Isabella placed her measuring tape around her neck, "hon, I don't know how much longer I can make them." Isabella stood back as Naimi looked over her shoulder into the mirror, she tugged at the hem of her shorts.
"You can't see anything," Brie laughed, "what is Jimmy so worried about?"
"He said I had too much out," Naomi shrugged, stepping off the box she was standing on.
"I can go with more of a boy short," Isabella suggested, "why don't I make a pair? Worse comes to worst, they don't work."
"I don't want to make more work for you," Naomi frowned. Isabella only smiled and shook her head.
"We are going out tonight," Brie looked over at Isabella. "You should come, have a drink."
"I can't, I have stuff I am working on," Isabella knew she sounded like she was making excuses, and she was. Everyone had been more than welcoming. And beside a quick hello, Isabella had not seen Seth. But this was still his world. He had worked with these people for years. She would only be here for six months.
"Crap," Naomi said looking at the time, " I have a promo."
"Give me two days," Isabella called out, watching Naomi hurry away.
"You like working here," Brie asked. Isabella nodded, as she pulled out the new pants she had been working on for Brie. "I was kinda surprised to see you here. I mean with," Brie stopped.
"Oh, well," Isabella laughed,"I thought about it a lot. I really would not want Seth to feel uncomfortable. But it is business, and we are adults," Isabella held up a needle, " so far so good. Plus you ladies keep me busy. I never see him."
"I give you both credit," Brie pulled her legs in front of her, crossing one over the other. "Don't know if I could work with my ex, and his new girlfriend."
"I haven't even met her," Isabella laughed. Hearing someone say it out loud, it did play out like a soap opera.
"And he is dating the girl he cheated on his ex fiancé with," Brie turned her nose up.
"Alright," Isabella held up the pants, "what do you think?"
"I like," Brie jumped up.
"Try them on," Isabella clapped her hands, "let me know."
"Really," Brie draped the pants over her arm, "think about tonight."
Isabella shoved two more french fries in her mouth. She had avoided the whole diva clan. She liked all of them. She just knew it would up her sitting there nursing some over priced drink. She would smile, nod and laugh, but honestly have no idea what they were talking about. At times it amazed her how much wrestling was like the music business. Neither were jobs you left at the office. It truly was a lifestyle. Everyone in this company lived and breathed it.
Isabella groaned as she heard a knock at her door. She moved her dinner and the drawings she was working on. Sliding off the bed, she made her way to the door. She peered out the peep hole to see Dean smiled back to her. He was even waving , as if he could see her looking out. "Hey," Isabella opened the door a crack.
"There is a milkshake place down the street, " Dean pointed , showing the direction he spoke of, "they have every flavor. Even bacon," he rocked back on his heels. Isabella stood looking him up and down. She never realized how tall he was, he looked down on her. He stood dressed in his famous t shirt, jeans, leather jacket and boots.
Dean had always made Isabella a bit nervous. He was funny, and had always been nice to her. There was something about him, something Isabella could not put her finger on. He had a very big presents and piercing stare. And you never quite knew if he was being serious. "I am kinda in for the evening," Isabella looked down at her pajama pants and over sized t shirt.
"It is not black tie," Dean's hand reached over Isabella's head pushing the door open. He strolled straight to the closet, "love this about you girls," he smiled, "here for eight hours. And you unpack," he grabbed a pair of jeans, tossing them toward Isabella. "I think," he held out two tops," this one," he handed her his decision. Isabella looked down at the clothes in her hands. She was thinking for how to get out of this. Dean stood crossing his arms over his chest, she realized he wasn't going to take no for an answer. "It is just milkshakes," Dean tilted his head," I will have you back before bedtime."
Isabella sat rather quite, she was not sure what to say. She had really only talked to Dean a handful of times. But never alone like this. "Does it really taste like bacon," Isabella asked. Dean held out his styrofoam cup, Isabella hesitate for a minute, Dean gave a nob and she took it. Taking a quick sip, she squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head, causing Dean to laugh. "Oh that is bad," Isabella choked out.
"Well, you mixed it with mint chocolate chip," Dean took his cup back. "So is it in your contract that you can not talk to anyone?"
