LOVE AT THE FORUM

Chapter 5: Woodsy, Warm, Vanilla

I made my way to Trader Joe's the next day to buy Harry more of the dried fruit snacks he liked, and Anita's voice kept playing in my head.

I shook my head in frustration and took a deep breath. It was my job to be friendly with the artist, and I always made great friendships with them. This wasn't new to my job, it was part of my job.

And Charles could flirt, he was just shy about it. He was different when we were in private versus around other people, that was it. It didn't mean he couldn't flirt. I took a deep breath, rolling my eyes. I didn't have to defend myself, I knew what I was doing,

I got out of my car and ran into Trader Joe's, I grabbed four bags of every kind they had, quickly paying and hopping back in my car.

When I got to the Forum, I was an hour early, and I felt on high alert. I didn't want to run into Harry today. I would set up his dressing room, unlock everything, then sit in my office. Anita could run the show tonight. I trusted her.

I unlocked all the dressing rooms, before getting to Harry's. I walked inside and it smelled like him. This woodsy vanilla smell, that was almost smokey. I bit my lower lip, hating that I noticed that, wondering if it was something I noticed for other artists well.

I swear Anita is going to make my head explode.

I thought to myself, restocking the snacks and adding some more water and diet cokes. Anita had cleaned up most of the room last night so there wasn't much left for me to do in here. I grabbed the room spray, and before I sprayed the room, I found myself taking in one final sniff of the scent I knew belonged to Harry.

Margarita, what's wrong with you!

I rolled my eyes at my inner voice and sprayed the room spray until I couldn't smell his woodsy scent any longer.

I turned to walk out, heading in the opposite direction of the stage. I didn't need to lay out there today, I could take a nap in my office.

I pulled out my phone and text Anita and Charles in a group chat.

M: I have office work I need to catch up on. Anita, you run the show. You know what to do, come get the binder when you get here.

Just looping Charles in so he's aware.

A few minutes later Anita texted me outside of the group chat.

A: Are you okay?

M: I'm fine. Just don't feel like being on my feet today.

A: I'm sorry if it's because of what I said yesterday.

M: Nita, please stop. I'm just tired.

Charles liked my message and I sighed, walking like I couldn't get to my office quick enough.

—

Later that evening there was a knock on my door and I checked my phone. There was an hour and a half before Harry would be rolled out, I hoped everything was okay.

"Come in," I yelled out.

I finished up the email on my computer as the door opened. I was caught off guard by the pink suit entering my room, and even more off guard when I saw it was Harry walking in.

"What are you doing here? You have a show to prepare for!" I said, glancing over only briefly, erasing and retyping the same email ending.

"I know, I just wanted to thank you for the fruit snacks, and since I don't normally see you after the show, I asked Anita where I could find you."

Anita, of course.

I thought to myself. I stopped typing and turned to look at him with a soft smile, "Well, you're welcome. It's my job, you know. Just making sure it gets done."