Pearl settled into the hot bath and put the cool wine bottle on her forehead. The day had been overwhelming to say the least. Rhys dropped her at her apartment on the way home from seeing his new giant mansion. He had a meeting in Chicago that evening and wouldn't be back until late into the night. He offered to stop by when he got back into town but she told him she was happy to have some time to herself after the day they had. He understood and he kissed her forehead and told her he'd see her tomorrow. She checked her phone and she still hadn't heard back from Dylan. It bothered her. The whole thing bothered her. His reaction to her at the brewery and his lack of a response. It really bothered her. Why would he work so hard to build a bond with her and say all those things just to go back to being a dick? Her phone dinged and she saw it was a text from David. "You've been on my mind. I just wanted you to know that. I miss you. I hope you've had a good week." Pearl didn't know how

Pearl woke up to him gathering his things. "Good morning." Pearl said, half awake. "Hey...morning. Sorry. I gotta go." Dylan said. "You have to go?" She looked at her phone. "But it's like 6:30 in the morning?" "I know, I'm sorry. I have to be somewhere" "Ok" said Pearl. And she heard her door close behind him. "Well, I guess that's that." She said out loud. That was not the wake up she expected. He gave her the morning ditch. And she deserved it. She never should have went through with that. It seems he was either completely terrified that it happened and felt awkward or he was just using her and bailed. Either way, it made her feel like shit. She fell back into bed and back asleep. She woke up at noon. She never slept in that late. These last few weeks had been a whirlwind. She had managed to sleep with a movie star, her boss and one of her best friends who was also a virgin. And the virgin ditched her right after it. When she listed it

Pearl chased after Rhys, "Wait! Hey. Don't leave  like this." She said breathlessly when she caught up with him.  "It's ok. I meant it. I understand, it's only been a few weeks. You owe me nothing. Not even an explanation." "I don't want to be with anyone else right now, tonight, at this moment, but you" Pearl said "You brought Jason here. You stood up for me. I don't want you to go." "Do you love him?" Rhys asked again. "I care about him. I'm not in love with him." Rhys searched her eyes, begging them for the truth. "Do you care about me in that way?" He asked. "I am falling more and more for you every day. You are light. And full of life. You're an incredible human. Yes. I care very deeply for you." Pearl said. "I believe you. I believe you do." Rhys answered. They got into the cab and left. Dylan ran out into the parking lot, but Pearl and Rhys were gone. John wasn't far behind him. "They left" Dylan said, still facing forward

It was still dark as Pearl rolled from the side of the giant four post bed and tiptoed into the master bathroom. Everything had happened so fast. She looked in the mirror, replaying it in her mind. Her abrupt attempt to leave. David following her out into the street and kissing her, the rain soaking them through. Him telling her to get in his car and out of the rain. How they sat there in silence until David started the engine and drove her to his house. She had protested but he didn't react to it at all. How they walked up the stairs, through his door, and without saying a word, he began removing her wet clothes, layer by layer, and never taking his eyes off of hers. The silence between them had been deliberate and intense. She stood there, naked in his foyer, her hair wet and her makeup running down her face. The look he gave her as he took her hand and led her to his bedroom, still in silence. How he had made love to her with the intensity and desire that only he could. "I'm not

John decided the band should get together sooner than later and suggested they have a quick meeting that evening. Pearl agreed and went home after work to relax a little before hand. She ran a bath and tried to clear her head. This entire month had been a rollercoaster ride. Spending most of her adult life with one man who barely showed any kind of adoration or care to having 3 men claiming she was worth loving and valued, was not something she was prepared for. She really didn't possess the skills to manage this properly and she knew it. She was naive. She was vulnerable and coming from a place of serious self doubt and years of damage. She was between wanting to be the defensive and isolated woman she only knew herself to be and this newly empowered and desired woman she barely recognized in the mirror. Add to that an opportunity in the works to really do something with her music. Her ife was turning around for the better and she struggled feeling she truly deserved it.