Author's Notes: I'd like to thank Valkyrie MISSILE, Fozzy-Floozy, Westfan, Super T, Disco Inferno1 and jada951 for your awesome reviews for chapter six. I'm glad y'all enjoyed it, and I always appreciate the comments and support.

Additionally, I'd like to thank both Gin (Disco Inferno1, User ID: 339498) and Karen (IMissPadfoot, User ID: 1133633) for your comments and help with this chapter. Love ya both very much!


Chapter Seven: "Your what?"

Charlotte's day at work could not end quickly enough for her. The blonde was still walking on air after meeting Ryan Thomas, an I.T consultant, from Maryland, at a bar the night before.

The dark-haired, brooding man had called the make up artist that morning, saying he'd managed to secure the day off work, and was flying over to Richmond, Virginia, so he could take her out for dinner.

The blonde had high hopes for the date; they'd shared an amazing good-night kiss the night before, and had made a wonderful connection as they'd chatted in the bar.

Charlotte really was starting to think that she'd found someone special in Ryan, and felt sure he was someone she could have a meaningful relationship with.

Sadly, however, luck just wasn't on her side that day. Instead of having the quiet and relaxing day she hoped for, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.

Firstly, Paulo was late for work, and Charlotte had to style two wrestlers' hair herself. It wasn't too bad, as she had taken hair styling in college, but it was a stress she could have done without.

Then, somehow, Maria had managed to walk into a door during her afternoon at the hotel, and so Charlotte had to cover up a big purple bruise on the side of the diva's face.

"So, are you looking forwards to your date tonight?" asked the petite brunette, hopping on the stool.

"Like you wouldn't believe," replied the blonde, dabbing concealer on her friend's face.

"Where's Ryan taking you?" Maria inquired, trying but failing to keep still, as Charlotte dusted setting powder across the covered bruise.

"Out to dinner, I think," replied the make up artist. "I'm not sure though, he didn't really say."

"Oh, right," said Maria. "Are you sure not knowing where you're going is a good idea? I mean, what happens if you get all dressed up, and Ryan takes you somewhere really dull? Or how about if you end up going somewhere you don't like?"

"Well, I'm sure wherever we're going will be really nice. Ryan said he wanted to spoil me, and you saw what he was like at the bar, he's loaded. I can't imagine us just going out for pizza or something," mused Charlotte, now beginning to wonder what exactly her date tonight would entail.

"And you're sure Ryan is the guy for you?" pressed the diva. "I mean, you've only just met him, and remember how things turned out with Mark. You really liked him too, and he ended up boring you to death."

"I know that, but with Ryan it's different. I had more of a chance to get to know him last night, and we really made a connection," insisted the blonde. "Besides, wasn't it you, Candice and Kelly who suggested I go to the bar in the first place? Don't tell me y'all are changing your minds."

"No, we're not," assured the diva. "It's just, well, you're our friend and we don't want to see you getting hurt. Also, you seem to be falling for Ryan pretty quickly. We don't want you rushing into things, and making a mistake, when there could be the perfect guy out there for you."

"And how do you know Ryan isn't the perfect guy for me?" asked Charlotte. "I told you, I'm sick of going on dates that lead to nothing. I genuinely feel Ryan and I could have something together."

"Yeah, but couldn't you find that with someone else? I don't know, maybe someone from work, who you're already friends with?" suggested the brunette.

"Maria, the only guys I'm friends with around here are Paulo, Orton and Cena. Obviously Paulo is out of the question, Orton isn't the settling down type, and Ellie would skin me alive if I hooked up with Cena," the make up artist pointed out.

"What about Jericho?" asked the diva hopefully.

The blonde couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Oh, don't start this again. What is your obsession with me and Chris getting together? You never acted like this when I first met Orton or Cena, so how is it any different now?"

"Erm, it's not, I guess. I just thought, because y'all are hanging out so much, that maybe there was something there," replied Maria, almost falling over herself to find an answer her friend would believe.

"Ok, so we hang out a lot, and we get on really well, but that doesn't mean anything," insisted Charlotte, utterly baffled where her friend could have gotten the idea that something was going on between herself and the wrestler.

"Yeah, you're right, Charlie. I was just being silly, because y'all work together, so it would make things easier in a way," explained the brunette, jumping off the stool and looking into the mirror. "I'm sorry; I hope you and Ryan have a really great time together."

