Thanks for all your great comments. I'm glad you all like the story so far. Here's chapter nine, and I'll be putting up chapter ten right after since I didn't get around to putting one up last night.
"No Strings"
Chapter Nine
As soon as Theresa arrived at the convention center for work Garrison ran over to her.
"Rees, where have you been? You've never been late and today you're showing up almost fifteen minutes late."
"I know Gar, and I'm sorry. I got held up and then the traffic was moving slow. I would have been on time if it hadn't been for the traffic."
It was then that Garrison noticed something different about Theresa. Something he hadn't seen in a long time. "Oh my God. Girl, you got laid, didn't you?"
Theresa feigned innocence. "What are you talking about Gar?"
"Rees, you seem to forget that I can read you like a book. And I haven't seen you like this since the last time you had sex."
"Like what? I honestly have no idea what you're talking about." She did know, but there was no way she was gonna tell Garrison that she'd spent the night with a man she'd just met and had sex with him twice.
"You have this, I dunno, glow to you. It's the very common "sex glow".
Theresa laughed at Garrison. "Sex glow, huh? Well, I think you're getting you're wires crossed or something, because I did not have sex."
"You did so. Rees, I know you like I know myself and I know that you had sex last night. The question is, with whom?"
Theresa was about to speak when someone called her name from across the room. Grateful for the interruption she turned to Garrison and apologized before running over to the woman who had called out to her.
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When lunchtime rolled around Theresa tried to beat Garrison to the limo so she wouldn't have to put up with his comments and questions. But luck was not on her side, as he was already sitting in the limo when she arrived at it.
"Hey Rees, we were just waiting for you. Where do you want to go for lunch?" he asked with a smirk.
"I dunno. How does Chinese sound?"
"Perfect. Hey Pat, we're doing Chinese, so head to the nearest good restaurant," he shouted to the front.
"Will do guys. Be about ten minutes or so," Pat answered back.
Just as Garrison was about to talk Theresa's cell phone rang. She gave him a smile and answered.
"Hello."
"Hey Theresa, its Fox."
"Hey Fox. To what do I owe this pleasure?" She looked over at Garrison just as he was mouthing Fox to her with a questioning look. She waved him away and listened to Fox.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that I have a meeting this afternoon, so I may not be home when you get there. I'll put the extra key under the plant next to the front door, so you can just use it to get in."
"Alright. After work I'll have to go back to the hotel and get my stuff and check out. Do you want me to pick something up for dinner?"
"Nope. Actually I was gonna take you and Garrison out tonight. If that's alright."
"Sounds terrific. I'll see if Gar wants to bring a date."
"Sure, I wouldn't want him to feel like a third wheel or anything. Well, I'm gonna let you go since you're probably eating lunch. Give me a call when you get to the apartment if I'm not there to let me know you got in okay, alright?"
"I will Fox. Talk to you later." She ended the call when he said bye and put the phone back in her purse.
"Alright, who is Fox? What's this about you getting your things and checking out of the hotel? And what about me bringing a date?" Garrison bombarded her with the questions.
Knowing she had no choice but to fill Garrison in, she started answering the questions in the order he'd asked them. "Well, Fox is the guy from the Pier that first night we were here, you know, the one that I ate lunch with at the bistro the other day."
"Okay, yeah, I remember him. So what does he have to do with you checking out of the hotel?"
She was about to answer when the limo stopped. "I'll tell you in the restaurant."
They got out of the car and Pat took off, telling them he'd be back in an hour to pick them up. The restaurant was pretty busy since it was lunch time, but there were still quite a few empty tables. The hostess sat them immediately and they looked over the menus quickly.
"Okay Rees. Finish your story."
"Alright, alright. Pushy today, aren't we? Okay, so the day I ate lunch with Fox I gave him my cell number and told him to give me a call anytime. He called me last night and asked me to go to a club with him. You know I can't turn down dancing, so I said yes. We went to this incredible club over on Hollywood and Highland. Gar, this guy is like practically a celebrity. He's rich and he can get into anything without waiting."
Their waitress showed up and they placed their orders. Once they were alone Theresa continued.
"So, we were dancing for a little while when we both started getting antsy, if you know what I mean. His place was close, so we went there and you already know what happened then, you guessed it this morning."
Garrison was completely shocked at her guileless. "You mean that you did sleep with someone last night, and it was this Fox guy?"
"Yep. Then, this morning we were talking about me moving in, just jokingly, for the rest of the week. But after thinking about it, I decided that I was going to stay there with him. That's why I'm checking out of the hotel this afternoon. I know it's being paid for by the magazine, but they'll get their money back."
"I can't believe this. I've always known you to be spontaneous, but this is unusual even for you Theresa."
"I know it is Gar, but there's just something about Fox that makes me feel good. And I'm not just talking about the sex. If I lived here, I would start a relationship with him. But since I don't, it's only for the week. And you'll get to see what a nice guy he is tonight, because he's taking us out to dinner. So, if you want you can bring a date or buddy with you."
Garrison was still so shocked about the news she'd just spilled that he was speechless. He just stared at her across the table as they ate their lunch. For the rest of the meal the only conversation was about the fashion convention. After paying the bill they headed out into the hot and humid California air.
Pat had not yet arrived to take them back, so they walked to a nearby vendor and each got a small ice cream cone. Theresa engaged herself into eating her ice cream before it melted, but soon noticed Garrison staring intently at her.
"What is it Gar? Do I have ice cream on my nose or something?" she asked reaching up to feel her face.
"No, you don't. I just can't believe that you're the same Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald I know from Harmony. I mean, you're no prude or anything, but you've also never voluntarily offered to stay at some guy's house that you've only known for a couple days. What gives Rees?"
Theresa had not told Garrison about the "Man To Do" message board and that it was why she was being so cavalier about moving in with Fox for a week. "Nothing gives Gar. I just like the sex and it'd be easier to do it while living there than not, right?" she said with a shrug. "Besides, I already told you that there's something different about him."
"Jeez girl, this is definitely not a side I've seen of you before. And I honestly can't say I like it. What if something happens to you while you stay there? For all you know this guy could be some serial rapist or something."
"Garrison, he is not a serial rapist. He's a very nice and sweet guy. And I got the impression from the club last night that he's also very well respected."
Garrison was about to reply when the black limo pulled up beside them. Pat got out quickly and opened the rear door for them to get in. After sitting and putting on her seatbelt Theresa turned to Garrison. "No more bad talk about Fox, please. You'll see tonight just how good a guy he is, I promise."
The drive back to the convention center was quiet. Theresa knew that Garrison was upset about her moving in with Fox, but there was nothing he could do about it. She was a grown woman who could look out for herself.
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