"No," Isabella shook her head. "You know," she played with the straw in her cup. "The rule if your friend breaks up with some one. You kinda break up with them." Isabella shoulders drop as a deep breath left her.
"I don't play by the rules," Dean leaned in close to her, "you are way to cute to stay hidden away. Seth can get over it, he doesn't run this show."
"I don't want people to feel uncomfortable," Isabella felt herself pulling back. She was trying to put some space between them.
"I am not uncomfortable," Dean smirked, "are you?" Isabella realized she had for a brief moment, forgotten how to breath. Dean sat up looking at her, he could tell there was a lot more to her. She was very good at hiding it from people. Dean was pretty sure she had grown up much like him. When you grow up that way, you learn two things pretty quick, don't trust, and how to lie. Isabella was a pro at both, she also had learned to be seen and not heard. If everyone else is happy, all is good. She must have placed some trust in Seth to have been able to tell him, she didn't want to move. And with or with out knowing Seth had proven her right. Showing, telling or letting someone in ended the same, they walk out. But to look at her there was a well put together young lady. He wondered if Seth really saw her. "Let's get you back," Dean stood," before you turn into a pumpkin."
As they stepped outside, Isabella wrapped her arms around herself. "Here," Dean took his jacket off, wrapping around Isabella's shoulders. They walked and talked, Isabella felt a bit more comfortable in a crowd with Dean. "So you plan to buy a house in New Orleans," Dean asked holding the door to the hotel for Isabella to walk through.
"Yes," Isabella stepped in waiting for him, "I hope by the end of the year to have my own shop opened." They walked toward the elevator.
"So, just using us for the money," Dean hit the bottom, looking up watching the door close. He leaned against the back wall, crossing one foot in front of the other.
"Yes," Isabella kept her eye straight, watching each floor light up. "Six months, and I am out."
"Thank you," Isabella said looking down as they stood in front of her door. She had not realized how long it had been since she really talked to someone. She hadn't even been in much contact with her brother and sister in law. She didn't want to hear all the I told you so, or pity for another realtionship that didn't work out.
"You are welcome," Dean smiled, his cell phone buzzed, he pulled it out. "I have to take this." He turned his head, "yeah, ok. I am coming," Dean waved good bye phone still in hand.
Isabella stepped in her room. She pulled her own phone out looking through it. "Oh damn," she stomped her foot realizing she still had Dean's jacket.
Dean waited for Roman to finish up at the front desk of the hotel. Which was taking longer than usual. The front desk clerk was maybe eighteen, and total lost in Mr. Reings smile and eyes. Dean had been ready to go twenty minutes ago. "Still here," Isabella's voice came from behind him.
"Yeah," Dean cast a look over to the desk," at this rate we are not making it to the next show." Isabella looked at the desk, she gave a nob.
"Gave me five minutes," she started over to the counter. "Roman we need to go now." Roman jumped at the sound of her voice, "Stephaine called and she is in no mood. We need to go now. Cause if you are late, for any reason." The girl behind the counter eyes widened, " she means it this time. It will be six weeks no pay. No T.V. time," Isabella's face was so serious, and Roman didn't know what to think.
"Sorry," the girl squeaked out, "I am still new," she started to explain. Thinking she was about to deny the world of Roman Reigns. She handed Roman the paper work he was waiting for, smiling," sorry," she looked at Isabella. Isabella only gave a firm nod and pulled Roman away.
"Am I really in trouble," Roman whispered.
"No," Isabella tried to hide her smile.
Once outside, Isabella started laughing, "what was that," Roman chuckled.
"When my brother or anyone in the band he was in could not get away," Isabella explained , " I would walk up and make like there was an emergency."
"Smart little thing you are, " Dean winked.
"Lucky I didn't use the, it is time for your anti itch cream," Isabella laughed. "Oh," she remembered she had Dean's jacket over her arm. "Thanks," she handed it to him. "Well drive careful," Isabella smiled waving, she started for her car.
"Do I want to know why she had your jacket," Roman turned to Dean.
"She was cold," Dean shrugged, tossing his jacket over his shoulder.