"Thanks, Maria, I really appreciate you saying that. I like Ryan a lot, and want my friends to approve of him," sighed Charlotte dreamily.

"And we do," insisted the diva, almost a little too eagerly. However, Charlotte didn't seem to notice, because she'd slipped off into her own dream world again. "Right, I better head to my match. Will you meet us later, before your date?"

"Of course," returned the blonde, with a grin. "I'll see you in the hotel bar, because I think I'll need a few drinks to calm my nerves."

Maria nodded, embraced the make up artist, and then headed off down the corridor.

Charlotte was left pondering her friend's words, and felt her stomach bubble with excitement as she thought about her date later that evening. She really hoped everything with Ryan would go perfectly.

As the make up artist sat idly waiting for someone else to need her services, she thought about what she was going to wear that night. Not knowing she was going to end up meeting someone, and going on a date with them, the blonde hadn't really packed anything special. However, she always carried a classic 'date outfit' in her suitcase just in case. The little black cocktail dress and stiletto shoes would have to do. Hopefully with some accessories, her hair styled and some make up, she'd look presentable.

Jarring her out of her thoughts, Charlotte heard the sound of heeled shoes tapping their way down the corridor. The blonde looked up, and inwardly groaned when she saw Beth Phoenix approaching her, but vowed not to let the diva ruin her good mood.

"I want you to fix my make up before I go out to the ring," demanded the 'Glamazon', fixing Charlotte with a piercing glare.

"Sure thing. Hop up onto the stool, and I'll see what I can do," replied the make up artist as amicably as she could, given the way Beth was looking at her.

The diva nodded curtly and jumped onto the stool, flicking her long blonde hair out of the way as she did.

Unusually for Charlotte, she didn't try to make any small talk, as she applied the Glamazon's make up.

Normally, the make up artist would ask whoever she was making over how their day had been, or what their plans were for that evening – even if she didn't know them very well. However, with Beth, she didn't really care, because knowing the diva, trying to be polite would only result in a nasty reply.

Finally, it was the 'Glamazon' that broke the silence between the two women.

"Rumour has it, you have a date tonight," sneered Beth. "Now tell me, who would be sad enough to take you out. Is he blind and deaf?"

"Get lost, Beth," Charlotte replied. "Ryan is very nice actually, and I, unlike you, can get man without having to drop my panties first. So, tell me now, who's that sad one, huh?"

The diva laughed in Charlotte's face, and then replied, "I'm sure Ryan will be the sad one, once he finally sleeps with you. When he sees you naked, with that horrible roll of fat you hide under those jeans, I'm sure he'll run a mile."

The blonde was left speechless, as Beth jumped down off the stool, admired herself in the mirror, shook out her long hair, and then sauntered away.

The make up artist knew she wasn't a stick thin model like some of the girls around her, but she'd always thought she'd had quite a nice body; she had after all, been a cheerleader in High School. However, Beth's taunts had made Charlotte wonder if Ryan would feel the same, if they ever got to that stage in the relationship. In her mind, he was perfect; good looking, intelligent, funny and in a high powered job. All this made the blonde wonder if she was actually good enough for someone as seemingly immaculate as Ryan.

Feeling insecure, Charlotte knew only one thing would make her feel better—chocolate. So, she headed down the corridor to the staff lounge, to grab herself a Kitkat and a can of Coke.

Entering the room, the blonde found Jericho lying across the couch, one hand behind his head, the other idly flicking through a music magazine.

After buying her sugary snacks, the make up artist sat down on the chair besides him and smiled.

"Hey, Chris, how's things?" she inquired warmly.

"Yeah, fine" replied the wrestler shortly, not even looking up from his magazine.

Charlotte was momentarily startled by the Canadian's reply, as usually when they saw each other, they'd slip into easy and relaxed conversation. However, today Jericho seemed tense and not quite himself.

Figuring it was merely tiredness, the blonde tried again.

"So, how's Abigail?" she asked.

"She's good, thanks," answered the wrestler with a shrug, again not making eye contact with the make up artist.

"That's good. Tell her I said 'hi'?" returned Charlotte.

"Sure," said Jericho, and then stood up from the couch. "Erm, I've got things to do. See you around Charlotte."

