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!"

"Fine. But I'm going to pout a lot, so be prepared!" I warned her as I headed down the hallway towards the beach.

"Pout at Tia! It isn't my decision!" Paulina called after me.

I just grinned to myself as I walked past the abandoned sandy set up. It looked sad with nobody using it, but I knew that would be changing soon. I walked into my changing room, putting my purse down on the table and then doing a double take as I noticed a familiar travel mug on the vanity. I felt it, and it was still nice and hot, though this time there was no note. I missed the note, it had been a sweet touch the previous times, but I took a sip of the coffee, and it was pretty good, though off a little. Maybe they had too much sweetener? Or a different bean? It was both sweet and bitter if that was possible. I took a few more sips, and it seemed close enough, so I just shrugged and started getting ready.

There were half a dozen bathing suits hanging up, and one of them was a gorgeous white one piece that I just had to try on. It may have been one piece, but that piece wasn't very wide, and had some strategically placed cut outs to make it even sexier. Damn, I wondered idly if Tia would let me keep this one too? But then I noticed a stunning orange bikini that I loved too, and I couldn't decide. Hell, I was doing a shoot for the web site, so I guess I'd be in both of them sooner or later! I polished off the coffee and then started slipping into the white suit.

I checked it out in the full length mirror, turning this way and that, and liked the look. Honestly, as much as I loved bikinis, this might be my new favorite! I was just about to head out to the beach when I stopped short. My stomach gave a sudden lurch and I whirled and flew over to the toilet in the bathroom. I'd barely made it when the remains of breakfast spewed from my throat, burning as tears poured from my eyes. Fuck, I hated throwing up!

Evidently my body decided that it didn't want to stop vomiting until I'd lost everything since the San Francisco trip. Every time I thought I was done, I'd have another spasm and it would start all over. I don't know how long I was in there praying for it to stop before Amy came looking for me.

"Trish, they're ready for.... Oh damn, are you okay?" She was immediately kneeling next to me, belatedly trying to hold my hair back, not that it mattered anymore because I knew I needed a shower.

"I don't know," I groaned pitifully. "I can't stop puking!"

"I'll let everyone know, then I'll come help get you cleaned up, okay?" She gently rubbed my back and then left the room. That was very sweet of her, but at this point I just wanted my body to stop rebelling against me. I needed a shower in the worst way, and maybe a nap.

Amy was back in just a few minutes, and after my guts had stopped churning for about ten minutes, she helped me to the shower. I already had the bathing suit on, so I just got in and washed my hair and face, since that was the messy part.

"Can you get me some water please?" I asked. I rinsed my mouth out several times with the water from the shower, but I needed real water to drink before I got dehydrated.

"Of course! Stay in here, I'll get you dried off and into the bed!" Amy commanded as she ran out to get me some water.

It wasn't far from the little kitchen area, so she was back quickly with a bottle of water, and I greedily sucked half of it down. I just hoped I wouldn't throw that up too, though it was hard to tell. My stomach was still a mess, and I'd been throwing up for almost an hour. I turned off the water, and she wrapped me up in a couple of towels, then led me to the bed. She pulled back the covers and helped get me in, then put the bottle of water on the table next to me.

"Thanks Amy, I needed that," I murmured.

I heard a little thump. "Here, I put the trash can next to the bed, just in case. Your phone is next to the water too. You try to get some sleep."

"I will. Tell Tia I'm sorry."

"Don't be. We all get sick. It's obvious you weren't faking it!" Amy snickered. "Just rest and get better, okay?"

"Yeah, okay. Thanks again."

Amy left, turning out the light, and the room was plunged into darkness. I reached over to my phone, then put on some soft music to rest to. I turned the phone light on and leaned over the bed to make sure I knew where the trash can was and noticed a flash of pink at the bottom of it. Curious, I reached down and grabbed it. It was a little note card, like the ones I'd seen before with my coffee, though obviously this one wasn't next to the mug.

"Welcome back! I can't wait to see you, I missed you so much!"

Such a simple card, and yet it warmed my heart. But wait, Izzy was supposed to be sick with dizzy spells! How was there a card here? My head was spinning itself from fatigue, and I just held the little card tight against me as I drifted off to sleep.