Body Shop Repair (gxg)

Chapter 12

So evidently Billie was my new alarm clock. Or more to the point, Erin getting off with him every morning was. I don't know if he worked nights and came to see her in the mornings, or he was a neighbor that popped over early before work, but damn did he and Erin like morning sex! I'm glad she was happy though, she certainly seemed chipper anyway.

The last two days of my time away from everyone had been spent productively. I'd done some shopping to get food for snacks and stuff. Erin was a decent cook, and I knew how to make a few things, so we would alternate food nights when we weren't going out to eat. I had my few bottles of wine for sipping in the evenings, though as little as I drank, I knew that would last a while, and I got some supplies for laundry and toiletries since I was in a more permanent situation. Oh, and I moved my bed to the other side of the room. I'd probably still hear Erin, but not quite as loudly.

All in all, I was feeling pretty good. Except for the whole Max was hunting me thing. Yes, I'd taken Casey's advice and put the pepper spray all over, so I felt a little better about that. I also had a stun gun on my bedside table, and another in my purse.

Erin turned out to be one of the sweetest people I'd ever met. She didn't need a roommate, her job paid enough to cover the rent on her own, but there was nothing wrong with saving money, and she said she got lonely on her own. I guess Billie wasn't good company? Maybe he was just a booty call, though she seemed pretty innocent. Had I not heard her every morning I would have assumed she was single!

She could also make some great tacos! I admit, I could only make some of those browned ground beef and store bought spice packets and shells combos. But she got the soft taco shells, cilantro and onion and then made a nice, shredded chicken that was delicious! Fuck I needed to learn how to make that, because as much as I wanted tacos, I'd eat out every night if I could. But learning how to make good ones at the apartment would be a great way to save a little money! I counted my lucky stars that I'd seen her ad for a roommate, because she was exactly what I needed. I could see her being a friend of mine for a long time!

The first morning I had to go into the office, my Billie alarm once more woke me up, though this time I didn't go back to sleep. I got up, stretched, and then brushed my teeth before getting into the shower, making sure everything was shaved and looking good for the agency. I wasn't sure if we were going to jump right into the next round of photos, but I wanted to look good.

I missed Erin and Billie leaving, but I made myself a nice batch of cheesy scrambled eggs and toast to make sure I had a good meal before the shoot. I'd learned quickly that it took a lot of energy to pose for hours, and I'd need the energy! Once done, I cleaned everything up and got on my way.

I waved at Paulina when I walked through the front door, only to stop in my tracks when she walked around her desk to give me a big hug. "Welcome back Trish! We missed you!"

"Thanks Paulina!" I squeezed back, quickly enjoying the difference in attitude from the San Francisco agency. This place might be small, but it really was like a little family, and I enjoyed that so much! "Is everyone here today?"

She started to nod, then changed her mind. "Everyone but Izzy. Jeremy said she had a dizzy spell, so she wouldn't be here."

Fuck! She was the one I wanted to see! "Okay. Do you know the schedule?"

"Yep. Lila should have put some swimsuits in your changing room. You're going to start getting some of your looks up on the web site. Tia has a surprise for you tomorrow too." She had a grin on her face that made me think she knew exactly what that surprise was.

"Do I get a hint?" I wondered. "I really suck at waiting!"

"No way! Tia would kill me if I spoiled it!"