Then, without looking back at the blonde, or waiting for her to say anything else, the wrestler left.

Charlotte stared at the door that the Canadian had just walked though, wondering what she could have done to make him act so coldly towards her. They'd been just fine at work yesterday, and as far as the blonde could see, nothing had changed since then.

Putting down Jericho's callousness to lack of sleep, and stress, Charlotte tried to shake the hurt feeling out of her head. However, his coldness cut her like a knife, because she honestly thought they'd formed a close friendship in the weeks that they'd known each other. Obviously, she'd been wrong, the blonde regretfully thought to herself.


That evening, when Charlotte returned to the hotel to get ready for her date, all of Beth's taunts and Jericho's coldness had slipped from the blonde's mind. All the make up artist cared about at that moment, was seeing Ryan and what they'd be doing together.

After saying good night to Paulo, and arranging with the hairstylist a shopping trip for the following day, Charlotte headed up to her hotel room to get ready.

Thankfully, her room mate, Ashley, had already been and gone, even remembering to leave enough hot water for the blonde.

Jumping into the shower, Charlotte washed herself, and made sure she was all neatly groomed for her date, and then slipped into her black cocktail dress. She then did her make up, with smoky eyes and red vampish lip stick, before styling her hair down and perfectly straight.

Then, after grabbing her wrap and purse, Charlotte made sure all her appliances were off and that the hotel room was tidy, before heading down to the bar to meet her friends for a quick drink, and waiting for Ryan to collect her.

As the make up artist scanned the room for her friends, she saw – with relief - that Beth was no where in sight. Then she spotted Jericho and smiled over to him, however, the wrestler didn't even return her gaze.

Thinking nothing of it – as she was too excited about her date – the blonde made her way over to Candice, Maria and Kelly.

"Oh, you look beautiful," cooed Kelly, pouring her friend a glass of wine, from the bottle they were all sharing.

"Thanks," beamed Charlotte, taking the drink and having a sip. "I just hope Ryan agrees with you."

Maria whispered something to Candice that Charlotte didn't quite hear, and then turned to the make up artist, "I'm sure he will."

"I hope so," the blonde sighed dreamily. "Because he's so perfect, and I just want tonight to go well."

The divas exchanged a look, and again Maria whispered something to the other two, that Charlotte didn't quite catch.

"Ok, girls, what's going on?" questioned the make up artist. "Y'all have been acting kind of odd since last night. First of all there was the look you gave me in the bar, when I was telling you about the kiss Ryan and I shared, and then today Maria was questioning me about if Ryan was the right guy for me. Do you not like him or something? Or am I missing a part of the puzzle, because I thought y'all would be happy for me."

Candice looked hastily around the room, and then said, "No, we do like him, Charlie. We're just worried you're falling for him too quickly, is all."

"And so what if I am?" demanded Charlotte, rising from her seat. "Ryan is a nice guy, and I honestly think we could have something special together. Please, can't you just be happy for me?"

"We are," the divas replied in unison.

"We hope you have a great night," assured Kelly, with a slightly forced smile.

"Good, because I've got to go and meet Ryan in the lobby in a minute, and I'd hate to think there's something you're not telling me," returned the blonde, making sure she had her wrap and purse.

"There isn't," insisted Maria, looking across the room. "You go and have a great time. We'll be waiting for you in here when you get back, and then you can tell us all how wonderful it was."

"Ok," said Charlotte, with a grin. "Well, I have my cell with me, in case I need an excuse to leave, but I really doubt I will. I'll see you in a few hours, girls. Have an awesome night, because I know I will."

With one final beaming smile at her friends, Charlotte downed the rest of her wine, and then crossed the hotel bar, and made her way to the lobby. As she did, the blonde caught Jericho's eyes, and the wrestler gave her a strange look that was somewhere between disappointment and aloofness.

Shaking the feeling that something wasn't quite right from her head, the make up artist looked around the lobby for Ryan.

The IT consultant was waiting near the reception desk - wearing a tailored black suit, with a wine coloured tie - and had a large bouquet of red roses in his arms.

"Charlotte," he greeted, extending his arms widely. "These are for you."

"Thank you," replied the blonde, taking the flowers from him and blushing deeply. "They really are beautiful."

"Well, they're only fitting, given how ravishing you look tonight," complimented the dark-haired man.

