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

Chapter 166 Beauty In The Mess

*Trisha*

Nate and Mila don't need me hovering over them for the Meet and Greet. It's right outside this venue, anyway, so I hang back in the rec room with Noah, my old almost-something. 

"Well, hey there." Noah grins as he enters the room. He pulls me into a hug. No hesitation, no second thoughts.

"You look good, Trish."

"As do you, Fireman Noah. I'm glad you're not wearing a Nate Hollan Tour T-shirt this time."

God, he's hot. 

"But it's my favorite!" He teases and looks down at his powder pink T shirt and worn jeans that make his ass look Ah-maze-ing. He flashes me his perfect smile and I fucking melt.

"Sorry things... fizzled a little." The words come out before I can decide if I really wanted to say them. I should apologize, right? We never meant for this thing between us to be a one-night stand, but that's what it became. The guy lived in Paris for God's sakes. How were we gonna make THAT work?

Noah shakes his head. "Don't be. I get it. Things have been a little crazy for you all these past few months." His smile fades slightly, gaze dropping to his Styrofoam cup of coffee. "I'm sorry about James."

"Yeah." Sadness fills me.

 "How's Julia handling it?" Aaandd, the sadness is gone. He's thinking about Julia right now?? "I mean, they were close, right? Best friends?"

"James was everyone's best friend," I say, too sharp, too fast. "Sorry, sorry. I'm just.." I exhale hard and run my hands through my hair. "Stressed out."

"I can imagine."

"Anyways, how are you? Your kids....Alexa and Andrew, right?" I look up to meet his eyes which now seem a bit shocked.

"You remembered their names. Impressive."  Noah laughs. 

"Oh you should see that caveman," I nod my chin to Evan who stands by the entrance in bodyguard mode. Since Mila has like.... a hundred and twenty bodyguards... Nate let Evan stay behind and watch over me instead. And Evan is clearly listening to our conversation right now.

"He can recite the dictionary word for word." I get an eye roll from Evan which I find rather cute.

"Is that so... " Noah raises his brows and nods his head at Evan, not intimidated by the man in the least. "The kids are great. Growing like weeds. I'm here  for a few weeks while they are on spring break."

"Nice. What hotel are you staying at?" I watch Noah shift in his seat a little, like he is embarrassed to answer my question.

"Hotel ex-wife, Mindy. One star rating. Awful reviews. But cheap and a place to lay my head."

I laugh loudly at that one. "You're staying with your ex-wife?!"

"Unlike the salaries of celebrities, a fireman's income is ... lets say...modest by comparison." He sighs "The reporter jobs give me some extra cash, but I don't do it as often as my sister would like. I'm pretty picky...let's be honest, celebrities are total divas." He waves his hand in a flamboyant way making me laugh harder.

"Oh God, and you said yes to Hollan? He's the biggest diva out there." I snort. Having him interview Nate was the best decision I've made all week.

Ok,  I have to admit. I really like Noah. Funny, hot, down to earth. What's not to like? Jesus, when was the last time I got laid?

"Soooo," Noah breaks eye contact with me and looks back down at his cup. "Have you been seeing anyone lately?"

Way to get right to it, Fireman Noah.