Chapter 44

"You sound a bit tired this morning, Ms. Ferguson," Gia, the temp that had been working as Lucy's receptionist at the Austin studio, observed.

"Well, the king of the manor is back home until at least Sunday," Lucy replied. "He not only took his half out of the bed, he also stole most of the covers. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep."

"Sounds like my own husband," Gia laughed.

"Oh, it gets better, Gia. He also got two ferrets recently. James and Howard. I never thought I'd be that crazy about the creatures, but to be honest, they're the most entertaining things because one of them walks and keeps tripping and falling."

"James and Howard?"

"Spanky named one of them. Long ass story. And then there is the dog, Xomat. Never a dull moment when I'm down here, that is for sure."

"No wonder you're tired," Gia replied.

"Don't worry; this is mild compared what poor Paul goes through on a day to day basis. The worst part about his job is the few hours he gets of sleep. If he's not working, he's working out. When he isn't working out, he has some kind of party, autograph signing, and everywhere the poor man goes--with me or not--when Paul does get some free time, people want autographs, so he may get four or five hours of sleep a night."

"Good lord. It's a wonder the man is functioning at all."

Lucy nodded in agreement. "And don't get me started on him wanting to go on midnight runs. He's had to cut back on that with his foot problem, though."

"And he's still going through with that match at the PPV?"

"Believe it or not, yes. But anyone that's known him for years say the same thing: he's a tough cookie. He's also been very lucky over those years not to sustain a serious injury. Just the thought of him tearing a pectoral muscle or breaking his neck makes me want to shudder."

"I can almost imagine. Oh, by the way, while on the subject of work, Mr. Spencer called right before you arrived."

"Really? Did he say what he wanted?"

"Something about Cosmopolitan wanting to do an interview with you when you're back up north," Gia nodded.

"Dear God," Lucy sighed. "I'm not sure what that is going to be about, but I may as well call Owen back before he pesters me into next year."

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"Looks like they may change some stuff in the match," Spanky typed to Shelly that afternoon. "I can't go into details without get my and Paul's asses in trouble with the bosses, but I can say the writers are busting their chops with the last minute changes."

"But it's still happening?" Shelly typed back.

"Yup."

"Lucy's still in Austin," Shelly pointed out. "I got an email from her when she checked in. When she doesn't call, she'll email. I just wish she'd get back here; I'm bored as shit."

"I don't think she'll be back if Paul's wearing her out. LOL."

"You're sick," Shelly typed, laughing at the screen. "Anyway, I talked to the temp down there a few times. She seems like a very nice girl."

"Gia? Yeah, she's hot. Just my rotten luck she's married."

"Yeah, Luce told me about your engagement being broken off. She didn't get into any details, though."

"Yep. Me and Taylor ended last April. Don't ask why; me and her are still friends. I just don't see us being together for life."

"Don't worry; there's some good soul out there for you. Then again, if all else fails, maybe Lucy will share Paul. HA HA!!! I kid!!!!"

"No way; me and Paul are not gay for each other, I promise. I don't row that boat. But you know, Lucy's been damn good for him. Yeah, they get shit with the age difference thing, but he couldn't have done better for himself. Between you and me, Shell, Paul loves curves and Lucy's got plenty of those. Add to that that she's got a good head on her shoulders, could care less about his paycheck and his status, and doesn't bitch that she only sees him 50 days out of the year. She also pays half the rent on his apartment when she's there--though Paul says she really doesn't have to, isn't one of those chicks parked on his couch doing nothing except eating his food, yelling and cursing at him, expecting Paul to do everything for her. Nope, Lucy makes him feel like he's king of the world instead of telling him he's nothing, that he should be thankful she was even dating him."

"I totally agree. And he's been great for Lucy too. She's become a lot easier to work with and for since she and Paul have been together. A lot of us owe him big time!"

"Add to all of that Lucy doesn't go around trying to put stupid shit into his head, and blabbing his personal stuff. Honest to God, I think he found his soul mate. Sometimes I think she knows more of Paul's secrets than I do, and I've known the dude for like a hundred years. She's even got Chester spoiled rotten."

"Chester?"

"My cat. The laziest, fattest, most annoying cat ever."

"Oh, okay. Yeah, Lucy loves animals. She had a couple of leopard Bengal cats before they both died. She didn't get any more after that, but she did tell me Paul got some ferrets in addition to his puppy."

"Yeah, between the animals and Paul, Lucy could pick up another skill as a zoo keeper."

"Oh, you're terrible! LOL."

"Nah, me and Paul rag on each other all the time. He knows I'm goofing."

"If people only knew…."

"That Paul's a freak? Maybe someone didn't get the memo. I thought that was common knowledge."

"Oh I think I have the general idea from the few times I have talked to him," Shelly typed. "But he and Lucy are a case in point that opposites really do attract."

"You are so not kidding there, Shell," Spanky agreed. "And that 'opposite' is probably the best damn thing that ever happened to him."