"Oh, you're too kind," giggled the make up artist, with another blush. "You really do spoil me. Taking a day off and flying out here to see me, and then buying me flowers too. I'm really very honoured."

"It's my pleasure," replied Ryan, taking the make up artist's hand, and leading her outside, and to an available cab, before informing, "I've booked us a table at La Grotta for half an hour's time."

The blonde's eyes widened, La Grotta was one of Richmond's most exclusive Italian restaurants.

"Oh my god, that's wonderful. Whenever I've been in town, I've always wanted to go to La Grotta, but it's constantly been fully booked. How on earth did you get a table there at such short notice?" she asked in awe.

"I have my connections," replied the dark-haired man smoothly, as they climbed into the cab. "So, how was your day at work?"

"It was good, thanks. How about you? What have you done with yourself all day?" returned Charlotte.

"Oh, nothing much, just paperwork, I don't want to bore you with the details though," insisted Ryan, leaning across the seat of the taxi, to kiss the blonde on the cheek. "Tell me more about your day,"

"There's not much to tell really," protested the make up artist. "I had lunch with Candice, Kelly and Maria, and then headed to the arena for the show. It was pretty boring to be honest, apart from the run-in I had with Beth Phoenix. She's one of the divas for the WWE, and for some unknown reason absolutely hates me."

"How could anyone hate you?" asked the IT consultant, turning on the charm, and making the blonde feel like she was the most important person in the world.

"I don't know what it is, she's just a real stuck up bitch. I've never done anything to cross her, and yet she makes it her personal mission to taunt me given any chance she gets. She has a real issue with my figure, and always calls me 'piglet'," sighed the make up artist in reply, feeling a little foolish for confessing all of this to Ryan.

However, the dark-haired man seemed eager to listen, and when she'd finished, he said with a warm smile, "She makes fun of your weight? That's just horrible. I think you look perfect, and I don't see why anyone would say anything different. She's obviously jealous because you're so beautiful," he insisted.

Again, Charlotte turned bright red from the compliment, and then smiled as Ryan took her hand and helped her out of the taxi.

When her eyes fell on the restaurant, she was overwhelmed; it was even more stylish than she'd been told.

The front of the building was adorned with fairy lights, and a red carpet lined the pavement just outside the establishment.

As they were led in by one of the door greeters, the blonde's eyes swept the room. It was a large restaurant, decorated in a modern style, with rich colours. Small, candle-lit tables lined the sumptuous burgundy coloured carpet.

They were shown to their table, which was cozy and looked out onto a small stream, and given complimentary glasses of sparkling water, to drink as they browsed the menu.

"So, what do you fancy?" asked Ryan, looking deeply into Charlotte's blue eyes.

'You,' she thought to herself, but replied, "I don't know. What do you suggest?"

"Well, I was thinking we could share a Tapas platter? That way, we could both try something new," offered Ryan, with a smile, as he took Charlotte's hands.

"Sounds great," beamed the blonde in reply.

The waiter came and took their order, which consisted of an appetizers platter, main course platter and a bottle of the best red wine the bar had to offer. As they waited for their meal to arrive, the couple chatted happily.

The make up artist was blown away by how considerate Ryan was; the IT consultant wanted to know every little detail of her life, and sat enthralled as she told him tales of growing up. The dark-haired man said very little about himself, however, but Charlotte found that just added to the romantic mystery of him.

They continued talking as their meal arrived, and the make up artist couldn't help blushing when Ryan offered her food from his fork. Leaning across the table, the dark-haired male fed the blonde a small piece of feta cheese and an olive.

"You have such pretty lips, I just couldn't resist," he explained, and again the make up artist turned a bright shade of crimson.

Inside, Charlotte was feeling hot, and her head was spinning. It had very little to do with the three glasses of red wine she'd drank, and everything to do with how she was feeling about the man sitting across from her.

It was almost as though the pages from her romance novels had come alive, and the perfect guy had walked right into her life. The blonde couldn't believe her luck.

As they finished their meal, Ryan ordered another bottle of wine, along with a piece of chocolate fudge cake for them to share as dessert.

As the dark-haired male teased the make up artist by running his chocolate covered finger across her lips, Charlotte felt as though she'd died and gone to heaven.

