Chapter 5: Woodsy, Warm, Vanilla

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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."

His gaze felt so strong today and I turned back to my computer.

"Will I run into you on the stage tomorrow?" He said as he picked up one of the frames on my desk, holding a picture of my mom, sister and I.

I followed his hand as he brought the frame up and smiled at it, "Umm, possibly. If I catch up on my office work."

I already had of course, I wasn't even behind to begin with and this could have all been done on my phone.

"Are these your sisters?" He asked and I chuckled.

"My mom would have really liked that one. It's my mom and sister, actually. My mom had me when she was really young."

"You all seriously look like triplets."

I nodded chewing on my lip, "My mom always joked that when my dad left, we prayed all of his looks away. I used to literally be his twin."

I looked down then back at my computer. I never talked about my dad. Not even to Charles.

Why did I willingly just disclose that?

It's because he makes everything weirdly comfortable. Just like yesterday on the stage.

"Well, she raised a lovely lady. A little sarcastic, but hard working." He smiled at me and I refused to look at him.

"Thank you." I continued staring at the screen. I felt so rude, but I didn't know what else to do.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as he set the photo down, and licked his lips before speaking, "Well thanks again Maggie, I should head back down. Have a good rest of your night."

"Thanks Harry, have a good show." I turned to him, managing a small smile before he left and closed the door behind him.

I folded my arms in front of my resting my forehead on them, "I just wanna go home." I said to no one in particular.

The concert was about at its halfway point when I emerged in the dressing rooms hallway. I forgot I had ordered Crumbl cookies for everyone to celebrate such a smooth opening week since we only had one more show left this week.

I grabbed my cart from the hall closet and walked to the backstage exit. The delivery man helped me load up the cart and I signed the shipping slip.

I made my way back into the hall, stopping in the middle and sitting on the floor. I pulled my stationary cards, Harry's pen and my air pods out of my cargo pants pocket. I popped my headphones in and began writing a small note on them.

Thank you for a great week! Here's to the ones to come, Love Mags!

I had written about five when I felt a shadow hovering over me, I peaked up and saw Charles standing over me.

I took out my headphones and gave him a half smile, "Hi Charles."

"Hey, Mags." He said sitting down next to me, as I put my air pods back in their case.

"You alright?" He studied my face.

"Yeah, I just felt a headache coming in earlier, I needed a nap to be honest."

"I went out to look for you on the stage, but only found Harry."

"Oh." I said quietly, continuing to write my notes and not making eye contact.

Suddenly his words from yesterday played in my head.

You and Harry seem to be hitting it off.

I felt panic fill my chest and I closed my eyes.

What if Anita told him something?

I quickly shook the thought from my head, feeling ridiculous for this even being such a big deal. Plus, Anita knew how Charles felt about me, she wouldn't do that.

"Do you need help attaching those?" Charles asked, snapping me back to reality.

I looked at him and nodded, "If you don't mind, the tapes on the cart," I smiled softly, handing him the cards that were done.

With Charles' help, I finished attaching the cards quickly and placed them in each dressing room.

When we were finished I felt myself chewing excessively on my lip and took a deep breath turning to face Charles.

"Can I go home?" I heard myself plead.

"Are you okay?" He moved closer to me, his eyes full of concern.

I nodded quickly, "Yeah, my headache is just starting again."

"Margarita." He said, and I swallowed knowing full well he only called me that before he was going to tell me he loved me, or when he was truly concerned. I hoped it was the latter.

"Charlie."

He stared at me for a second and took a step back, "That's fine, I'll stick around in case someone needs something."

"Thank you."

He smiled, waving me off, and I quickly turned to grab my stuff from my office so I could leave.

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