Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 89 Trustfall

"Having James here is good for you, Julia. Any other time you would spiral out and take a while to return to us. You didn't do that this time. He reeled you back in." Jeremy sounds almost shocked to see such a change.

"Whatever. She's wrong. Can we go now?"

"Yeah, go ahead. Go make dinner in your place. That food will go bad if you don't start using it." Jeremy says.

"I don't have to eat in the cafeteria?"

"No. You've had a day. Go home, Julia."

I hate to say it, but the rapist seems nice enough. What the hell happened to him to make him do the bad things he did a few months ago? I just can't wrap my brain around it.

*****

*Trisha*

I sit on the couch watching tv and see Nate rush around and whiz by me.

"Now where you off to??" I ask.

"Gonna pick up dinner to bring to Julia's. Wanna come?" 

"Not a chance." I grab the remote and turn up the volume.

"So, you're never gonna see Gallo again because he chose the Avalon? Grow up Trish." He frowns and puts his jacket on. "Anyone else want to come?"

"Sure! I want to see Maggie!" Casey jumps up off the couch.

"I'll come too. You said you're picking up dinner? I'm in." Jonah grabs his sneakers.

"Fine. Leave me here all by myself." I joke.

"I can stay with her." Evan volunteers. "I was going to order Chinese for dinner. But if you don't like that, I can order you something different."

Nate gives me a little wink as the elevator door closes.

"Did he tell you to order that?" I squint my eyes at the bodyguard.

"Oh. No, but I mean, we can order anything. Doesn't have to be Chinese food." Evan answers.

"Chinese is my favorite."

I see Scofield's eyes light up a little.

"Well, would ya look at that. We have something in common." He pulls out his phone and sits next to me.

 "Here. Choose a place and whatever you like." Evan puts his arm behind me on the back of the couch casually. The guy is always flirting with me but right now, he just seems very chill and relaxed. He watches me find my favorite restaurant and add what I usually order.

"Oh, make that one- two orders. And that one... and..." He scrunches his eyebrows together. "You are LITERALLY ordering all the things I order."

"Guess you have good taste, hotstuff." I laugh and feel my phone vibrate in my jeans pocket.

[Order enough for me. I'm crashing your party, Banks]

"Three orders. Paul is breaking outta the Avalon for a little while." I announce and Evan nods.

"That guy is committed." He says while ordering the Chinese food.

"No, he NEEDS to be committed. I don't exactly know why he is doing what he's doing." I admit. "Being someone's bodyguard is one thing. But a full time Avalon patient?"

"A job's a job." Evan shrugs.

"Your job doesn't have to be your life." I get up off the couch and grab my wallet to give to the bodyguard.

"No, I've got it." He refuses my credit card. "Mr. Hollan pays me well." 

"I'm sure he does." I laugh loudly. Nate pays everyone well. Good thing we have a finance guy, and I keep track of his bills for him.

"And, your job is your life, is it not?" Evan moves the conversation over to the kitchen island and I grab the plates.

"That's different. I'm Nate Hollan's PA. I signed up for this shitshow."

"As did Paul. And me."

"Evan, how old are you again?" I put a plate in front of him.

"33"

"So you don't see yourself settling down or having kids or any of that?"

"Do you??" The bodyguard studies my face.

"I asked you first."

"No. Not at all." Evan doesn't think twice about his answer.

"God, you're just like Paul, aren't you. Do they brainwash you in 'bodyguard training' or something?" I scoff.

"No, the military." He jokes but catches me off guard. "Army." Evan answers my question before I can ask it.

Hmm... hot army- L.L. Bean- outdoorsy looking- model of a guy. I could get used to him being my bodyguard. My thoughts get away from me for a moment and brought right back when Paul buzzes in.

Paul comes in holding a six pack of beer and a smile. 

"Sorry. This needs to happen. No alcohol permitted at the Avalon." He hands a cold beer to Evan like they are best bro's or something and Evan wastes no time cracking one open.

"I want no part of your shenanigans. You two are on the job." I tease.

"She doesn't drink." Paul announces and cracks open a beer.

"Aha. Lemme guess. Abusive ex-boyfriend had an alcohol problem?" Evan smirks. My life is that predictable huh...

"Bingo." Paul makes himself at home on the couch.

"Why are you here, Hotstuff? Sick of the Avalon already?" I ask right as the elevator buzzes with our food delivery. Evan is the bodyguard to stand and answer. Paul is officially on break and is making it known by the way he lays his head back on the couch and closes his eyes.

"You think you're so funny, Banks. No, I'm not sick of it but still need a break once in a while." He answers with his eyes closed.

"How's James?" I'm reluctant to ask.

"He's good. Happy. You should visit him. You know Julia's apartment is nothing like the Avalon." Paul lifts his head and looks at me.

I don't respond and get up to help Evan with the food. As I walk by, Paul sits up and grabs my wrist gently. "Hey. You know you can talk to me." 

 Paul's not much of a talker to begin with so for him to even offer up a conversation when he can tell something is bothering me is huge. 

 I put my hand on his stubbled cheek, gaze down at him and nod.

Dammit I need to figure my shit out. I'm like a cat in heat over here, feeling all sorts of things for all sorts of people.

*******