Finally, after finishing a second bottle of wine, the couple took a cab back to the hotel.

"Fancy a drink in the bar?" suggested Ryan, as the arrived in the lobby.

"I have a better idea. How about we have a night cap in my room?" purred Charlotte in reply, her voice husky with alcohol and lust.

"Sounds great," grinned the IT consultant, and so the couple jumped into the elevator, and headed up to the blonde's room.

The make up artist was pleased to discover Ashley wasn't in the shared room, meaning she and Ryan were alone.

As the dark-haired man visited the restroom, the blonde put the coffee maker on and quickly touched up her appearance.

Within seconds of Ryan returning to the room, the coffee was forgotten, as he and Charlotte fell onto the bed, locked passionately at the lips.

Quickly, the situation became heated, as Ryan's hands wondered over Charlotte's quivering body, and the make up artist removed his shirt and tie.

She gasped in delight, seeing his perfectly toned and tanned torso. She really had died and gone to heaven.

Grabbing his belt, Charlotte grinned impishly. However, Ryan withdrew from her embrace, a worried look upon his face.

"I'm sorry, Charlotte, I have an early flight and I really should be leaving," he explained hastily, as he made his way to the door.

"Oh, ok," mumbled the blonde, suddenly feeling very foolish for making assumptions. "When will I see you again?"

"Erm, I don't know," stuttered the dark-haired man, as he backed out of the room. "I'll call you."

As the IT consultant left, Charlotte sat on her bed in stunned silence, utterly perplexed about what had just happened.

They'd had a wonderful evening together, and she thought they'd made a real connection.

'Maybe I came across as too forceful?' she thought to herself. 'Or perhaps Beth is right, and he was disgusted by me.'

Feeling insecure and unsure of herself, Charlotte changed into her bed clothes, snuggled under the duvet, and tried to rid her head of self doubting thoughts. It didn't work, however, and the blonde had a restless night's sleep.


In the days that followed Charlotte and Ryan's date, the blonde became slightly obsessed with the IT consultant. Even after two days, the dark-haired man hadn't called, like promised.

"What's wrong with me?" the make up artist asked her friends over lunch one afternoon.

"Nothing's wrong with you, honey," reassured Maria, embracing the blonde. "He's just a loser, and doesn't know a good thing when he sees one."

"No, something isn't right," protested Charlotte, with a frown. "We made a real connection over dinner. I think I scared him off by inviting him up to my room."

"What guy in their right mind would turn you down?" protested Candice, with a wink.

"You'll see. He'll phone soon with a perfectly logical explanation as to why he hasn't called yet," added Kelly.

However, another day passed, and still Ryan hadn't called Charlotte. The blonde was now becoming increasingly worried, frustrated and insecure.

"Why don't you just call him?" suggested Paulo one afternoon at work, after the make up artist had checked her phone for the twentieth time that day.

"You know, I think I will," said Charlotte, pulling her cell from her purse. "Will you be ok on your own for about ten minutes?"

"If it will stop you whining, of course," replied the hairstylist facetiously. "Now, go get him, tiger."

The blonde giggled, and headed off along to corridor, to find a quiet spot and call Ryan. The make up artist's fingers trembled as she dialled the IT consultant's number.

The phone rang five times, and Charlotte became increasingly worried. Then, suddenly, someone answered.

"Hello? Ryan?" she asked nervously.

"Erm, no, this is Mandy. Can I ask who's calling, please?" came a woman's voice in reply.

Thinking it was just Ryan's personal assistant, the blonde continued speaking. "Oh, hi. This is Charlotte. I was just wondering if Ryan is around, please?

"I don't think I know any Charlottes. Can I ask why you're calling, please?" questioned Mandy, sounding very annoyed.

"Erm...yeah..." stuttered the make up artist, her palms now sweating. "I erm... just wanted to tell Ryan I had a really good time at dinner, and would love to do it again soon."

"Are you a client?" asked the other woman suspiciously. "Or one of my husband's little tarts?"

"One of your what?" asked Charlotte in disbelief, the pieces of the puzzle suddenly falling into place.

"Yes, sweetheart, Ryan is married. But I suppose he didn't share that bit of information with you, did he?" demanded Mandy angrily.

All the color drained from the blonde's face and her palms became slippery with sweat. She'd been such a damn fool.

To be continued...