Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Time...just didn't seem like it was moving fast enough for Harley or Richie. They just wanted to be together. Harley did things to keep her busy, so time would pass. It was Wednesday night and she had dinner plans with her dear friend, Brad Paisley. There was a restaurant in Nashville, Paul's Chophouse, that Brad was contemplating on buying. Very elegant and he wanted Harley to check it out.

Brad picked her up at 7pm, keeping conversation light until they were seated. Being seated right in the front window. Harley didn't give it any thought, as she had been able to roam around her hometown with little fame problems. Occasionally, the two of them would get a few fans wanting autographs and that never bothered the two of them. They ordered they're drinks and Brad began to order them wine, when Harley stopped him, "I'll just have iced tea with lemon, please."  Brad looked at her shocked. "Since when do you pass up a great bottle of wine?" he asked. "I just don't want any this time." she answered defensively. But Brad wasn't stupid, he began putting the puzzle together in his head. "So, how's things with Sambora?". As soon as she heard "Sambora" her face lit up with an amazing smile. "Good!" she said. "Good?" he asked. "That's it? Good? With the way your face is glowing, I'd say it was far better than 'Good'!" Harley laughed, "That obvious?" she asked. "Extremely! Richie would have been pleased to see your reaction."
"He invited me back this weekend, to meet his Mom and daughter. I'll be going with him to the Golden Heart Awards on Monday." Brad's eyebrows went up. "Meeting the fam already? How do you feel about that? I mean you've only had one weekend with him and that was really only one day!" Brad tried to keep his cool about it, but it was difficult. He really didn't want to see her put all her eggs in one basket on her first time out dating. "I'm scared to death! But I'm utterly crazy about him! So I'll do it!" Brad sat forward in his chair and took her hand and she knew this was turning into a very serious talk. "Honey, I know your lonely and I know you miss Tim and desperately want that kind of love and relationship again. But maybe Richie sin't "that" guy." he said. She began to shake her head and started to pull her hand away from his, but he held it tighter. "Just stop and listen to me for a minute, ok?" he asked of her. "Ok, I'm listening, but it's not gonna change anything, Brad!" she informed him.
"Richie has been through so much with his divorce and his dad dying. It's hardened him a bit. Not to mention he has a very big reputation for being a ladies man. All I'm saying is just play the field. Your putting all your eggs in one basket with this one and he may be enthralled with you now, but with him, that could change in a flash. I just don't want to see you hurt in any way. Do you get what I'm saying to you at all, Harley?" Harley understood completely. Brad's warning wasn't anything she hadn't thought of herself. She explained that to Brad. Letting him know that she is fully aware of Richie's past and she wasn't doing anything unguarded. "It just feels good and right at this moment. So please, Brad, relax and let me do this without a constant lecture or chastising me. Please?" Brad nodded and let go of her hand, "Agreed!" he said. "Thank you!" she said. Then going on to tell of her sushi experience, which made Brad laugh. She just wanted Brad to understand that she wasn't jumping into this because she was lonely or trying to replace Tim. She was truly happy and Richie was a wonderful man.

As they were about to place their order, several flashes of camera's started going off in the window. Brad stood up and looked out the window. It was a pure paparazzi fest outside. One of them managed to get inside the restaurant and started yelling at Harley, "Where's Richie tonight, Harley? Are you dating Brad too?". Brad quickly grabbed Harley out of her seat, knowing he had to get her out of there as soon as he could. The manager took them through the kitchen and had a car pull up at the back door to drive them quickly away. Breathless and near tears, as Harley wasn't used to this sort of thing. Brad looked at her, "Are you ok?". Harley nodded and Brad continued, "Honey, this is what your going to go through with him. Are you prepared for this?" A tear streamed down her face, "Yeah, I guess I'll have to be more careful from now on. It will be ok." she tried to reassure him.
"But will YOU be ok?" he asked. "Yes! I just need to call him." When they got to Harley's house, she wasn't able to get into her yard, as there were so many reporters and paparazzi there. They both went to Brad's. He took her inside and got her a drink, "I guess you are staying here for awhile tonight." he told her. "That's fine. They will leave soon." Harley covered with a blanket on the couch and drank her soda. Trying to stop shaking. She couldn't help but wonder if Richie knew this was happening. Should she call him? Not wanting to seem like a little girl who couldn't handle what would come with this, she opted to not call him and wait it out. She never wanted him more.