my favorite, Chinese Food, and head to the Marriott, hoping I'm not gonna get the guy at the desk in trouble with his boss by hanging out. James doesn't seem worried about it though. Before heading over to the Marriott I change into comfortable clothes and throw my hair up in a ponytail. He won't care if I'm in one of Nate's sweatshirts and a pair of leggings, that's for sure. I don't think he is interested in me like that.

"Is that my Door Dash Girl?" James teases when he seems me coming in with the takeout bags. He's sitting behind the desk in the chair swiveling it around like a kid would, while scrolling through his phone.

I look around and notice the place is dead tonight. "You sure it's ok for me to hang out with you?? I can go whenever."

"Believe me Trisha The Assistant. You're fine. Nobody cares. And hey. You look good when you're not all dressed up." He smirks and I raise an eyebrow.

"Are you saying I don't when I'm dressed up??"

"No you look good no matter what. But I prefer "Normal Assistant Trisha verses Dressy Assistant Trisha. What did Nate buy me for dinner tonight?" James stands up now and signals me over to the couch where there's a table. It's close enough to the front desk where if someone would come down needing something he can quickly walk over there.

"Hope you like Chinese Food. If not, I can order you something else. I guess I should have asked first to clarify, huh?" I put the bags down on the coffee table and James grabs plates and forks from under the coffee stand.

"Chinese is perfect. I'll run it off tomorrow."

"There ya go. Same." I sit down and open all the containers. We spend most of the night eating and talking about stupid stuff. Nothing serious but James is nice to be around. I enjoy his company.

*****

*James*

"So, what are your plans for the rest of the weekend?" I ask before taking a mouthful of rice. I like seeing Trisha relaxed like this. She usually seems so high strung while running around doing all Nate's shit. Right now, she is a normal person eating Chinese food on a Saturday night.

"Not much really. Nate flies in tomorrow night so I'm back being Personal Assistant Trisha once he lands.

Funny. I think Julia comes back tomorrow night as well...... Trisha still hasn't caught on, has she? I'm sure as fuck not going to be the one to tell her. Once this is out between the coach and his contestant, all hell is gonna break loose. The media is going to eat this all up. But Nate must know what he's doing so I'm not getting involved in his shit. I have enough of my own shit to handle.

I say nothing to that and change the subject.

"Hey. Was it you who put a flower on Carter's grave? I noticed it next to the Teddy Bear the other day."

"It was. My mom's favorite flower. Thought Carter could use a flower on his grave as well. The Teddy Bear is cute." Trisha says in between bites of food.

"He slept with that thing every single night. It was hard for me to give it up but it should be with him, so I put it next to his grave a few months after he passed."

"Wow. The thing looks brand new. I thought you just put it there recently!"

"Nope! Well, we had to replace it a few times over the years when it got disgusting." I laugh. The thing looked so gross after being out there for a few years.

"We...? You and your wife?" Trisha prods a little and I smirk and roll my eyes at her.

"No, I've never been married. We as in me and my five sisters." I watch Trisha's eyes widen.

"FIVE sisters?? Holy cow, you poor thing. No brothers??"

"Nope. Just me." I finish eating and sit back in my chair watching her continue to eat and talk.

"Just me too. No siblings at all." She says like it's a bad thing. I can't imagine being alone. Me and my sisters are all very close. "What about your parents? They still alive?"

"My mom, yes, but she's not well. Joe. Well, he can fucking rot in hell." I blurt out and catch Trisha off guard.

"Wait. Gallo...... Joe Gallo? As in Mac's brother? Sullivan's tap??" She catches ME off guard now.

"You know the sonofabitch?" I ask dryly, feeling uneasy.

"Not really. I know Mac from the bar, and hot mess Natalie. Oh... sorry. That would be your cousin then, huh. I'm sorry."

"No. It's fine. She IS a hot mess." I laugh and put Trisha at ease.

"I've known your uncle Mac for years. All the celebrities go there to hang, and I've been there a few times. He's a nice guy. But your dad..." She pauses. "He's a piece of shit, isn't he? I've been around a few times where Mac has had to call the cops on his brother because of his intoxication. I actually don't think he is even allowed back in the bar anymore.

"Sounds about right, and correct, he's not allowed near Sullivan's." I sigh feeling relieved that there's a place I can go to hide away knowing my asshole father can't bother me.

"He's more than a piece of shit, isn't he?" Trisha can read me like a book.

"Sure is." I respond and look down at my food, now feeling a little nauseated thinking about my childhood. "But I make sure he stays away from my family."

"You're a good man, James. Sorry you have a dick for a dad." Trisha pats my hand and nods with sympathy for me.

"Yeah, me too."

******